Meet Essence Hodo | Candle Maker

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

Hi Essence, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance is super important! At the beginning of the pandemic it was a little easier because nothing was really open and I spent most of my time at home working on my business. But as things started to open up my work life balance started to shift. I got a part-time, slowly spent more time with friends and family, while still managing my business. One thing that I found super helpful when trying to achieve work life balance is plan plan PLAN! Write down your schedule and execute it! Don’t push work plans aside to hang with friends and don’t feel bad for going out and having fun when it’s needed!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a creative candle maker. I focus on making candles that will stand out in any space, not only from looks but also the smells too! My business was started during the covid pandemic. I won’t say the road was hard but it definitely wasn’t a walk. The biggest lesson that I learned so far is to get out of my own head. Starting a new business is only hard when you let your fears take over, but once you get out of your head and follow your heart everything will workout great!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First thing first, is breakfast at Another Broken Egg! Omg it’s hands down my favorite breakfast spot of all time! After breakfast I would take them to the Ponce City Market and the belt line. I feel like this this is the best place to be a tourist but yet mix with the locals, shop, grab lunch or just a snack, and get a good vibe of the city. And for dinner, Six Feet Under… the best seafood spot in Atlanta, nothing on their menu will fail you!

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?
There are two people I want to shoutout for keeping me motivated. First is my good friend Crystal Tilley (owner of Arlene and Co.) . She is such a great business role model. She was the one who always encouraged me to turn in passion of mine into a small business. The next person I want to shoutout my god sister Kamrie Pittman (Owner of Glam By Kamrie). She is a marketing beast, a true go-getter. She definitely keeps me on my P’s & Q’s and always reminds me that nothing I think of is too small, or too plain, and that no goal is unobtainable, and I truly appreciate her for that.

Website: Essentialessencecandles.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/essentialessencecandles

Facebook: Facebook.com/essentialessencecandles