Meet Akilah Davis | Respiratory Therapist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Akilah Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Akilah, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
Candle making is a science, you can’t just get a vessel, some wax, fragrance and a wick and voila you have a candle. That is not how ANY of this works. It’s a lot of testing, there’s math involved, researching, it’s a process that many people are not aware of. It’s a LOT of hard work and a lot of failure too.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a respiratory therapist by trade, in short, I keep people breathing for 12 hours. I assess, treat, and provide treatment plans for those who suffer with different cardiopulmonary issues, such as asthma or COPD. With that knowledge, I knew that people with those conditions can’t handle certain smells, pollutants, and other toxins that could be released with the burning of candles. It was very important to me to keep that in mind while starting a candle company. I studied different types of waxes, researched different fragrance oil companies to make sure that I was buying the safest oils that mixed well with the wax of my choice and then I went to work. That is what I believe sets me apart from other candle companies.

I REALLY enjoy making candles and looking back at how I grew as a businesswoman and the direction I want to take my company is really exciting. It took a LOT of hard work to get where I am today, and I’m not done yet. I shut down my business 3x since opening, it can really get overwhelming when you put your all into something and not see results. I stepped out of my shell and started doing popup shops and expos to give my business more exposure. Everywhere I went I gave out my business cards and struck up conversations with potential customers. I overcame challenges by leaning on other businesswomen, hearing their stories and it was their encouragement that jumpstarted me back on my journey.

I learned that sometimes your biggest supporters will be people you’ve never even met. You have to stay positive and remember nothing comes easy. I want the world to know that Beyond the Flame Candle Company is here to provide you with candles to heal, inspire and relax you with safe burning wicks, and clean waxes. And don’t forget to TRIM YOUR WICKS.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shoutout to my family. My family has been my biggest supporters, my cheerleaders, my customers, listening ear, and my strength. I want to personally thank my husband for always being in my corner and believing in my dream even when I didn’t.

Website: www.beyondtheflamecandleco.com

Instagram: @beyondtheflamecandleco

Facebook: Beyond The Flame

Youtube: beyondtheflame