Life, Values & Legacy: Our Chat with Tiffany Kindred of Norcross

We recently had the chance to connect with Tiffany Kindred and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
Hugs from my kids (especially when they’re in good moods) make for an incredible start to the day. And my sweet husband always brings me a hot cup of coffee. Practically speaking, I try to avoid screens first thing in the morning, and I usually reach for a glass of water first thing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Tiffany Kindred, owner of Walker Street Candle Company, a small-batch brand I started in 2022 to create little luxuries that bring comfort, warmth, and intention into everyday life. Each scent is thoughtfully crafted, often inspired by seasons, gatherings, and the simple joy of slowing down.

What makes my journey unique is that I recently relaunched the business after surviving cancer while pregnant with my second child in 2023. That season reshaped how I see time, creativity, and what it means to live fully. It also inspired the podcast I co-host, Everything After, which gives voice to stories of survivorship, motherhood, and the beauty of life after its hardest moments.

Whether through scent or story, my goal is the same: to create meaningful experiences that make people feel seen, held, and cared for.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents really taught me the value of hard work. Growing up, both had only a high school degree, but I watched them build a life for us that was beyond even their own wildest dreams. My mom went on to earn her associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees — all while raising four kids, battling cancer, and working full time.

The life they built showed me that hard work isn’t just about ambition; it’s about creating meaning and building something that lasts. That lesson has shaped the way I approach my own work, whether it’s in my career, with Walker Street Candle Company, or in the creative projects I pursue.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The greatest fear that held me back was the fear of being seen. For a long time, I was comfortable working behind the scenes, supporting others and ensuring everything went smoothly, but I avoided putting myself or my story out there. Over the past few years, I realized how much that fear was costing me. I didn’t want my voice to go unheard, or my story to be one my kids never knew in my own words.

Leaning into visibility, whether through Walker Street Candle Company, sharing my story, or co-hosting my podcast, has been one of the scariest but also most freeing things I’ve done. I’m still learning, but every time I push past that fear, I almost never regret it.

Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think smart people tend to rely too much on everything being curated and polished. Somewhere along the way, “real life” started to feel like a performance, leaving little space for people to be messy, vulnerable, or in the process. That’s where I believe genuine connection and meaning happen.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply is that time is finite. Life can change in an instant, and if there’s something you want to do, you can’t wait for the “perfect” moment. Do it afraid. Do it in process. Just do it.

That perspective comes from experiencing different seasons of life that reminded me of how fragile and unpredictable everything is. It’s why I create the way I do, because every candle, every story, every project feels like a chance to enjoy the present and focus on what matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.walkerstreetcandleco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/walkerstreetcandles/
• Other: If you’re interested or want to link to the podcast: https://rss.com/podcasts/everything-after-podcast/