Today we’d like to introduce you to Laniece Carter.
Hi Laniece, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi all, my name is LA Carter and I am a 28 year old Brooklyn native. The name of my business is Eternal Lights by LA Carter. I began my business in 2020 during the COVID pandemic and the world was completely shut down. I went online to purchase candles from Bath and Body Works and they were still selling candles for FULL price. I was so disgusted because I was thinking “Do they know the world is going through a crisis right now? Do they know a lot of people lost their jobs?” And while O was browsing their website, I was also on the phone with my mom and she hears me complaining and she says to me “So make your own?” And that’s when the light bulb in my head turned on and I began browsing the web for candle supplies. Of course, when I got the supply, it was a lot of trial and error. I wanted to make the perfect candle; one that scent is ever-lasting, the burn is long-lasting, and the price is affordable. With the help of social media and my friends and family sharing my progress helped me a lot to get to where I am today.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. I think small businesses feel it the most! I say this because a lot of high-end brands get sales effortlessly while small businesses have to struggle through blood, sweat and tears to get their products out there. There has been many encounters I faced where people feel I should lower my prices based on their budget (I believe I cheat myself with the prices I currently have) but don’t question nor ask for price reductions for high-end brands. Small business owners like myself are trying to work toward success and sometimes we end up losing due to situations mentioned above. And let me get into shipping during the holidays, OMG! It is a horror! Christmas 2022 was the worse for me; three of my client’s packages did not get delivered and got lost in transit. Mind you the orders were custom orders and I only make those types of orders based on request. It was hard to get the insurance back for the packages then make more customs and ship it out plus get Christmas together for my son as it was his first Christmas. My clients were upset due to not getting their gifts for loved ones on time.
As you know, we’re big fans of Eternal Lights by LA Carter. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Here at Eternal Lights by LA Carter; we make natural hand-poured soy candles. Our main goal is to bring comfort, happiness, relaxation, and love into your home. These candles are made with love and cured with more love. The word “eternal” represents our everlasting burn; and hopefully an everlasting experience for you all. Due to our candles being natural, you will experience minor flaws, which are frosting(white coating from the crystals in the soy wax to indicate that it is natural) and sometimes, after burning the candles doesn’t have a smooth surface due to being natural and exclusion of paraffin in the wax. The flaws are minor, but the aroma and feeling the candles bring into your home are major. I like to tell my customers “Natural candles are like humans; they have flaws, but shine bright in their darkest moments.”
I chose to make all-natural candles because I want my Eternal Family (customers) to experience and enhance the beauty of flaws within natural candles, but acknowledge that with these flaws the candles still serve their purpose. The purpose is to heal, relax, comfort and create a happy home through the aroma and eternal burn they have. Also, natural soy candles are environmentally friendly, burn times are long, do not release dangerous fumes into the air, and have stronger soft throw and hot throw. Something that I am most proud of is expanding my brand into different outlets by now providing Reed Diffusers, Car Diffusers, Wax Melts, Smudging Sage sticks and customized gift sets for holidays. I want my business to be a one stop shop for all home decor needs.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I am also a school teacher so my work life helps me out tremendously as it helps to build my professionalism and communicate amongst a diverse community. Also, social media has been a great help; the use of Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok has helped me to promote my business and reach out to a variety of age groups. Below are my social media platforms:
Facebook: Eternal Lights by LA Carter
Instagram: @_eternallights_
TikTok: @lacartercandles
Pricing:
- $15 Candles single wick
- $22 3-wick Candles
- $10 Sage Sticks
- $15 Car Diffusers
- $25 and up Gift Sets
Contact Info:
- Website: www.eternallightsbylacarter.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_eternallights_?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lacartercandles?_t=8c0tJblzgr5&_r=1
Image Credits
Photo Credit to Chanel H.
