We recently connected with LaKarla Brown and have shared our conversation below.

LaKarla, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

When I first had the idea for my business, it didn’t start as a business at all. It started with frustration.

I loved candles and home fragrance, but store-bought candles just weren’t doing it for me anymore. Either the scent didn’t last, the throw was weak, or they all started to smell the same. I wanted something stronger, more colorful, and more expressive — something that felt like an experience instead of just a product sitting on a shelf.

At the same time, I’ve always loved fragrance, creativity, and the symbolism of butterflies — growth, transformation, becoming. So the idea started forming: what if I created home fragrance products that not only smelled amazing but also felt joyful and meaningful?

That’s when the curiosity kicked in. I started researching everything — wax melts, fragrance oils, ingredients, equipment, and the overall process of making home fragrance products. I was learning through tutorials, blogs, and a lot of trial and error. There wasn’t a clear roadmap, just a desire to create something better than what I was buying.

Then came the testing phase, and that’s where execution really started. I experimented with different wax types, fragrance loads, molds, and textures until I found what worked. Not every batch was perfect. Some didn’t smell strong enough, some didn’t look right, and some just didn’t perform how I wanted. But every mistake gave me clarity.

While I was figuring out the product, I was also building the identity of the brand. I created the name Kandle Kemistry Co., and the butterfly theme became central because it represented transformation — something deeply personal to me. I developed my colorful aesthetic, scent naming style, and eventually my tagline, Where Colors Bloom and Fragrances Fly. That was when the idea stopped feeling like a hobby and started feeling like a real brand.

From there, I had to move into logistics. I had to figure out packaging, pricing, supply sourcing, labeling, and how to consistently produce small batches. I also had to set up selling platforms, learn shipping and fulfillment, and prepare product photos and descriptions. It was exciting but overwhelming because there were so many things happening at once.

Emotionally, launching was one of the hardest steps. It meant being visible, investing money without guaranteed return, and trusting myself enough to put my work out into the world. But I knew waiting for perfection would keep me stuck.

My launch wasn’t one big dramatic moment — it was a series of small brave steps. Posting my products, telling people what I created, getting my first order, and learning customer feedback in real time. That first order made everything feel real.

Since then, the journey has been about growth and evolution. I’ve refined my products, expanded collections, experimented with marketing, and continued developing my brand voice and storytelling. I’ve learned that marketing can be harder than making the product, growth isn’t linear, and consistency matters more than perfection.

What stands out the most is that my business has grown alongside me. Kandle Kemistry Co. isn’t just something I created — it reflects my own journey of becoming. It all started with frustration over store-bought candles not meeting my expectations, and that frustration turned into curiosity, creativity, and eventually a business.

If I had to sum it up, I didn’t wait until I had everything figured out. I started with an idea, stayed curious, learned through trial and error, and kept moving forward even when things felt uncertain. And honestly, I’m still in that process — still learning, still evolving, and still becoming.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Karla, the founder and creative behind Kandle Kemistry Co., a home fragrance and self-care brand rooted in transformation, creativity, and emotional connection. My journey into this space didn’t start with a business plan — it started with frustration and curiosity.

I’ve always loved candles and home fragrance, but over time, store-bought candles just weren’t doing it for me anymore. The scents didn’t last, the throw felt weak, and everything started to feel repetitive. I wanted something stronger, more expressive, and visually exciting. That curiosity led me down a path of research, experimentation, and eventually creation.

As I began learning how to make home fragrance products, I realized this wasn’t just about wax and scent — it was about storytelling and experience. The butterfly became the heart of my brand because it represents growth, evolution, and becoming, which reflects both my personal journey and the journey I hope my customers feel when they engage with my products.

Kandle Kemistry Co. specializes in flameless home fragrance, with our signature product being wax melt crumbles — a colorful, customizable twist on traditional wax melts that allow customers to blend, layer, and personalize their scent experience. In addition to wax melts, I also offer sprays and complementary home fragrance products designed to bring warmth, comfort, and personality into everyday spaces.

What sets my brand apart is the combination of creativity, intentionality, and emotional connection. I’m not just selling fragrance — I’m creating sensory experiences that encourage relaxation, self-care, and personal expression. Every scent, color palette, and collection is thoughtfully developed to evoke a feeling, memory, or mood.

The problem I aim to solve is simple but meaningful: many home fragrance products feel generic or transactional. I wanted to create something that felt personal, vibrant, and emotionally resonant. My customers aren’t just buying a product; they’re creating an atmosphere, elevating their space, and embracing moments of comfort and joy in their daily lives.

One of the things I’m most proud of is building a brand that reflects authenticity and growth. Entrepreneurship hasn’t been a straight line for me — it’s been a journey of learning, resilience, and constant evolution. Watching my idea transform into a brand with a clear identity, loyal supporters, and expanding product offerings has been incredibly rewarding.

