Meet Lauryn James | Chandlor & Motivator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauryn James and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Lauryn, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Balance is everything but in my eyes starting a business requires more work than ever! Since it requires so much work I am happy I love what I do. Luckie Starr Candles really taught me the importance of time management and self-discipline. In 2021 I just started marketing and selling my candles, I honestly had no clue how much work and dedication is required to reach the status I am aiming for. For one, I learned quickly I couldn’t only be my own boss I had to go out and get a job. And if you know, you know jobs can take up so much of your time and energy. This is where self-discipline comes in handy. I know if I do not go into work I could be penalized so this pushes me to treat my business with the same respect. It has come down to me writing weekly to-do list and goals like make 12 candles a day for 4 days a week and create social media content for the week in 1 day, etc… Over time, I definitely work more than I play, but it is totally worth it because now I can go out with my friends feeling accomplished. Work life balance is better when you love what you do. Making candles is therapy to me, selling candles is socializing to me and I’ll be real with you all… Sometimes I don’t feel like dealing with it. When this happens I either push myself and maybe take a break from one part of the process and go to another or I’ll look into leveling up and adding something new like custom candles for example and if that doesn’t work, I’ll give myself a self-care day.
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.
Luckie Starr Candles are hand-poured candles made with intention. Our recipe is designed to fill any space with unforgettable aromas based with natural soy wax. We offer a variety of different scents for you to choose from. Not only do we specialize in quality candle making, LSC also completes each candle with Angel Numbers & inspirational messages. These messages are reminders from the universe that help keep us aligned. We encourage all customers to light their candle with intention, enjoy and appreciate the space that they are lighting their candle in, lastly allow the aroma to bring peace. A few features that set LSC apart from other candles are our custom candles. Customers can go online to choose a candle and click the custom option for a label that can have whatever they want on it, we design the label for them unless they have a design already. Another cool feature is our crackling wood-wicks, not only do customers get to enjoy the aroma and light but also the subtle sound of wood crackling.
Launching LSC gave me the opportunity to grow in many ways, I especially gained confidence in myself. Two years ago if I thought something was too hard for me I wouldn’t bother dealing with it. I love my brand so much that I will do whatever research and learning necessary. So now I pretty much know I can teach myself anything if I am determined enough, even if it requires asking for help. Due to me designing my own website and doing all of the marketing for LSC, I was able to create a portfolio that got me noticed and now I am also a Marketing Coordinator for a predominant real estate company. I went to school for marketing and I was totally discouraged after graduating, feeling like I did not qualify for a career. It seemed effortless to get where I am today, but that is only because I enjoyed the journey along the way. A few of the lessons I have learned is to plan ahead, but also just start, everything does not have to go as planned exactly. I listen to Podcasts every morning on my way to work and this quote stuck with me “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” Zig Ziglar Now I do less over thinking and more just go for it! I love it here
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 I had a friend visiting me in Atlanta I would make plans to go to the Beltline for a nice walk in the city with hopes that someone is hosting a yoga class on the lawn, after we would grab a bite and cocktails at a rooftop (maybe Estrella Rooftop) later that night we would probably go to a lounge in the city. Another activity I love is horseback riding, which is the perfect Sunday activity!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to shoutout two very important women in my life. My late mother, Marsha, she is my why! I was raised by a woman who was literally a super hero without a cape and now she is a super angel. If it wasn’t for her I would not be who I am today. My candles have angle numbers with inspirational messages on them because she introduced them to me when I was younger. Numerology has stuck with me because it has shown to be true in my life. I most certainly would not be where I am in life today without her, I mean I even got my first marketing job because her friend saw my website and got me a position. Imagine how incredible of a person she was, she’s not even physically here, yet she still makes stuff happen for me.
I also want to shoutout my grandma, Michele. The women who introduced candle making to me. I love my grandma so much she has the sweetest soul ever. Shoutout to my grandma for letting me use her den to start my business, passing down so many supplies to get me started, and always supporting me by engaging with my social media post, telling her friends about LSC and giving me advice.
I love these two immensely!
Website: Luckiestarr.com
Instagram: Luckiestarrcandles
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/laurynjames
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luckiestarrcandles