Meet Yasir Naama | Founder of Sir Candle

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

Hi Yasir, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I founded Sir Candle in 2020, which proved to be quite a challenging, if not humbling time to start a business. I have always been an entrepreneur at heart and have taken risks in the past, but this time during a global pandemic, civil unrest and economic uncertainty proved to be quite the task. What is different, however, is how Sir Candle came about and the evolution leading up to where we are today. The creative process and evolution of the business unfolded naturally.

Even before the pandemic, I began a creative exploration process and challenged myself to try different mediums to get back in touch with that side of myself. This ranged from tech design, film editing, creative writing, painting and more. (at one point I even bought a guitar and tried to learn how to play!)

I have always loved a well-crafted candle and wanted to explore that process for myself. I was enamored with the process of making candles, finding therapy in it, and realizing that I was able to share that joy and comfort with others during a time in the world when we needed that the most. It dawned on me that sharing those intentions in the form of meaningful storytelling and candles is my way of putting something positive out into the world. That journey of personal creative exploration coupled with the desire to put more light in the world is what fueled me to start Sir Candle.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Sir Candle is a proud LGBTQ brand and I would love to share our mission: “Our intention with each handcrafted candle is to transport you to a memorable time and place. Scents have a powerful and uncanny ability to chronicle our memories and are intertwined with personal experiences. Sir Candle is designed to take you on a journey and elevate your environment. As a socially conscious LGBTQ brand, we strive to make all feel welcome and included. The foundation we laid out for Sir Candle in all the communities we serve is to share personal stories and inspire all to be their authentic selves. That is what is fueling our mission in illuminating the world.”

What sets Sir Candle apart is storytelling being at the forefront of the brand. Our fragrances are designed to commemorate a special memory or story. While there are plenty of great quality candles out there, we want Sir Candle to stand out in a meaningful way. You’re getting a beautifully designed candle and fragrance but it’s going to enrich your experience by sharing important stories and amplifying the voices of a beautiful community and beyond.

Fun fact, the name Sir Candle was chosen as a namesake after me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you ask me, LA can be one of the most exciting cities to visit. First off, my perspective of LA is that it’s at least 7 cities in one. Between the diversity of neighborhoods and cultures, you have the option of immersing yourself in so many different scenes all within your backyard. Then when you layer on the fact that you can go on a breathtaking hike, hit the beach, and go out for a night on the town really gives you the sense that possibilities are endless.

I’ve had countless friends come out of a visit over the years and when they are here, I like to give them a taste of what LA has to offer. First off, the food in this city is incredible…Laurel Hardware is a must for a dinner before a night out in West Hollywood, it’s great food, ambiance and close to a lot of the night life/events that you need to check out right after. Another tradition is that I would always take friends to Koreatown to experience Korean BBQ followed by a karaoke room, everyone just has a blast and lets loose for the evening.

Then I want my guests to experience a beautiful beach day. I’ve taken guests on a hike to Sandstone Peak in Malibu, followed by lunch at The Sunset restaurant before we spend the rest of the afternoon at Zuma beach. It’s a trifecta of beautiful hiking, delicious food, and a gorgeous beach day.

Then of course, it depends on who’s visiting…. that can range from tickets to a fun concert, Universal Studios, Disneyland, or a range of local museums. Really depends on what’s going on and how adventurous we are feeling.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think there are a lot of people that deserve a little credit within my story. I would like to thank and credit everyone in my life that have helped me through all the good, the bad and everything in between. When it comes to candles, I have been extremely lucky to meet kind folks within the industry that have helped guide the way. Below is a list of people that have provided special support, guidance, and services along the way.

Patrick Hodges – Creative & Art Director
Shermin Lakha – CEO/Attorney of LVLUP Legal
Effie Tanji – Founder of Bodewell Living
Denise Meagles, Angelia Allen and David Etter – Supply chain, Sourcing and All-Around Superstars

Website: www.sircandle.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sircandle/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sircandle

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sircandlela

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sircandlela/