By: Mikayla Langon
Daphne Johnson is a senior from the Chicago suburbs who loves thrifting, creating art and helping others. She is majoring in Corporate Communication and double minoring in Design Communications and Publishing, and she has put her skills to work in an entrepreneurial venture at Belmont.
Johnson is currently the manager of the business Where the Well Things Are that she helped found in August of 2021. She has always had a passion for holistic wellness and keeping your mind, soul and body healthy. Her artistic ability allowed her to help creatively with the business including designing the sketches, layout and logo for the store.
Johnson said that it took several meetings and a lot of brainstorming to decide what they wanted the business to stand for. “We wanted to create a store that provides products to support students along their wellness journey,” Johnson said. This student-run business makes sure that when a person walks into the store, they are greeted with the right resources to better their mental and physical health.
Running a business takes time and effort from all employees. Johnson was intrigued with the opportunity to be a part of a team that builds a business from the ground up.
“I was looking for general job experience initially, but realized with the store opportunity, I would be able to learn so much about a business. I honestly knew very little about starting and running a business, but because I’d like to work in the small business or nonprofit world, I knew it would be highly beneficial to see the inner workings of entrepreneurship,” Johnson explained.
As the manager, she makes it a priority to maintain and grow relationships with all her customers and employees. Where the Well Things Are supports alumni businesses and local businesses in the Nashville community by stocking their products in the store.
Some of the products from alumni businesses include; Bizi’s vitamin honey sticks, Margot + Co’s word search books, and Walker Brothers’ kombucha. Some products from local businesses around Nashville include Unity’s CBD infused drinks, High Garden Tea’s tea leaves, and a variety of products from Thistle Farms.
Where the Well Things Are is located on Belmont Blvd. Stop by anytime from 11a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday to shop around and get to know the team. You can also follow them on Instagram @wellthingsnashville for updated content about the business.