We had the good fortune of connecting with LaRonda Perrien-Massey and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LaRonda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I started The Faithful Flame Candle Co., we were in the middle of the pandemic. At that time I was managing in the service industry and it was one of the first industries deemed “non-essential.” I prayed and asked God for an income idea and while I was waiting I saw a facebook post from an old classmate (Atia Singleton) about making money off of things that you buy often and it was confirmation that I was starting a candle business. I was a candle hoarder! But more importantly, I’d made a promise that I would be faithful with every gift and idea that God gave me and I did! I invested my last $300 into supplies and got to work. I went to Bible for inspiration for a name and The Faithful Flame was born from Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all those who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven.”

I wanted my candle business to glorify God and be a light to every house that the candles burned in. Every name of every candle down to how the scents are selected is God inspired.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am most proud of my radical obedience to the will and the work of God. When I turned down offers from Fortune 500 Companies in college to work for and support a Black Owned Business Owner turned big brother (John Daniels, aka Champ) people thought I was crazy. When I left there to answer God’s call to ministry, people thought I was crazy. When I left “church work” to pursue my Masters in Divinity and become a Full Time Entrepreneur, people surely thought I was crazy.

It has been a long journey but I have remained faithful to God through every challenge, trial, set back, through the low sales, no sales, and the sold-out Pop-Up Shops. The biggest lesson that I learned and my advice to anyone will always be to GO WITH GOD! My faith is what got me through and that is what I want the world to know about my brand and my story. The Faithful Flame is not just the name of a candle business. The Faithful Flame is an identity. The Faithful Flame is a lifestyle. My goal is to continue to give God glory in all that I do personally, creatively, and professionally.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend (Amber) was visiting the area for a week, she would have the time of her life because I know all the spots (at least for the saved folks)!

Monday- We’re big kids so we’re for sure riding Scooters on the Belt Line and getting lunch at “Superica Tex Mex” at Krog Street Market. We’d end the night at “The Splattter Studio” and get take out from “Mikey’s Retro Grill.”

Tuesday- We’re eating birria tacos at “Birria El Gordo”, taking a trip to “The Sister Shop” in Atlantic Station, and getting some massages at LeHua Spa.

Wednesday- We love museums and we love wings, so we’re definitely hitting up “The Bando ATL” which is a museum with crack wings but I’d also take her to ZuCot Gallery. We can’t stay out all night cause Bible Study starts at 7:00PM!

Thursday- We’ve got to go to Big Daves or Slutty Vegan and take a trip to the Illuminarium. We love to talk so I’d book a podcast room at the “M3 Center” for us to live a day in the life of a podcaster. The last stop would be a trip “The Battery.” We may stop at Punch Bowl Social to play some games, but we’re not leaving without icecream from Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream.

Friday- We have this tradition called “Boss BFF Brunch” where we eat brunch but also work on and hold each other accountable for our business goals. I’d take her to “Toast on Lenox” and we’d get to work. This linkup is never complete without a little shopping. We’d end the night in PJ’s watching movies, again we’re big kids.

Saturday- We’d get brunch at 5Church and hang out in Colony Square. I’d surprise her with a photoshoot with my favorite photo/videographer Calvin D (@bycalvind). We’d end the night at “Starlight Drive-In” movie theatre just to say that we did it and sing old school songs loud and wrong on the drive home.

Sunday- We’re getting dressed up for “Breakfast at Barney’s” and then going to church at Faith Covenant Church (Marietta Campus) with Pastor Mark Moore Jr. When service is over we’re getting fried rice from Hong Kong City in the West End and then taking the longest nap you ever did see.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I absolutely could not have done this without the support of my friends, immediate family, and my 3WC family. My best friend Amber Bogan, who is also a young black entrepreneur, wrote a book called “Little Miss Is Destined For Greatness” and even though it’s a children’s book it was a gentle reminder that I could do any and everything. She was my first customer and is the first in line for anything I release. My family bought 10 candles at a time every time they purchased and gave them to everyone they knew. My 3WC family pushed me so hard that I would be selling candles out of my trunk after church events and they would buy them all. My friend Michael Lunsford posted on IG every time he got a candle. He encouraged me to never count anyone’s pockets when I was struggling to settle on a price point. There are so many people who have encouraged me in this journey and I am still in business (even with the breaks) because of their support, encouragement, love, vending opportunities, custom orders, and purchases (without asking for discounts). I am truly grateful for my tribe!

Website: thefaithfulflamecandle.store

Instagram: larondayevell

Facebook: LaRonda Perrien-Massey

Youtube: larondayevell

Image Credits
Chalese Cade

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