Grace Media Group – NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM, 93.1 FM & WNWS.COM – visited with Shari Yetto, owner of Charlotte’s Mystical Web for a Q&A session.
The business is located at 964 South Highland Avenue.
Question: First, a little background information. Where are you originally from, family and education?
Answer: I am from the Houston/Galveston, Texas, area. I moved to Tennessee in 1984. I’m married to a wonderful man, Paul Yetto, and we have four children, ages 18-to-44.
I have a degree in Holistic Health Practice with a Certification in Natural Products Manufacturing from the American College of Healthcare Science in Portland, Oregon.
Question: You have a passion for retail. How long have you been in the retail sector and how long have you been in Jackson?
Answer: I started Charlotte’s Mystical Web – Your One-Stop Shop for All Things Metaphysical – in 1989 as a mail-order business. A few people came to my house for products. I have lived in Jackson since 1993, and I continued my mail-order business until June 1, 2001, when I opened my first location in Jackson.
I have changed locations as my store has grown. Some people thought I closed after the 2010 flood, but I just had to regroup and find a new building. I actually don’t like sales. I try to talk people out of buying things that they don’t really need. I enjoy helping people, not just taking their money.
That’s one reason I started making my own products instead of using factory candles because I know that mine are made for the right purpose, not just colored wax poured in a jar with screen-print on it – or colored oil poured into a bottle with a label. I have the experience to make them myself and make them right.
Question: The business you own is more than retail. Will you tell us how you selected this particular business and tell us about some of your offerings?
Answer: I chose this type of business to help people with their spiritual path. I follow the old ways, and when I was young, there wasn’t much help when I was searching for my spiritual path. I don’t want others to have that issue.
There is so much misinformation out there with all the social media that I do all I can to teach the truth, in person, in my three books, and on my YouTube channel, “Lady StarFire.”
I have the products that someone would need for almost any positive path (we don’t do any dark paths) – statues, gemstones, crystals, jewelry, herbs, oils, incense, live-edge wood items, and more.
Question: Would you tell us what type of products you make, and do you receive requests for specialty made items?
Answer: I make and sell dressed, fixed, and charged 7-Day Prayer Candles, Spell Jar Candles, Spell Kits, and more. I also make all-natural products like soap, lotion, and salves.
I do make candles, body products, statues, and resin items to order. My husband, Paul, makes live edge items like shelves, plaques, altars, cutting/serving boards, and more and takes special orders. We also ship most items.
Question: In the 30-plus years you have been in retail, besides having walk in traffic, has online ordering changed your approach to the way you do business?
Answer: Most of my business is walk-in. I do have a website, charlottesmysticalweb.net, for those that moved off or have found me through my YouTube channel, Lady StarFire.
I prefer the walk-ins because I like to give the personal touch. I’m also a clergy, so counseling is part of my business. It’s not just about selling items; it’s about helping people. That’s why many people call me “Mama Shari.” There are some that just stop by for a hug. You come into my store as a customer for the first time and leave as part of the family.
We are family owned and operated, and we strive to help everyone that comes in to leave with a smile. It’s harder to do with online sales, but I always put in something extra that I am lead that they need.
(PHOTO: Shari Yetto)