Today we’d like to introduce you to Marlene Dailey.
Hi Marlene, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I am not a writer so please excuse my errors lol. My story is long lol but I will try to give a short version. I am 46 years old, born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. I am a daughter to a single mom. I am sister to my brother and sister & a sister-in-law and auntie to their spouses & children. A wife to a retired NYPD uncover detective for the last 26 years (that’s a whole story by itself). A bonus mom to my eldest daughter and a mother to 3 boys and 2 girls. A mother-in-law to my son and daughter in law & a grandmother of 2 boys and a girl. Lastly, I have been a pastor for the last 22 years with many spiritual children.
I suffer with a brain condition called Chiari Malformation to which I had brain surgery for in 2012. I battle Fibromyalgia & RA daily, but I choose life. These things will not hold me back no matter how difficult my life can be. Some days I feel like a truck hit me and other days I feel like running.
In April of 2021, my husband and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary and decided to renew our vows. We had a beautiful ceremony with or friends and family. I have always been one who loved making things, so I decided to make our favors. Around that time, I learned how to make keychain letters with resin. I added keys to the favor bags. I realized had so many left over and I wasn’t sure what to do with them. Something had me put them into an unfinished wood cross I had for many many years. I never did anything with it because I just did not know what to do with it. Well, I poured the keys into the cross and just stared at it for a while and suddenly it hit me. I can pour resin over it. It was beautiful!
From there I started making and selling crosses. I soon had so many different ideas that I ordered more crosses and made a bunch. I made breast Cancer awareness ones, purple ones, blue ones, ones for Easter, American Flag, Puerto Rican flag, military ones, and many more. I also have done bulk orders for t-shirts, coasters, and keychains. I signed up for a couple farmers’ markets. I posted them on social media, shared with my friends and family & made a simple website. I just started selling and as time went on, I started making other products like mini crosses, sublimated products, cups, trays, and I started making t-shirts again. I used make t-shirts for my church conferences and etc back in 2012. I finally decided to get my LLC in May of 2021. I named it CALIJEMS, LLC in honor of my family! Christian, Anaya, Lexus, Isaiah, Jason, Epiphany, Marlene & Steve my husband.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Some people may say it’s no big deal, everyone is working from home and there are so many “makers” out there since the start of COVID but for me, it is a very deal because of my conditions these things do not come easy for me. If I do too much, I will be in bed for days sometimes weeks. My hands get tired and swell. My system shuts down and I will start a flare. Not to mention the migraines, In between my creating, I care for my family and church. Honestly, it gives me life when I do for others. I love blessing others! It hasn’t been something where I must make money. Sure, making money is nice but that’s not my main goal. I’ve had people tell me I price my products too low lol. It is challenging because I spend more than I make at times, but I have to work on my social media and website more.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am not your regular maker lady. I have been disabled since 2008 so I don’t have a regular job. As long as I’m feeling well, I can work on my projects as often as I like. I wear many hats as I mentioned in the beginning but there’s more to me. I should write a book lol. I chose other because although I love being a maker, I also flag dance and I co-pastor a church. My husband and I have been in ministry for 22 years. We started in New York until we moved to Florida. We did not pastor when we first got to Florida in 2014. We needed some time to rest from leadership but still attended church regularly.
In October we became lead pastors of Downey Christian Church in Orlando. My husband has the ability to minister to the needs of people in a way everyone can understand. Together we are building a church with love, compassion, and humility. We are pastors but we are not caught up in the religion. We are very down-to-earth people. Our main goal is to reach the hurt, the lonely, the lost, and all who desire to have a relationship with God. I am very proud of that. Everything sets me apart from others lol.
Any big plans?
I am going to work on my business a lot more in the upcoming week. I have so many ideas that I must do. There’s always something to try and to learn. I just pray for the strength in my body to do more without hinderances.
I will be working on some outreach events for our church community as well as teaching bible study and flagging. I will also be doing a podcast entitled: “The Lonely Latina: the Life of a Cops Wife. I’ve been want to write a book but I’m not much of a writer so I will start with podcast and see how it goes.
If all goes well, in May they will be doing a tv series on my husband’s life and career. It will be based on his book entitled: Gunz and God: The Life of an NYPD Undercover. We are excited for what’s to come. We have been through so many ups and downs. Between a failing marriage, my illness, my husband’s illness, and our son who had some delays as a little boy. We tried to give in and give up many times, but we could not because the lives of our children were at stake. God has been with us through each test and trial. I’m so grateful and blessed. Big things!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.calijemsllc.com
- Instagram: calijemsllc
- Facebook: CALI JEMS
