We had the good fortune of connecting with Aaliyah Mcperison and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Aaliyah, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was to start a business with a purpose that was unique and helpful to others. My candle brand helps my customers prevent the burning toxic candles that are handmade and highly scented with love and care and a Black owned Candle brand. I also started my We Are The Culture Page to create a safe space to show love to the Black Culture through our Artistry, Art, Celebrities, businesses, community, Heritage, and Holidays. The point of starting my Business and We Are The Culture page, is to show the strength, Value, and Power of the Black Community. Plus the many contributions we bring to society. We are more than the color of our skin and what they try to shape us to be. Building my businesses showed me that I’m just as worthy, intelligent, innovative, passionate, creative, and powerful as everybody else. I want my people to see and believe it too.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My business is my prize possessions because I’m proud of it and proud of myself for taking on a big chance of becoming an entrepreneur. My businesses is like one of the biggest projects I’m working on because everyday I’m building my self and my businesses up to succeed. I’m determined to have a successful business and career. Although I made a big leap and pursuing this career I’m so excited for what’s to come because I know the hard work I put in will pay off. It was not easy to start nor is it easy to continue but I refuse to give up on myself, my businesses, and my people that put in the support for me to do it. Everyone knows starting and maintaining a business isn’t easy and comes with many challenges. How I got over these challenges is by getting through them and never giving up. My businesses and challenges taught me that giving up will get me nowhere. If I don’t continue how do I know what’s to come or may never reap the benefits of the hard work I put In and who wants that?! So I gotta give it all I got! So I want the world to know me as a determined and strong willed business woman with successful businesses that never gave up.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My Favorite spots in the city to go to that I would recommend is The Brooklyn Museum and Met Gala Museum because they show case a lot of culture there, especially Black Culture. Central Park is another nice place to be during the day because it has a lot of things to do and see in the park. A lot of times they have events that go on in the park plus the Park is huge and beautiful! Another lit spot is Times Square because that’s the center of NYC culture with all the views, businesses, attractions, and people. Theres a lot of Poppin and fancy lounges and Hookah Spots in Manhattan. FYI Brooklyn is one of the most lit borough for the culture especially the black culture with many different cultural restaurants and lounges. My favorite restaurants to eat out at is The city is The Smiths, Burgers and Lobsters, Phillips Aka Philippe Chow, Tony’s Italian Restaurant, La Contenta Mexican Restaurant and Dos caminos Mexican Restaurant. There’s so much attractions to see in NYC because it’s so big plus the other boroughs it’s different worth the visit. We are one the best cultural city’s to visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shout-out to my family and close friends for being the first group of people that were supporting me and giving me the push to start my businesses. If it wasn’t for them purchasing and being apart of the brands I don’t think I would’ve continued to pursue my career because I had many doubts but with their support I continued. So if you were a family member and close friend that purchased, supported, liked, comment, and shared my businesses, I LOVE and THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart! I also want to thank the entrepreneurs for supporting me as well you are greatly appreciated! And lastly to my Tribe/ customers I love y’all and appreciate y’all! Thank you for believing in my businesses and taking the chance on us!

Website: https://linktr.ee/Prettythangleee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leescandles/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaliyah-mcperison-10688421a

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leescandleshop/

Other: https://instagram.com/wearetheculturee_?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== https://wearetheeculturee.wixsite.com/wearetheculture https://leescandles.square.site/

Image Credits
Leescandles are my pictures from my candle brand leescandles Canvas.com for the other black photos are from canvas Black Lives Matter.com and google for the Black Lives Matter sign Melvin Charles and Gleason T. Jackson And google of the African American Flag Picture of my self is from me Aaliyah Mcperison

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