I’m also proud of the community that has formed around my brand. My audience isn’t just customers — they’re supporters, creatives, and individuals who connect with the message of transformation and self-expression. That connection is something I deeply value and continue to nurture.

What I want potential customers and followers to know most is that Kandle Kemistry Co. is built with intention and heart. Every product is handcrafted in small batches, every collection tells a story, and every detail reflects my commitment to quality and creativity. I don’t believe fragrance should be an afterthought in someone’s home — it should be an experience that enhances mood, sparks joy, and makes a space feel uniquely yours.

At its core, my brand represents becoming. Becoming more confident, more creative, more expressive, and more intentional about the environments we live in. My work is a reflection of that journey, and I’m honored to share it with others.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Resilience has been a constant theme throughout my journey as an entrepreneur, but one moment that stands out is realizing that passion alone doesn’t make a business sustainable.

When I started Kandle Kemistry Co., I was excited and deeply connected to the vision. I had invested time, energy, and money into creating products, building my brand identity, and showing up online. But as time went on, I started facing challenges that many small business owners experience but don’t always talk about openly — inconsistent sales, marketing struggles, financial pressure, and moments of self-doubt.

There was a period where I felt overwhelmed by everything happening at once. I was trying to grow my business while also navigating personal responsibilities, mental and emotional stress, and the reality that entrepreneurship can feel isolating. I had moments where I questioned whether I was doing enough, moving fast enough, or even on the right path.

At one point, I made the decision to step back from social media for a while. That was difficult because visibility is such a big part of running an online business. But I recognized that resilience doesn’t always look like pushing through nonstop — sometimes it looks like resting, recalibrating, and protecting your mental and emotional well-being.

During that time, I leaned into reflection. I revisited my “why,” reconnected with the purpose behind my brand, and gave myself permission to evolve instead of forcing progress. I reminded myself that building something meaningful takes time and that setbacks don’t erase the work already done.

What made that experience a defining moment of resilience was choosing not to quit. Instead of walking away, I returned with clarity, renewed creativity, and a deeper understanding of myself as both a business owner and a person. I began approaching my brand with more intention, focusing on growth rather than perfection and recognizing that resilience is about adaptability, not constant productivity.

That season taught me that entrepreneurship isn’t just about product launches or sales milestones — it’s about emotional endurance, faith in your vision, and the willingness to keep becoming even when the journey feels uncertain.

Today, I view resilience as one of my greatest strengths. Every challenge has strengthened my confidence, deepened my purpose, and reminded me that growth often happens in the quiet moments when no one else is watching.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media has been a journey of experimentation, consistency, and learning how to show up authentically — even when growth felt slow.

When I first started Kandle Kemistry Co., I didn’t have a large audience or a polished content strategy. I simply started by sharing what I was creating. I posted my products, behind-the-scenes moments, and pieces of my process. At the time, I wasn’t focused on perfection; I was focused on visibility.

Early on, I realized that people don’t just connect with products — they connect with people and stories. So I began sharing more of my journey as a small business owner, including the highs, the challenges, and the learning moments. That shift helped my audience see the heart behind the brand rather than just the product itself.

Another important part of building my audience was consistency. Growth didn’t happen overnight, and there were periods where engagement felt low. But I kept showing up, posting content, experimenting with different formats, and paying attention to what resonated with my audience.

I also leaned into my brand identity. The butterfly symbolism, vibrant colors, and sensory storytelling became recognizable elements that helped differentiate my content. Instead of trying to mimic trends exactly, I learned how to adapt them in a way that still felt aligned with my brand voice and aesthetic.

Engagement played a huge role as well. I made an effort to interact with my audience, respond to comments, ask questions, and create content that invited conversation. Social media stopped feeling like a broadcast platform and started feeling like a community space.

At times, I stepped back from social media to rest and recalibrate, which was also an important part of my journey. Those breaks helped me return with clarity and creativity instead of burnout. Building an audience isn’t just about constant posting — it’s about sustainability and staying connected to your purpose.

Today, I view audience building as an ongoing process rather than a destination. My focus has shifted from chasing numbers to nurturing connection, storytelling, and brand consistency.

For those just starting to build a social media presence, my biggest advice would be:

First, start before you feel ready. Many people wait until their content is perfect, but clarity often comes through action.

Second, focus on connection over perfection. People are drawn to authenticity and relatability more than polished content.

Third, be consistent, even when growth feels slow. Audience building is often a quiet process before it becomes visible.

Fourth, develop a recognizable identity. Whether it’s your aesthetic, voice, or storytelling style, consistency helps your audience remember and connect with you.

Fifth, engage with your community. Social media is meant to be social, so responding, interacting, and creating conversation-based content can significantly impact growth.

Finally, give yourself permission to evolve. Your content, strategy, and voice will change over time, and that’s a sign of growth, not inconsistency.

Building my audience has taught me that social media success isn’t about going viral — it’s about showing up, staying authentic, and creating meaningful connections over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kandlekemistryco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kandlekemistryco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/kandlekemistryco
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kandlekemistryco