Entrepreneurship Clinic Spotlight: Mine Not Yours, LLC
In late 2022, the Baylor Law Entrepreneurship Clinic began working with Christina Gonzalez, a recent graduate of the Baylor University Hankamer School of Business. As an undergraduate student, Christina saw a need that she could help address: raising awareness about domestic violence and sexual abuse. It was in pursuit of her vision to change the way individuals view abuse that Mine Not Yours, LLC was born.
Mine Not Yours markets and sells candles hand-crafted and labeled by Christina herself, donating a portion of all proceeds to the Waco Family Abuse Center and the Waco Advocacy Center. Each candle has a label with words of affirmation and encouragement for the purchaser, reminding them “that they are heard, and their feelings are validated.” Christina also promotes her candles on social media, striving to create an environment “where survivors are not shamed, but rather uplifted.”
In the fall of 2022, Baylor Professor Shaun Limbers introduced Christina to the Baylor Law Entrepreneurship Clinic. After attending an initial meeting to discuss what entity structure made the most sense for Christina’s business model, Christina and the Clinic staff decided on a single-member LLC. Students volunteering in the Clinic quickly began drafting the initial organizational documents for Mine Not Yours and remained involved in the formation process through filing with the Secretary of State’s office in Texas. Throughout the process, Christina remained in contact with the staff to provide information and have any questions answered. She noted that although she was often worried about being able to professionally navigate legal documents she had never seen before, Professor Allen Page dispelled her fears through guidance “not only with legalities but also through words of encouragement.” Christina concluded her remarks by saying that she was appreciative that she was able to successfully start her business “with minimal stress,” and that her experience with the Clinic was “nothing short of amazing.”
Going forward, Mine Not Yours is planning to introduce new summer scents and bring back some customer-favorite scents from the holiday season. Mine Not Yours has also developed new customized packaging, including individualized candle care cards. Christina hopes to one day expand her business to other cities outside of Waco, and continue her practice of supporting domestic abuse shelters and resource centers in those new cities. Her overarching vision remains unchanged: creating a “community where anyone can come and feel welcomed and supported despite their past experiences.”
To learn more about Mine Not Yours, you can visit their website at https://mnycandles.com or find them on their Instagram page (@mny.candles). If you are interested in contacting the Baylor Law Entrepreneurship Clinic, please email the clinic at elawclinic@baylor.edu.