Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn James.
Hi Lauryn, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up, my sisters and I would help my grandma make candles. During COVID March 2020, I wanted to find something to occupy my mind, I ordered candle supplies posted my journey on social media and found people wanted to purchase my candles. I graduated in December 2019 from GSU (state) with no starting job so it was a sign to me that this was my business. Growing up, my mom always decorated the house and made it super homey with whatever we had or found at Big Lots or thrifting it was always a thing to decorate or rearrange our rooms when it felt cluttered with that we would light candles or use plugins or incense for aura.
To me, a candle signifies appreciating the space we are lighting the candle in. A candle is much more than a candle it’s a symbol of creating & maintaining a peaceful space. The worst day of my life was the day I lost my mom in October 2019 and making candles became my favorite thing to do. It all came together while I was deciding on a name for the company. It clicked for me, My mom’s Instagram name is Luckiestarr which is how I got Luckie Starr Candles! I also create my own labels for candles that each have angel numbers like 444 and an inspiring message.
LSC gives me a medium to inspire others by encouraging them to light their candles with intention, taking a moment for themselves to reflect, manifest or just unwind. Over the past year I have been trialing and error with candle recipes, selling at pop up shops and my website that I constructed myself, using social media as a tool to reach customers. I’ve had a few big orders that really pushed LSC and I to another level making bulk orders of candles with customized labels which is now something else LSC specializes in. LSC are all natural soy scented candles. A few things that separate LSC from the rest would be our unique labels with different art and messages and most importantly our recipe. LSC are made to burn slow with strong lasting scents. I personally won’t sell a candle if it doesn’t fill the room!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part yes. Ive had times where I wasn’t satisfied with the batch I made and refused to sell them. I thought it would be a loss but I quickly learned to accept that this is what it is like to build a successful business. Lessons like that teach me to start small when experimenting and then make bulk orders (lol).
I also got discouraged when I felt my friends and peers were not supporting me. This is something I also had to get over. What helped me do that was realizing that I want my company to be nationwide even global. Therefore it’ll take way more people way more work than just my friend’s support. So I took my focus off of them and into my actual target market.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I don’t have a title for myself other than entrepreneur. In addition to my candles, I also design content for other companies. I can design logos, flyers and labels. For my candle business, I knew I would need a nice printer for my labels so instead of outsourcing, I invested in a printer to print for other people too. After doing my research, the prices are kind of high for some sticker labels and they charge for variations. I figured a lot of people would appreciate getting product labels at a cheaper price with the flexibility of being able to have multiple variations.
I studied public relations and marketing in college, I use this knowledge to help new businesses start their company. Many do not know where to start because there is so much needed. After getting LSC started, it gave me confidence to help others get their company started. Such as making websites, social media (pages, content, calendar) using all kinds of strategies to promote, product or promotion stickers.
What matters most to you? Why?
In life, what I value the most is happiness. We are at our best when we are happy. In our daily lives it is almost impossible to not let anything bother your happiness. I know we can’t always be happy but I believe it should be everyone’s goal. After going through so much darkness the tiniest things are the biggest blessings. & I love to acknowledge anything that brings me a glimpse of joy.
Making candles is my escape I love the whole process, it makes me happy. If I did not enjoy it, I can promise I would have never made it this far. So happiness and joy matter the most to me. I know my mind is very powerful and a good friend of mine that teaches yoga Asha Williams taught me that my mind is my safe haven. Happiness starts within me and my thoughts, not my environment and surroundings.
Contact Info:
- Email: luckiestarrcandles@gmail.com
- Website: luckiestarr.com
- Instagram: luckiestarrcandles
- Facebook: luckiestarrcandles
- TikTok: @luckiestarrcandles
