Meet De Leonna Johnson | CEO & Creator of Simply Elegant Candles, LLC

We had the good fortune of connecting with De Leonna Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi De Leonna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was to create a Candle that can not only change the way my family enjoys candles, but also the homes of others to enjoy as well. I wanted to create something simple and elegant that everyone can enjoy no matter the occasion or season.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Simply Elegant Candles started during the Covid 19 pandemic, I was forced to stop working and started spending more time in the gym. Well of course I did not feel comfortable going so I stopped. Shortly after my job closed the office and my children’s’s school shut down temporarily. I was out of work for about 3 months. During that I wanted to start a hobby and find ways to occupy my time. I toyed with the idea of candle making but never pursued it. One day my husband brough me a at home candle making kit. I instantly fell in love with creating my own products and building deep layers of beautiful fragrances. The rest is history.

At that point I knew I needed a new stress relief, and Honestly from there it was God I just felt like candles are what I’m suppose to be creating and also soothe the stress relief that I was looking for. From there I did a lot of research and found how unhealthy and toxic store brought candles are for people to inhale. With my husband and I having small children and us burning candles everyday hours at a time I felt that I could create amazing candles, that are all natural and toxic free not just our home but others homes as well.

What sets Simply Elegant Candles, LLC apart from others I would say is that we truly care about our products. We are so proud to use all natural Soy Wax Candles with no blends at all. Soy wax is one of the harder waxes to use that is hard to hold fragrances very well so we are very proud of our formula. I would also say what sets us apart from other candle company’s is that each candle is made and measured by hand per each candle to make sure that each candle smells perfect.

We also host candle making workshop events and private events for Birthdays, Date nights, Ladies nights, Bridal parties and so much more. We bring all of the supplies, food, desserts, drinks etc. We absolutely love hosting events for our clients. That has been one of the major parts of our business and getting the incredible opportunity to meet some wonderful people from all over along the way. We also take custom candle orders as well which as been pretty cool giving or clients the opportunity to create something that they absolutely love, letting them name the candle, and color changing the candles in layers or to match the fragrance of the candle.

Starting my own business was Not easy what so ever, I have a full-time job, two wonderful little boys, a Husband that is in the Military and gone a lot and a business to run. How I overcame (Or still learning to overcome) Is to not rush it. Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. it is a lot of work, research, dedication and not letting the thought of failure stop me from reaching my goals. I’ve learned that what is for me is for me and nobody can take that away and to also trust God. I’ve always told myself growing up that one day I will own my own business and today is that one day. The child me would be so proud and that is why I keep going. Its easy to quit but its harder to reach a goal and accomplish that goal and I am determined to accomplish that dream of mine.

I would love for everyone to know about me is that I love handcrafting candles, I love seeing them in people homes, office space, as a gift etc. I am devoted to having my own store-front that people can come and take a candle making workshop along with purchasing a candle and replace those harmful toxic candles that are in peoples homes today and replace them with something healthier and smells incredible.

Most people when they start a business they have a “Get rich” mentality but my goal for the business is to give back. I was a young mom, I had my first son at 20 years old, I was still living with my parents at the time and my boy friend would come over but being a young parent was very hard. Learning how to apply for insurance, WIC, transportation, what doctors I needed to see because I was a high-risk pregnancy so I needed to be seen by specialist. Trying to figure it out at 20 years old was challenging so my goal is to set up organizations here in the state for single moms/parents. I want to be a one stop shop for all of the recourses that the parent may need and to lead them into the right direction. I would love to make their life a little easier. Also, since I was a child I’ve always had a heart for Africa so my goal for the business is to set up a non-profit organization in Africa that can help families in need for Food, Clothes, Education, and so much more to help give back.

Simply Elegant Candles has a story, and that story is to give back to those in need, I want to show young black entrepreneurs that THEY CAN DO IT and don’t let others or themselves stop them because we need you, we need your dreams, we need your ideas, and we need to show the next generation that they are needed as well. It takes one person to make a difference and if I can be that one person to make handcrafted candles to replace store brought toxic candles then you can chase your dreams as well.

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?
I love getting out and I’m a huge foodie, we have to eat at every stop even if its just for appetizers. My itinerary for a week long trip, starting with breakfast we would go to Maple Street Biscuit Company and of course while there enjoy a drink on the patio with our delicious breakfast. Next we would go to Simply Elegant Candles and handcraft a candle then after I really like Boba so a fun stop would be Tiger Sugar and then probably go to Ponce City and hangout at the Skyline and of course grab something to snack while we are there.

The Battery is a lot of fun we could caught a Braves game, walk around and do an Escape Room, The Void is fun they have a really cool virtual reality simulator and then after go to Ph’East I love the Poke Bowls there. To wrap up the night I would go to either The Painted Duck or Puttshack Atlanta.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The great thing about Simply Elegant Candles is that its family owned. My husband and I along with our 5 year old and 3 year old son’s love to help create some of the names and fragrances for our candle line. The boys love to tell their friends “My mommy owns her own candle business”

I have had so much growth very fast over the past few months and it would not have been possible without my Families help and support, and opportunities with Jill Miller she was my very first vendor event that I was able to set a popup shop with. I was hooked ever since, she had poured so much knowledge and she really has been a mentor with the business. I would also, love to shoutout The Ultimate Women’s Expo for giving me the opportunity to host candle making workshops for about 180 guest. With that opportunity I was able to meet a few celebrities and also some wonderful people.

Website: https://simplyelegantcandles.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyelegantcandles

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

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