In this debut episode of Her Business Bootcamp, host I sit down with Melissa Jagessar, founder of Cali Meets NYC, a home and body fragrance brand rooted in healing, heritage, and hustle. Melissa shares her raw and inspiring journey from childhood curiosity with candles to battling depression after the loss of her grandmother, to launching a brand that not only honors her roots but helps others reconnect with scent and memory.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How Melissa turned grief into growth during the 2020 pandemic

• Her grandmother’s legacy as a Black business owner in the Bronx in the 1960s

• The creation of Cali Meets NYC and how love and design inspired the brand

• How custom zip code candles became her signature product

• Overcoming self-doubt to launch a YouTube channel and show up for her business

• That unforgettable moment Tabitha Brown featured her candle

• The importance of having a community

• The challenges and joys of being a solopreneur

• Finding balance with Pilates and prioritizing mental wellness

• Her plans for expanding the brand with perfumes and more body care

Resources & Mentions:

• Cali Meets NYC website

• Black Candlemakers Club

• Very Good Mondays with Tabitha Brown

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