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

Hi Loren, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It all started out as a hobby. In the Spring of 2019, I was on YouTube looking for DIY products to pass some time. I had just started my life as a new wife and my husband just so happens to be in the military. When I moved to North Carolina in October 2019, I had to get adjusted to being away from my family, friends and loved ones. I was homesick for almost two years, even with family and my best friend visiting during the pandemic while I was pregnant with my son.

In November 2019, I started making candles after no luck of finding a job. Due to doubt, fear and hesitation, it took me a while to create my website. After no luck finding a job and getting tired of not making my own money, in February 2020, right before the pandemic hit, I launched my website, LorenLoves.com. My husband’s co-workers, our family members and friends have supported my business from day one and I am extremely grateful for it.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As aforementioned, my business started out as a hobby. I never thought that I would be making and selling candles and body care products. Creation can be as simple or as complex as one chooses. Depending on the difficulty level, a person can achieve any dream they choose.

Making the candles was easy. The difficult part started when I found out I was pregnant. In April 2020, five days before my husband and I’s first wedding anniversary, we found out we were expecting our son. That’s when things really shifted into gear. A few weeks into my first trimester with the business going and orders coming in, I started to feel the highs and lows of pregnancy due to morning sickness and fatigue.

In October 2020, I went to a checkup and found out that I had pre-eclampsia, amongst other health issues, and ended up having a C-Section. My son stayed in the NICU 45 days while I stayed in the hospital for eight days. Between moving to a first floor apartment, recovering from my health issues, I ended up taking a vacation to Charlotte in March 2021 and ended up moving back to L.A. in May 2021, where I created the rest of my current inventory for my relaunch.

Long story short, I have endured so much in my whole life from being born premature myself to losing both parents at young ages, moving away from home, health issues, etc. I am a survivor, but I am choosing to thrive. I am so grateful for my family, friends and loved ones who have helped me get through it all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well both of my best friends are originally from Los Angeles, specifically the Inglewood and LaDera Heights areas. Now, my husband’s side of the family are from the East Coast and MidWest and had traveled to Los Angeles for the first time two years ago for our wedding. Of course they complained about the prices, traffic, etc but nonetheless they enjoyed themselves.

Touristy things are the jam in L.A. The first thing on most people’s mind is food which means In-N-Out or even tacos. As a classically trained chef, I would pat myself on the back and say mine is better. In-N-Out is the staple on the West Coast because of it being simple and affordable. The Santa Monica Pier and even Venice Beach are great especially in the early morning or at night when it can be less crowded. There is always something to get into!

For those who drink, Downtown LA or Koreatown is great for getting dressed up, exploring the city nightlife and people watching.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My aunt Janet is probably the main individual I could not have started this business without. She has always motivated me to work hard and dream big. I have always been a creative person and I love learning about everything that I can. She helped raised my brother and I, after our parents passed away at different points in our lives, as well as my cousin, who is like a sister to me. Along with running the head of production at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, she has won four Emmys. As a fellow creative, she has allowed me to go with the flow with the many trials and personal issues that I have gone through.

My husband is also another person who I gain inspiration from. He is the one who named my business, Loren Loves.

Website: www.LorenLoves.com

Instagram: @_lorenloves

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.