Meet Marquita & Chasity Millen | Owners

We had the good fortune of connecting with Marquita & Chasity Millen and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Marquita & Chasity, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process began over a decade ago with the establishment of our personal brands that uniquely defined our individual visions of creating a line of natural body care products, handcrafted jewelry, herbal remedies, aromatics, and services (classes/workshop/spiritual advisory) that assist you on your spiritual journey. We wanted to share our personal experiences and wisdom with the world and so we started online businesses to help fulfill that desire. Many of our clients/customers knew us individually but did not get the full scope because they were only able to experience portions of the complete vision. We are both, respectively, a powerhouse but the “…aha, I definitely understand now” becomes all the more apparent as you witness our energy united. The sweet and the strong, the wise one, the warrior, the ethereal and the tangible, to feel the microcosm in the macrocosm and vice versa. Much of our individual foundation and life mirrored/reflected one anothers and a common thread was our love for the book (one of many!) The Alchemist. After many events, comments & suggestions, and desires to expand we felt it was only befitting to bring both of our individual businesses together and allow our vision encapsulate an even larger collection that spoke to who we are, what we incorporate into our daily lives, and create a space that allowed us to encourage the inner alchemist in the individual and community as a whole as well. Thus, nestled alongside the railway of what natives refer to as Bankhead Highway, in a beautifully quaint but nearly forsaken corner of Austell, GA(just outside of Atlanta), The Alchemist Den was born.

What should our readers know about your business?
We simply do what we love and love is what we do. No really, if you have ever read The Alchemist, then you understand we are quite literally our legend and the journey of our manifestations speak to our alchemy and vice versa, the alchemy of our journey is evident in the power of our manifestations.

It looked alot easier to the outside world than it was. When we started with the vision for The Alchemist Den, we had lists and drawings of what we wanted the space to entail. Rough drafts and vision boards that spoke to what we wanted to manifest. We had been actively looking for a physical retail space that was 1000% us for nearly 3 years. Nothing seemed to fully fit our vision and at times it was frustrating ( remember “HOLD THE VISION, TRUST THE PROCESS”). We wanted something that spoke to the journey and inner magic of both of us, our individual brands, and the intention we had established. This part was completely new to us. AND, it was ALL US. No outside funding (except wishlists for supplies and retail fixtures). We dedicated sales from our respective lines to the storefront fund. We scraped and saved without external financing or investors. We researched and made calls with no mentorship or coaching. We continued to expand our product offerings, stepping out on faith that the Creator would make sure our needs/desires for the vision would be divinely aligned with our destinies.

OH THE LESSONS! We learned how to lean into our faith more. We learned how strong our resolve and patience is. We saw that the saying “We are our Ancestors wildest dreams” is SO TRUE. The mantle may be heavy but it was divinely designed to rest on our shoulders. That every single step that we have taken led us to this exact place.

We are excited about what the future holds because our vision is far greater than what is tangible at present. We have our sights set on grander manifestations such as mass production, collaborations, a larger and more inclusive space reflective of us and our art to conduct business as well as inspire creativity, serve our community, and indulge in several other creative outlets, services, and offerings. We have desires to travel and own other assets as it relates to our collective dreams but what we know for sure is WE are what sets us apart. Despite the challenges and facets of “the process,” we are the ashé and it is so!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First and foremost, The Alchemist Den is certainly establishing itself as a staple in Atlanta and the surrounding areas so first stop is for them to firsthand feel the magic of the space.

If we were hosting or being the tour guide for friends through the city, a few restaurants that would be must have’s would include:
Taco Prado in Mableton for amazing tacos.
Herb’s Rib Shack has some of the BEST (hands down!)BBQ RIBS in Atlanta!
Juice Me Too is a local Black Woman Owned Juice Bar that offers tasty juice cleanses and on par with her juice bar is Paradise Smoothie
juice bar, home of some amazing wellness shots .
For organic burgers and $2 mimosas on the weekend, Grub does not disappoint.
Fin and Feathers for a newer bar scene with great chef inspired food pairings and local coffee shop & roaster Rev is an artist haven and has great coffee and teas.

However, when we venture outside of our local area, we love Pappadeaux’s for their amazing opelousa sauce.
Café Istanbul for amazing Moroccan cuisine and ambience.
The Atlanta Botanical Gardens has wonderful greenspace
The Cascade Nature Reserve and the waterfalls is a beautiful grounding place.
Decatur has horseback riding with Black Cowboys!
Ponce Market is a staple within itself but it is also surrounded by several GREAT Black-Owned Restaurants and lastly, a place we would HAVE to try together would be World Taste Atlanta, an African cuisine restaurant in West End that boasts of a world taste experience!

Oh, if the timing is right, by all means, get out to experience a full day at House in the Park. Be sure to stay hydrated and dress accordingly but the experience will change your life!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First, we want to express gratitude for the legacy of our Ancestors and for that same magic that flows in our veins, fueling our purpose and passions. We come from a rich legacy that aids us in the fulfillment of our destinies that encourage us to usher in those blessings to the generations that come after us.I give gratitude to the spiritual teachers, life lessons, and journey that led me to the magnificence that my spouse is. She is a catalyst to my greatness and encourages me to stay centered in “hold the vision, trust the process” – a centralized theme and mutual sentiment for both of us. Other than one another, we give thanks for all who have supported us through the years as well as all who continue to support us through purchases, shares, fervent positive prayers for manifestation and growth on our behalf, and words of encouragement along the way.

Website: www.alchemistden.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/the_alchemist_den

Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheAlchemistDen

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheAlchemistDen

Other: Additional contact information: Marquita & Chasity Millen 2740 Broad Street Austell, GA 30106 email: info@alchemistden.com phone: 770-693-7091