Meet Shayla Rodriguez | Candle Maker | Latina Entrepreneur

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

Hi Shayla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Deseos Candles Co was a simple dream, it was one of those things that you say “it would be so cool to “ but don’t actually go for it. I had been wanting to start a candle business since I was 15, it was a method I used growing up as an emotional stress reliever. Many people would see what I was creating and would always ask “how much” . I didn’t think people were actually serious, so I would always push it to the side. As time went by now in my 20’s, I went away for college to double major in Business Marketing and Political Science because I was attracted to help other entrepreneurs manage their businesses, developing different strategies for business to flourish, there clearly was still a spark of having a business, something my older sister, Berenice saw.Therefore for my 20’s birthday she invested in my dream she bought me all my supplies to start this business, it meant the world to me, because people believing in you like that is rare to find. I was scared. I was nervous that the business was going to fail, felt like if it failed it would be failing my sister too. I was also nerve racking trying to figure out Deseos Candle Co branding. I wanted to make sure this business was something I looked back in 10 years and still love the branding it carries. I wanted a clean, elegant and modern look which was not easy, playing with colors, fonts and many other new tactics. Everytime I make a candle I put in a lot of love because I want to make sure that our client feels it when they receive their orders. Deseos has thrived, it has given me the ability that I learn in the classroom to apply it to my business bringing a different level of passion into it.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
When I started Deseos Candles Co I committed myself to crafting candles that made individuals homes smell good but also make the client feel sexy, empowered, and elegant. We have a variety of candles, different body shapes and other home decor shapes. My biggest thing that I am proud of for Deseos is that we have an enhancement of body empowerment, each shape and gender is recognized in our business. Many candle businesses focus solely on the scent but what makes us apart is that there are different layers of focus such as scent, representations, shape, and quality. With that being said, just like we are committed to representation, quality is essential to us and that has been very challenging. I underestimated how hard it is to get a woman’s body out a candle mold, with one crack of the candle the candle is a sign of starting the candle all over, meaning we have to wait another 24 hours for the fresh new candle, which is not easy especially when we want to make sure our candles are at our clients homes asap. This business has forced me to practice patience and gentleness, you can’t rush candle molding nor can you rush taking 50 plus candles out of their molds. Running a business is not easy especially when you are running each component of it, but completely worth it. I am super excited to announce that starting 2023, 10% our monthly profits will go to The Body Positive Organization.

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?
This is super hard! I would take them to Alma Cocina. Then go for a stroll along the beltline and walk around Ponce City Market to enjoy the view on the rooftop. Dinner would either be at El Tesoro

The next day I would take them to get some dank hot and lemon pepper wangss from my stomping grounds growing up in Southside Atlanta. We could also go watch an Atlanta Hawks game

Finally, on the last day, we need to make it to Adios Cafe for the best breakfast food out there and then walk around Piedmont Park and go get some Antico’s Pizza afterward.

At some point, it would be crucial to go to Buford Hwy to get some Banh Mi sandwiches or tacos. Gotta get some Boba from Sweet Hut.

You can clearly seen I am a food fanatic of all time, I love trying new spots!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family, and my friends are my main support. They help me execute large orders and most importantly help me take out all the candles from their molds which is not an easy job since candles need to be taken with a lot of care and love. My family is very small but the help is so big when I have large orders. I have one of them doing the packaging, content creation and another one cleaning. I appreciate all of the individuals who have also bought a candle from my business, the support does not go unrecognized.

Website: https://deseoscandleco.myshopify.com

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

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

Image Credits
Shayla Rodriguez