Meet Ceshele Childres and Joelle Thomas

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ceshele Childres and Joelle Thomas.

Hi Ceshele and Joelle, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Wow, so how did a metaphysical holistic boutique end up in a small town like Lillington, that is a great question. We believe that aligning yourself with your highest destiny, allows for the wheel of life to turn in your favor. And with that, things just fall into place.

We both started with our individual businesses Gem Fusion Crystals and Phoenix Moon Rising Intuitive Services. We hit the road together as a duo providing metaphysical goods and services and had an overwhelming response from clientele asking where our store was located. However, at the time we did not have a brick-and-mortar store, we only attended pop-up events, markets, vendor fairs, etc. The need was obvious so we knew the next step was to join together and open Zenciety. Lillington was chosen because we grew up in this area, both graduated from the local high school, and knew there was a great need for a place people could have access to; and explore alternative therapies.

We are a holistic boutique which means we cater to the whole picture. Many of our goods are made or sourced locally, within Harnett County or surrounding counties. So the purchases people make are going directly back into the local economy and aiding local families directly. Also, this way we are reducing the carbon footprint, and being kind to Mother Earth.

We carry products that are recycled, upcycled, organic, and overall healthy for the buyer and the planet.

In addition to merchandise, we also offer holistic services. We have practitioners onsite offering hypnotherapy, Peruvian shamanism, Reiki, intuitive services, tarot, and life coaching. We also have an extended network consisting of sound therapists, herbalists, Indigenous root worker, yoga instructors, meditation leaders, aromatherapists, massage therapists, and more.

In addition to the merchandise and services, we also offer classes and sponsor free community events. We’ve hosted yoga in the park, pet food drives, and many afterhours fellowship events. We strive to be a benefit and blessing to the entire community. When we prosper, everyone prospers. We believe in collaboration over competition. Our goal is to do our part in creating a zen society, and that is where Zenciety was born.

–Ceshele

Ceshele and I went to high school together. When we graduated, we had the same group of friends and would hang out together sometimes. Eventually, life has its ways of taking people on their own journeys and it wasn’t until last year, in 2021 that we really reconnected.

Ceshele had been in the spa and medical fields, while selling crystals as a side venture. I had been working in the biomedical research field at a couple of different universities in the state. I had made an announcement on Facebook about switching my career to become a professional intuitive and energy worker, Ceshele reached out to connect. Long story short, Ceshele invited me to do pop-up vendor events with her, and that began our joint venture.

By December 2021, we both realized a brick-and-mortar location was becoming a necessity. A place, formerly owned by my grandmother, unbeknownst to me, practically fell out of the sky on December 30, 2021. Ceshele and I signed the lease that day and within one month, we scrambled to get the store in shape, stocked, and open. – Joelle

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I would say it has been fairly smooth. Things moved so quickly that we both just kind of went with a plan of divide and conquer. We work very well together, and being in a business partnership isn’t without its growing pains, but it has been a wonderful opportunity and learning experience. – Joelle

I handle most of the retail and vendors, while Joelle handles all of our practicioners and most of our classes. So for me, my biggest challenge has been trying to fit in all the artists and vendors who want to join our showcase. I developed a great system of a seasonal rotation so that every three months it is a new cycle for artisans/crafters to come join us! This allows for more variety and a greater number of local artisans to be seen and sold. -Ceshele

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
With my background in the spa industry, a licensed and practicing esthetician for over seventeen years, I’ve been immersed in self-care for a long time. I studied Ayurvedic and Eastern modalities that were incorporated into my services. I use this knowledge about crystals, herbalism, and the applications of these things now, related to not just the body, but the mind and spirit as well. -Ceshele

I am a scientist by background, but an exceptional intuitive. I am trained and certified in shamanic healing, Reiki, Archangelic light, and hypnotherapy. I continue to build my skill set, and I am currently developing and teaching training programs for others.

Together, Ceshele and I, are providing a platform not only for people to learn about the metaphysical world and how to apply it practically in their everyday life, but also to provide space for people to be free from fear in their exploration of their own healing. -Joelle

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
We are so very grateful for this opportunity to share ourselves and our gifts with the world at large.  – Joelle

We welcome you all to come to experience everything that we have to offer at Zenciety. Our motto is “Come find your Zen within.”, and that’s what we mean! – Ceshele

Contact Info:

• Website: www.zencietywellness.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/zencietywellness
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/zenciety
• Youtube: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCWCftjwoM3sULHdHtk3ApBg