Meet Tamara Cook: Entrepreneur I Chandler

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

Hi Tamara, what do you want people to remember about you?
It’s IRONIC that this particular question was amongst the selection. I have a candle from the Oblivion Men’s Collection, named LEGACY. I want my LEGACY to instill in others that you can set out to accomplish any goal at any stage in your life. I’ve worked since I was 16, I’ve obtained several degrees and held many job titles. There was always a voice, which said “I could do more”. Leave a solid foundation for my Son, and teach him the benefits of believing that God, has a plan for us all. I want people to remember me as a fun loving, goal reaching trendsetter, who put her ALL in everything that she does.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Where exactly do I start??? Fragrance has been a passion of mine, since I was a child. I use to sneak into my Aunt’s perfumes and spray them all over myself. LOL, I further developed a love of candles, as a young adult. When I moved to Atlanta in ’97, my first apartment was surrounded by my love of candles. As, I grew older… I found myself intrigued with the different waxes (coconut, beeswax, and soy) and the complexity of how the fragrance and wax combination resulted in a candle form. This prompted my intense knowledge of creating my own fragrant candle collection. At first, I wanted to take a candle class and realized, I didn’t have the time in my work schedule to do so. One day, while watching YouTube, I typed in “candles” and that was the beginning of establishing Oblivion Candle Company. I researched various formulas, ratios and scent combinations, until I found the ones that I loved. The greatest accomplishment in my first year of launching my business, has been the support from repeat customers. It’s fine to think that your candles are good, but to have others in agreement AND spend money on your product is mind-blowing. Candle Making, is not a difficult task. However, it does require extensive calculations and measurements. Let’s just say, I’ve wasted a box of wax a time or two, before everything was perfect. I want the world to know, ALL of our candles are vegan-friendly!!!! Oblivion Candle Company uses only the finest soy and coconut wax. No harmful inhalants. We use only cotton wicks, to create the perfect flame.

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?
Atlanta has a vast selections of places to eat and visit. First stop on the list is definitely Baltimore Crab & Seafood. (I’m from Port Arthur, TX so this place reminds me of home. Next on the list is The Battery in Marietta. This is a favorite hangout of mine with eateries, shopping and people watching. Of course, I can’t leave out Avalon in Alpharetta. I have recently acquired a love of Vegan food, so we must hit up Life Bistro and for my BBQ Lovers (Hattie Marie’s Texas Style BBQ). Drinks are to come from 9 Mile Station at Ponce City Market and if the weather permits a stroll through Atlanta Botanical Gardens. MY guests cannot leave without a night of live music at Savoy’s (Stockbridge), OR prior to Covid-19… a up close and personal concert from City Winery Atlanta or outdoor concert at Wolf Creek OR Chastain Amphitheater.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize my family who has always let me bounce my crazy ideas around to them. Particularly my Cousin, Chanta Rand (Author) as well as my Son and my Grandmother. Chanta has always been there to help with designs and basic knowledge of what is needed from an artists viewpoint. She’s BADDDDD!!! My family support as a whole, but most importantly from my Son who definitely encouraged the long- drawn out nights, with sampling fragrances and assisting in photography. Last but not least, my Grandmother who raised me and taught me the scriptures of the bible and that you can do anything, if you believe in the power of prayer.

Website: OblivionCandle.com

Instagram: Oblivion Candles

Facebook: Oblivion Candle

Image Credits
Image by : VibesbyRob (Robert Cook)