Meet Ty Christopher | Chandler & Momtie

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

Hi Ty, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting a business was providing for nieces and nephew. Needing to sustaining our lifestyle after being laid-off and unable to find employment. Life as I knew it had changed within 24 hours. I couldn’t return to a 9-5 work schedule being a single aunt of 3 children. I must be honest worried and encountering some bumps on the road while trying to bring in income. Finally after much praying and fasting, starting a business a candle business was put on heart. Candles have always been therapeutic for me so why not share my passion with the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets me apart as candle maker and entrepreneur I believe are my ethics. My goal wasn’t just to create a candle, but to create toxin-free products. I am very selective on what I use for my products. I need to make sure what I use won’t cause harm to my customer environment and body. This is why I love using essential oils as much as possible in my products. I source my oils from other small businesses who have the same ethics and morals I have with respects to our planet and well-being of people. I am so proud of the expansion of my products. I started with candles only and now I offer wax melts, body fragrance and home fragrance sprays. All of my products are hand-made and conscientiously made. I took a leap of faith a year ago by investing everything I had into creating this business. I prayed, fasted and asked for my business to be the generational curse breaker for my family. My faith gives me the strength to keep developing my business. I remember my first pop-up market was at Fair Trade Second Saturdays, I only had maybe 6 candles and 3 different aromas. There were no aesthetic to draw people to my table and I didn’t have a clue on what I needed. I remember feeling so like a fish out of water, but I just kept showing up every month if I sold something or not, I showed up for myself and for my business. The road was not the smoothest, operating a small business means taking on so many titles and learning to ask for help. If I wanted my business to succeed I needed to ask for help, so I leaned on my friends and their skills. We bartered our skills amongst each other. The lesson I learned along the way is to release control. Pop-up markets can be super unpredictable and the only thing I can control is how I act and respond. I’ve learned to always see every event as a marketing opportunity for people to get to know me and know my products in hopes that they would follow one of my social pages or purchase in the future. I want the world to know Yahweh Candles was built on a foundation of faith and continues to grow by faith. My story is a story of hope and perseverance. I hope it encourages anyone who reads this. I am walking by faith for my family. My hope is this business will become a family enterprise.The best is truly yet to come.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
oh goodness it has been forever since I’ve gone out. I guess my favorite spot would be various parts of Long Beach, We would eat and drink wine at Ellie’s, the food and wine selection is always amazing. I love hanging out on shoreline drive renting bikes or taking a tour around the marina. Saint and Second is always a fun. Walking down 2nd street is always a good time. There are so many wonderful small businesses and the people are alway friendly, too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My life have been incredibly blessed in so many ways, with being said I would like to Thank God for everything. None of this would be possible without the Most High. Secondly, I dedicate this to my mother, Peggy, she is truly my rock. She raised 5 children as a single mother and has taught me what strength, perseverance, and faith can do. I humbly am grateful for my friends, church family and every single person who supports Yahweh Candles. Their support, feedback, and words of encouragement help with the growth of Yahweh Candles. Lastly my nieces Eva and Malanie and nephew Jayloni thank you for letting me be your momtie (Auntie-Mom).Your love keeps me going.

Website: www.yahwehcandlesco.com

Instagram: yahwehcandles

Yelp: Yahweh Candles Co

Image Credits
@smpimagery