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

Hi Carlita, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

As a candle lover, I recognized how important burning candles had become to my self-care and mental wellness journey. One day I woke up and decided I wanted to use my love of candles to connect with and encourage individuals on a much deeper level.

I wanted to create a purposeful movement- one that focused on taking more care of our mental health, spiritual wellness, and how we treat ourselves and each other.

It was in that moment that “BAL” , which stands for “become a light” , was born.

This figuratively speaks to the illumination of the light that’s within individuals to uplift themselves and others.  I use aromatic products  combined with transparent life messages, relatable stories, and messages with calls of action to encourage individuals to “become a light.” These messages promote participating in self-care routines for our mental health, giving back within communities, and ways to also uplift others.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been traveling the world now for six years as a Flight Attendant! In fact, it’s what inspired my first collection- The Escape Collection. Each of my eight scents was inspired by a country or place that I’ve traveled to or want to visit.

As a little girl, I never traveled outside of the country. Most of my traveling was spent visiting my family in Indiana or Ohio. Road trips were a chance for me to look outside of the car window in awe of all the sites I would see. I remember having a big imagination and always wondering what life was like outside of my environment.

Several years later, while attending Georgia State University, I learned about an opportunity to take a study abroad class! That summer I traveled to five countries ! It was my first time ever leaving the USA. It was during a time in my life where I was mentally at a very low place. Taking that trip really changed my entire perspective on life and truly saved me. This was the moment that changed my entire mindset.  I knew traveling the world would become a part of my life’s purpose one day.

Fast forward to a few years after I graduated college, I become  became a flight attendant. I’ve been blessed to be able travel to over 35 countries and 40 states in the USA. This journey has been fun and also filled with challenges! I remember my first year flying I literally packed up all of my belongings, sold my car, moved out of my apartment, and MOVED TO NEW YORK CITY! I was living in a crash pad and sharing a room with three other people. I’ll never forget how excited and nervous I was at the same time. I was in my 20’s, I didn’t have any family there, and it was my first time ever traveling to NYC!

The biggest thing I’ve been able to learn from this experience and my career as a flight attendant is : We’ll never know how high or far we can soar, until we take a chance and jump! My hope is that I can inspire more people in the world to take a chance on themselves to discover their true power– which is the creativity, courage, and inner light that is within you.

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 was coming, each day we’d being doing something different! Because I love being in nature, I’d take them on a hike at Sweetwater Creek State Park! I’d also take them to Amicola Falls and Roswell Mills to explore the waterfalls. I’d want them to see just a few places that I go to where I can be at peace.

For lunch, I’d take them to one of my favorite spots to eat- Tassili’s Raw Reality in Historic West End. I could eat here every week! Their vegan kale wraps are everything!!!! Just talking about it makes me want one now! Then we’d spend the rest of that day exploring around Auburn Avenue and Edgewood to visit some of the historical sites in Atlanta like the King Center and Ebenezer Baptist. Before the sun starts to set, I’d take them to Jackson Street Bridge to get some dope photos with a sunset view of downtown Atlanta’s skyline.

Later that night, I’d take them to enjoy some live music, comedy, or an open mic- at Apache, Kat’s Cafe, or on Peters Street.

The next day I’d take them somewhere to relax. We’d go to JeJu Spa Atlanta- one of my favorite spots for me to focus on my self-care. We’d spend a few hours there in the sauna, hot pools, and getting some wellness treatments.

Later that afternoon, we’d head to downtown Atlanta to check out the Civil Rights Museum, Trap Museum, Centennial Olympic Park, and Gerogia Aquarium. On the way there, I’d stop by Six Feet Under to enjoy a rooftop lunch. Later that evening, I’d take them to an Atlanta Hawks game or something sports-realted to have some fun!

The next day I’d see if they’d want to go get brunch or drinks somewhere! I’d tell them about Hive Buckhead and also mention Flying Biscuit since it’d be close to Piedmont Park. Once we leave from eating, I’d take them on the belt line .

I’d bring my skates and show them Piedmont Park, the skate park, and some of the artwork near Krog Street Tunnel. We’d spend a few hours exploring and then stopping at Ponce City Market to check out some of the shops. I’d then take them to Tacos and Tequilla near Ponce City Market to grab a bite to eat and some margaritas!!!

A few others places I’d want them to see would be the Fitness Collective Atl studio for some yoga and wellness classes, Big Daddy’s soul food restaurant on Old National, Cascade and Sparkles skating ring, Urban Grind Coffee Shop,  the Fox Theater, High Museum.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I would like to thank Audrey G., who was the first person I shared my candle business vision with in 2019. We ended up taking a trip to a major candle distribution supply company, and I spent a couple of hours there smelling scents and purchasing my very first kit to learn how to make candles.

I would like to thank my family and friends for supporting Bal Candles. Your continued support has meant a lot to me! Thanks for really being there for me to allow me to have an incredbile launch of my vision.

I’d also like to thank Brendan K. for all of your support this past year! From the constant idea exchanges, listening to my goals, sharing my business with others, helping me to stay balanced, and so much more. A special thank you to Diamond J. for using her creative gift and eye to take photos of myself and products to assist with my vision.

Lastly, thank you so much to everyone that I have connected with this past year who has shared my business with their coworkers, family members, local shops, and so much more. There’s no way that I could have the success that I’ve had without everyone. I’m forever grateful.

Website: www.balcandles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bal_candles/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/balcandles

Image Credits
Diamond Jones

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