What are some of your favorite items to use when you practice self-care, sis? For curlBOX founder, Myleik Teele, it's all about choosing the right products that won't put a dent in your bank account. This month, Teele partnered with T.J. Maxx to introduce a new term to the world of retail: Maxximizing. Which rightfully means you "don't have to sacrifice quality or price when it comes to finding those items that are so you." Teele curated and introduced her artistically-designed "Maxximize Your Me Time" installation in Los Angeles on Saturday, March 16th, and openly invites you to join the game of Maxximizing of quality and affordable self-care.

I had the pleasure to speak with Teele on her partnership with T.J. Maxx, what products she chose for her curated "#Maxximize Your Me Time" installation, and how she manages to fulfill her methods of self-care. 

  1. Check out our exclusive interview with Myleik Teele below. 
  2. 21Ninety: How do you define self-care? Why is it important to take care of yourself beyond just the basic necessities?

Myleik Teele: Self-care means sometimes doing those things that we may not always want to do. For me, self-care is saving. I'm all about saving money, I'm all about finding the best deals — that's why I'm really excited to be partnering with T.J. Maxx for their new campaign, The Game of #Maxximizing. I love that at T.J. Maxx you don't have to sacrifice quality or price when it comes to finding the things that are really you. 

Photo: T.J. Maxx

21N: Speaking of your partnership with T.J. MAXX, fittingly entitled Maxximize Your Me Time, where you help put the self back in self-care. What are some products you picked from the store that embodies and helps one achieve self-care? 

MT: Oh my God, the pod is so good! I was so thrilled when I saw it. For me, when I did this partnership, self-care is relaxing at the end of the day with a nice glass of wine. So there are some really beautiful wine glasses. I'm also gold obsessed, so there are a lot of gold assets. There's workout gear. I also love texture, so there's a really awesome chair with gold texture. There's an espresso machine — self-care is coffee [laughs] — and there's also a juicer. Going back to saving, I enjoy making my own juice versus spending far too much on little juices from different juice bars. 

21N: As a thriving entrepreneur with curlBox, #MyTaughtYou, and numerous partnerships with brands like Carol’s Daughter, Shea Moisture and now TJ MAXX — how do you actively balance your career and motherhood? 

MT: I always say that it's not necessarily about balancing, it's more about prioritizing. It's about deciding what matters today, or this week, or this month, and making sure that I'm always doing things that work well for me. I'm at the Santa Monica pier today, and I have my family with me enjoying The Game of #Maxximizing. So I try to do things that include everyone, and I'm happy to mix in a little bit of family, a little bit of business, and a lot of fun! And doing things only aligning with brands that speak to you and matter to you. 

Photo: T.J. Maxx

  1. 21N: In addition to supplying women with monthly subscription boxes for the best haircare, you also deliver life guidance and healthy doses of motivation through your podcast, #MyTaughtYou. What has been the most rewarding aspect for you since launching your podcast?

MT: I think the most rewarding thing has been the number of messages that I get from women saying they have found their way since listening to the podcast. The most recent email I received was from a woman saying that she is no longer taking things personally in her life. I started the podcast as a kind of conversation with myself, and then over the years, my podcast has gained over 3 million downloads. Even though it still feels like a personal conversation, so many people are being moved by the words — and knowing that somebody is getting the message that I wish I had gotten a lot sooner is the most rewarding.

21N: When you’re not building your empire and spreading your gospel for women’s empowerment, you’re exploring the world through travel. Can you describe your yearly Retreats and why it’s important to get away sometimes when practicing self-care?

MT: [laughs] Everyone is looking forward to that! The Retreat is just a great escape —something that you can achieve with like-minded women — and really just treat yourself. I always say that you should be treating yourself best first. And I think that this trip is reminder that we should always be treating ourselves very well. 

Photo: T.J. Maxx

  1. 21N: Are there any projects you are currently working on? What can we expect to see from you and curlBox in 2019?

  2. MT: [laughs] Right now, I'm working on project Motherhood. So, I'm really just trying to make sure that I am taking care of myself and making sure I take care of the kiddo. I really don't plan too far out when it comes to stuff like that. So I guess this will be more of a "stay tuned" answer at the moment. 


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