The Birth of Candles 4 the Culture
Hey there! I'm Demetria, the proud owner and founder of Candles 4 the Culture. I'm so excited to begin this journey of sharing everything C4C with you, along with a glimpse into my world. As a Black woman and "Wife Mom Boss," I'll be delving into a variety of topics that resonate with me and, hopefully, with you too. For starters, I'm eager to share the origins and motivations behind launching Candles 4 the Culture.
A New Beginning:
In 2017, I relocated from Virginia to Atlanta for what seemed like a promising job opportunity. After years in the classroom as a middle school teacher, I was eager for a change. With my Master's in Educational Leadership nearly completed, I jumped at the chance to impact students outside the classroom.
However, reality hit me hard. The job turned out to be a disaster, to say the least. Despite making more money than I ever had, I found myself in an extremely toxic work environment that took a toll on my well-being, both physically and mentally. After less than a year, I made the difficult decision to resign.
My husband and I had just bought a house, the kids were barely settled into new schools, and I was unemployed. I didn't have a plan, but as an experienced educator, I assumed finding another job would be straightforward. I was wrong! By 2019, I found myself still searching for the right fit. It was time for a pivot.
She Get It from Her Grandma:
I've always been a "maker" – it's practically in my DNA. My paternal grandmother's bold attempts at building her own house and the thoughtful, handmade gifts from my aunts serve as proof that I "get it honestly." The maker spirit runs strong in my family, and it's a trait my cousin Kia and I both inherited.
Food is my first love. To this day, cooking is still what I enjoy making most. It was this love for creating that led me to launch my first business, "Dipped Chocolate Cafe."
Sometime in 2018, I stumbled across a candle making kit that piqued my interest. Soon enough, I began experimenting with crafting my own candles. Before I knew it, I was immersed in the world of candle making. It wasn't long before the idea struck me – why not turn this newfound hobby into a business venture? I knew that in order to make my mark in the market, branding would be key.
The Birth of Candles 4 the Culture:
After brainstorming for a while, the idea came to me on a Saturday morning, like a divine deposit from God. I heard it crystal clear: "Candles 4 the Culture." As a culture connoisseur, I've always had a deep love for all things Black. Being born a Black woman feels like a blessing, and there's so much about our shared experience worthy of celebration. I knew there would be an entire community of women, just like me, who cherish the movies, music, and memories of growing up Black.
By that afternoon, I had a whole list of candle names, starting with what would eventually become our signature candle: "Black Girl Magic."
Elevating Self-Care: The C4C Difference
While you can use just about any candle in your self-care routine, my vision for Candles 4 the Culture was to offer something greater. Beyond simply setting a mood when lit, I aimed for our candles to take it step further. I wanted people to feel the benefits of our candles before they even lit them.
My hope was that by evoking memories of our shared experiences through both the name and scent, you'd immediately sense a difference. Of course, it was important to make quality candles that smell good, but I wanted Candles 4 the Culture to make people feel good – that's what sets us apart!
Gratitude in God’s Plan:
Reflecting on my time spent in that toxic work environment and the extensive job search that followed, it's clear that it was one of the most difficult periods of my life. In hindsight, I see the hand of an intentional God guiding me. I truly believe God said, "I had to make you uncomfortable; otherwise, you wouldn't have moved." Candles 4 the Culture feels like a manifestation of God's plan. Have you ever experienced adversity so challenging that you had no choice but to trust the process?
As we approach our 5-year anniversary this week, I'm filled with gratitude. First and foremost, to God, for His divine plan, and second, to you for your unwavering support.
Looking Ahead:
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 20% of small businesses fail within the first year, and about 50% fail within five years. Knowing this, I don’t take the fact that we’ve made it this far lightly. And you know what? We’re just getting started.
If you follow Candles 4 the Culture on Instagram, you may have seen that I’m participating in Goldman Sachs’s One Million Black Women: Black in Business Program. I'll share more details about the program later, but know that this experience is already proving to be transformational for Candles 4 the Culture.
Thank you so much for supporting us, and please stay tuned for what’s to come!
Until next time!
Lit Regards,
Demetria, Owner and Founder
Candles 4 the Culture