Meet DeMarkus & Ko Trinidad-Williams | Co Founders Of Soul Food Candle Co

We had the good fortune of connecting with DeMarkus & Ko Trinidad-Williams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi DeMarkus & Ko, what inspires you?
We’re deeply inspired by identity, culture, and community, especially through the lens of our own lived experiences as Black and Brown creatives. Our work is a reflection of the stories we carry, from the traditions we grew up with to the ones we were welcomed into by our extended and chosen families. Whether it’s the smell of a dish passed down for generations, the sound of laughter at a block party, or the sacred rituals of self-care, we draw from the beauty and complexity of our cultures. That connection to where we come from and who we come from, fuels everything we create.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We’re incredibly proud of the growth we’ve experienced in just under four years. As first-generation business owners, we’ve had to learn so much while navigating challenges that many established brands never face, especially as a QTBIPOC-owned business. From the start, we’ve remained intentional about protecting our art, style, and mission from being co-opted or diluted by culture vultures and larger brands who’ve tried to replicate what we do without truly understanding it.

What sets us apart is that we don’t just make candles, we create culturally driven, story-rich home products that reflect the lives and memories of underrepresented communities. Our scents tell stories, spark nostalgia, and honor our identities and the identities of those who’ve felt overlooked in traditional retail spaces.

We’re also committed to growth that’s collaborative and community-centered. As we continue to evolve, we’re excited to work alongside other QTBIPOC artists to bring even more authentic perspectives to our scent curation and visual storytelling.

The truth is, our brand isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. We’re not here to play it safe. We’re here to make home products that help people feel seen, affirmed, and celebrated. Soul Food Candle Co. is unapologetically QTBIPOC-inspired, and that will never change. That’s our story and we’re just getting started.

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?
Hands down, we’d take them to Black Market Flea (@blackmarketflea). It’s one of our favorite events in L.A. A vibrant gathering of Black artists, business owners, food vendors, and performers from all over. It’s the perfect space to eat, shop, dance, and connect in a Black queer-friendly environment that feels like joy in motion.

You can even find Soul Food Candle Co. there, so it’s always extra special for us. There’s no better way to experience the spirit of community, creativity, and celebration all in one place.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
We want to dedicate our shoutout to our community, lovingly known as the Soul Food Fam. From the moment we launched, it felt like the people we created this brand for knew exactly what it was about. Their support has been the backbone of our growth, from our early days at local markets, to now operating mainly online through our website, soulfoodcandleco.com.

They’ve pushed us, inspired us, and reminded us why representation matters, not just in words, but through scent, storytelling, and imagery. Because of them, we’ve gone from pouring candles in our apartment to working out of a dedicated studio. The way they show up, both online and in person, continues to fuel everything we do. We truly wouldn’t be here without the Soul Food Fam. This is as much their story as it is ours.

Website: https://Soulfoodcandleco.com

Instagram: @soulfoodcandleco

Facebook: Soulfoodcandleco

Other: TikTok: soulfoodcandleco

Image Credits
Founder shot by Sage

https://www.instagram.com/sage.sage.sage.sage.sage.sage?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

All candle photos taken by cofounders DeMarkus and Ko Trinidad-Williams