Meet Lakia Pearson | Owner & Candlemaker

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

Hi Lakia, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At 1133 Candles, our mission is to refresh your home, strengthen your faith and give back to the community. This business was started because God gave me the idea to make all natural soy candles that wouldn’t trigger my husband’s allergies. Two years later, we now have customers who appreciate that our handmade and scented soy candles are non-toxic and don’t make them sneeze. It’s important for us to use 100% soy wax, phthalate free fragrances and eco-friendly cotton wicks that are safe for the whole family to enjoy. We also have a unique line of scripture candles, wax melts and Christian gifts that not only smell great but help to strengthen your faith. Something as simple as fragrance with Bible verse labels give others hope and encouragement during good and bad times. Last but not least, we give a portion of our sales each month to local nonprofits who serve those in need. Lakewood Meals on Wheels provides meals to homebound seniors, Project Shepherd offers assistance to families in need and Olive Crest helps at-risk and abused children. We are more than a candle company, it is an honor to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, serve our customers well and give back to the community.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us apart is that we have a unique line of handmade soy candles, wax melts and Christian gifts for the whole family, Mahogany wood is popular with men, Rest in the Lord & Lavender Vanilla are favored by women and the youth and young adults love our Strawberry Cheesecake products! We started our business with just candles but in 2020 we introduced scented soy wax melts and they are our bestsellers. Our wax melts are handmade, all natural, easy to use, affordable and highly scented to refresh your home. We are most excited about introducing new scents throughout the year for our customers.

I’ve always had an interest in business and having the flexibility to be present with my family. Maybe it’s because I grew up seeing my paternal Grandfather who owned a barber shop and my maternal Grandparents who owned a dairy and eventually a fish market. That inspires me to do great things! My entrepreneurial journey actually began with direct sales for a few years, then I owned a baking business and today we own and operate 1133 Candles. It has not been easy but I’m grateful for the victories, hardships and experiences that led me here. I’ve learned the importance of prayer and seeking wisdom from God, perseverance, hard work and putting people before profits. We want the world to know that we are family business here to serve you with the best handmade items for your home and gift giving while also supporting our local community!

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?
Our first stop would be to have breakfast at Sunrise Cafe in Lakewood, it’s our family favorite spot. For exercise we would go for a walk or swim at the beautiful parks in the city of Lakewood. For shopping we can choose the Lakewood Mall or the Cerritos mall, both have a variety of stores depending on your preference. For lunch or dinner, we would choose any of the delicious restaurants on Candlewood Street. They have everything from Red Lobster, Outback Steakhouse, Chick-fil-A, Chipotle and so much more. We would also visit Savvy Chic Nail Cottage for relaxing manicures and pedicures. And of course we have to stop at Sugar from the Heart Bakeshop for sweet treats. Not only is the owner Krista so kind but her desserts are the best and she also carries our candles in store for her customers. My personal favorite is the Zucchini cupcake, but whatever you choose it will be delicious. The motto in Lakewood is “Times Change. Values Don’t” so our itinerary would definitely reflect that.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My loving husband Tyrone, our children Joshua and Nia, extended family and customers deserve a shoutout. This is a family business and we each have a significant role in the success of this company. We love working together as a team to make products, packing orders, shipping, marketing, you name it! Also from the very beginning, our extended family were our first customers and to this day, they not only support but help spread the word about 1133 Candles. It is a blessing to have such supportive family and loyal customers that pray for us and help this brand grow and make a difference.

Website: https://www.1133candles.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/1133candles

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakiapearson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1133candles

Other: https://www.pinterest.com/1133candles

Image Credits
Cora Archie