Tyrice Cartwright, a distinguished early childhood specialist, proudly introduces herself as the visionary behind “Dax’s Adventures,” a captivating children’s book that transcends mere storytelling. With over a decade of expertise in early intervention, Tyrice intricately weaves themes of self-expression, self-reliance, and the enchantment of narratives into her work. Through her book, she ignites a love for reading from a young age, nurturing a foundation for lifelong learning.
In her insightful interview, Tyrice sheds light on the pivotal role storytelling plays in childhood development. She underscores how narratives serve as a conduit for exploring emotions, navigating challenges, and fostering empathy in young minds. Beyond the pages of her book, Tyrice collaborates with parents and educators, extending the impact of “Dax’s Adventures” through workshops, events, and resources, creating a shared space for families to reinforce its educational value and spark meaningful discussions.
Looking ahead, Tyrice envisions expanding the through PLUSH Dax, interactive apps, educational readiness backpacks for Kindergarteners and First Graders, and community-based projects. Her mission is to make reading an immersive experience, inspiring a lifelong love for learning among children. With a focus on collaboration and innovation, Tyrice aims to leave a lasting legacy in children’s literature and early childhood development, inspiring and empowering future generations of readers and thinkers.
Can you discuss the role of storytelling in fostering creativity and its importance in the early stages of childhood development?
Storytelling is the heartbeat of childhood development. Through narratives, children explore emotions, navigate challenges, and develop empathy. “Dax’s Adventures” is a tapestry woven with life lessons, fostering creativity, and sparking a love for reading from a young age, laying a foundation for a lifelong learning journey.
How do you collaborate with parents and educators to enhance the impact of “Dax’s Adventures” beyond the book itself?
Collaboration is paramount. I engage parents and educators through workshops, events, and resources tied to “Dax’s Adventures,” including utilizing a Plush Dax and newly Educational Readiness Backpacks. Through skilled consults, we can extend the story beyond the book, but can create a shared space where families and educators play a pivotal role in reinforcing the educational aspects and sparking meaningful discussions.
In what ways do you see your work contributing to the broader conversation about the importance of early childhood development in society?
My work contributes to the discourse on early childhood development by emphasizing the critical role storytelling and connection to family plays in shaping future generations. “Dax’s Adventures” serves as an instrument of positive influence, promoting creativity, empathy, and resilience in the minds of young readers.
What future projects or initiatives do you have in mind to further your mission of inspiring a love for reading and learning among children?
Future initiatives involve expanding the Dax Adventure universe with an interactive ASK Dax app, educational lesson plans and curriculum, a Plush Dax for every classroom, and Readiness Kindergarten and 1st Grade backpacks for each school. My mission is to make reading an immersive experience, inspiring a lifelong love for learning. Collaboration with schools and educational organizations is on the horizon to amplify the impact.
How do you envision the long-term impact of your work on the field of children’s literature and early childhood development?
Envisioning a lasting legacy, I see “Dax’s Adventures” contributing to a shift in children’s literature. By integrating education seamlessly into captivating narratives, I hope to inspire a new era of literature that not only entertains but also enriches the minds of young readers.
As a woman making strides in your field, how do you see your role in inspiring and empowering the next generation of women in literature and child development?
As a woman in literature and child development, I see my role as a torchbearer. Through my journey, I aim to inspire and empower all women. Representation matters, and by breaking barriers, I hope to open doors for more women to share their stories and make meaningful contributions.
How do you handle challenges and setbacks in your journey, both as an individual and as a creator in the field of children’s literature?
Challenges are inevitable. As an individual, I anchor myself in resilience and a passion for my mission. In the field, setbacks fuel creativity. Every obstacle becomes an opportunity to refine and elevate my work, driving a continuous cycle of growth.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors or professionals looking to make a meaningful impact in the realm of childhood development?
Embrace your unique voice. To make a meaningful impact, authenticity is key. Never underestimate the power of your story or the positive influence it can have. Stay curious, be resilient, and let your passion guide you.
How do you stay connected with your target audience, the children, and ensure that your work does continue to resonate with them over time?
Connecting with children is an ongoing dialogue. I stay connected through school visits, interactive readings, and social community engagements. Regular feedback and staying attuned to the evolving interests of young minds ensure that my work continues to resonate over time.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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