Today we’d like to introduce you to Iesha Finney.
Hi Iesha , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m originally from East Baltimore, and my journey has really been about transition, growth, and becoming. My childhood wasn’t always easy or consistent. I spent part of it with my dad’s side of the family and later in foster care, so I learned very early how to adjust to change.I became a mother young, and that was one of the biggest turning points in my life. I was still figuring out who I was while being responsible for someone else, and it made me think differently about the future I wanted to create for myself and my children.
Another important part of my journey was becoming part of my mom Monica’s family. She gave me love, guidance, and a safe place to grow. Looking back, I can see how God placed certain people and opportunities in my life at the times I needed them most. I didn’t always understand where He was leading me, but I’ve learned that every season had a purpose. Over the years, I built a career in healthcare and technology, earned my bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, became an entrepreneur through my business Comfort.E, and became an author. Each transition showed me that I didn’t have to limit myself to one path or one version of who I could become.
Now I’m transitioning again and pursuing my master’s in clinical behavior, with hopes of eventually creating housing and supportive resources for young mothers. That goal is personal because I understand what it means to become a mother while you’re still finding your own way.
When I look at where I started and where I am today, I think about the transformation of a butterfly. People see the wings, but they don’t always see what happened inside the cocoon. A lot of my growth happened internally through faith, healing, and trusting God even when I couldn’t see what was ahead. My life hasn’t been a straight line, but I believe God has been present through every transition. I’m still learning, still growing, and still becoming and I’m grateful for every version of me that it took to get here.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been easy. One of my greatest challenges was dealing with feelings of emptiness and detachment, along with experiencing hurt from people I loved things I didn’t fully recognize or understand when I was younger.
When you experience instability early in life, you learn how to adapt. For a long time, I thought my ability to detach, adjust, and keep moving was simply strength. As I matured, I realized that some of it was survival. I’ve had to learn how to heal without allowing what happened to me to become an excuse for how I live my life.
I always tell people that eventually you have a choice: you can repeat what you came from, or you can intentionally create something different. I chose different. I can’t change my childhood, and I can’t rewrite the decisions other people made. But I can decide what kind of mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, granddaughters , niece and woman I am. I can choose how I show up, how I love, and what type of environment I create for my children.
My past just explains pieces of me, but it doesn’t get to dictate who I become.
As you know, we’re big fans of Comfort.E. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My business, Comfort.E, was created from my love for making people feel comfortable, connected, and creative. The brand includes handmade candles, mobile candle making experiences, loungewear, home décor, and other creative offerings. Just things that make you feel good in the comfort of your space.
One of my favorite parts of the business is hosting candle making experiences for different groups. It’s more than making a candle it gives people an opportunity to connect, have fun, and create something of their own. I’m also a children’s author, with books inspired by my children and their different personalities. What I’m most proud of is that everything I create has meaning behind it.
What sets my brand apart is that it continues to evolve with me. Comfort.E isn’t just about products, it’s about creating experiences that people can enjoy, remember, and feel good about.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I think both good and bad luck have played a role in my journey. I originally started my brand about seven years ago under the name IMCMXCII. That same year, my dad passed away. I had actually sold out of everything, which should have been an exciting moment, but the money I made went toward his memorial. At the time, I felt defeated and eventually stepped away from the business.I felt like if I did it again I’ll lose someone.
A couple of years ago, I decided to try again, but this time I wanted the brand to truly represent who I am. My friends and family call me “E,” and I’ve always been someone who loves comfort being home, being cozy, and simply being out of the way. That’s how Comfort.E was born.
Looking back, what felt like bad luck at the time ultimately gave me an opportunity to come back years later with more purpose and a brand that feels much more like me.
Pricing:
- Mobile Candle-Making Experience — $30 per person Includes a 16 oz candle and all candle making materials.
- Books 13.50 Amazon
Contact Info:
- Website: https://comforte.shop/
- Instagram: Comfort.E
- Facebook: Iesha Finney
- LinkedIn: Iesha Finney
