Meet Tatiana Johnson: Homegoods Designer DJ & Software Developer

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

Hi Tatiana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Pure joy was my process behind starting my own business. I honestly just wanted to created and have people enjoy the things that I put my whole heart into. The business followed right behind. I’m still learning that part. I love to create but I know it’s vita to know the business and have your business intact. Between DJ’ing, creating marketing campaigns, creating documentaries, upholstering and creating a candle line, my goal has always been to be the GREATEST story teller. In this case, through various mediums. And most recently I’m attending software to further expand my love of story telling, this time through technology.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I AM WALKING ART. No literally, I truly believe that. Most recently I have been creating candles. My mantra is Be Dangerous…It’s Careful Out There. It’s all about taking calculated risks to achieve what you want. In my case I want to create experiences with my candles. We’ve been in the house during this pandemic with limited travel and for me that was extremely hard. I still managed to travel a little bit but not as much. During that time I spent a lot of money on candles. I’m talking weekly I was purchasing candles just to make the rooms feel different. Then I said to myself make them.

Besides making them I wanted to make them look good. I created colorful Body and Bubble T candles they are definitely conversation pieces. In addition, I created candles that reflect scents you would smell in the cities I’ve traveled. Tulum, Butt-Naked With Sunglasses, Be Dangerous, and Joshua Tree is on the way. It made all the sense in the world for me, because of my background in interior design and upholstery, creating a home goods line was kismet.

It hasn’t been easy, sometimes things are trial and error. I definitely say candle making is a process. From going through scents, to making sure it actually has a smell is a challenge. Not only that, it’s costly, trial and error equals plenty of tries. Along the way, and I must say I’m still learning whether it be the business, the creating and now adding more tech into it with software engineering, my biggest lesson is there is always an option and an answer. ALWAYS.

Eyepissglitter Homegoods is a lifestyle. It truly is and serves as a light for others that want peace. Deep right, but just over the years, I noticed within myself and my peers we all want love, we all want to be happy and we all want to experience peace. That could be through a number of things candles, quotes, your favorite pillow, a nice trip but overall it’s inside, all of the material things are a reflection of that. Eyepissglitter is that. It’s colorful, it’s vibrant, it’s peace, it brave, it’s adventurous, it’s fun, but it’s truly healing. And it’s HIP HOP to the core!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Nashville is poppin on a handstand. Even in the pandemic, I DJ’d virtually and just did my first outside event this past weekend. But there are plenty of places to go. If you’re going to get something to eat and a nice cocktail on the side, I would say Hawkers, they have really good Korean fried wings. I also love, Willie B’s fried okra, of course Seafood Sensation. Local Distro for tacos. And you can’t say Nashville, without Coneheads, their chicken in a waffle cone is not only delicious but so innovative. My favorite Caribbean spots are Riddim N Spice and The Pepperpott, the best jerk and lemon pepper jerk wings in the world. The most fun and interesting places to check out are the FRIST, I know the organization Tell A Friend is going to be revving up their parties again rooftop vibes, so is NASHFEELS, which I am excited about. Definitely NKA Gallery located on Buchanan Street, which is a growing arts district.

Nashville is really dope and it’s only getting better.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would definitely have to shout out my cohort E15 for always helping and encouraging me. It’s only been two months but the encouragement is real. I also have to give a shout out Together Digital, I serve as Vice President of the Nashville Chapter. It’s been thoroughly helpful during the pandemic in a way that it’s all about support. Not just career but also emotional. We help hold each other accountable and help each other reach our goals. I have to give a huge shout out to my friend, my sista, Melissa Kimble, founder of BLKCREATIVES, besides contributing to the world of Black creatives in regards to resources and just talks of common ground, she has be a huge help to me business but more than anything just encouraging to everything that I am doing. Can’t forget my cousins, Empress, Chardonne, Lauren, Anthony, my best friend since 3rd grade Lindsay, my bestfriend since 7th grade Jaielle. I am really grateful for the people I have in my life and I love that they understand me.

Website: http://www.eyepissglitter.com

Instagram: instagram.com/eyepissglitter

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tatianarjohnson/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/eyepissglitter

Image Credits
Shot by Dr. Asia Muhammad for main photo all others shot by me