We were lucky to catch up with Reisha Bullock recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Reisha, thanks for joining us today. What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?
When I think of legacy, I get chills. To know, feel, and believe that someday I’ll have a legacy is remarkable. Through this journey, I’ve experienced many challenges that have made me the woman I am today. When it’s all said and done, I hope my legacy speaks to the grit, compassion, and overall commitment in building a better life for those I love and those to follow. I don’t take this opportunity lightly. This space I’m in is a direct reflection of the hard work that goes into healing past traumas and committing to the grit!
Reisha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Reisha Bullock-Carter. I am a New Orleans, Louisiana native and a HBCU alum. I started Les Bullock Candles two years ago because I suffer from really bad allergies and all the candles I enjoyed made me physically feel bad. So, I wanted to create candles that even those with severe allergies could enjoy. Initially, I was in my head about whether I should move forward with creating candles due to the market being saturated with candles and body scrubs and etc.. After much research and finally building the nerve to just start, I ordered the wax and it all began. The brand I am building is clean products only. I know the struggle of wanting to experience luxury, but not knowing if you’re going to experience allergies to follow due to a single hidden ingredient. I wanted to be upfront and honest with my customers about what is in my products. I thrive on transparency and I believe that honesty takes you a long ways.
Currently, we provide all hand crafted products. We offer organic soy candles with a burn time of 45+ hours. We offer linen room sprays, lemon lavender body scrubs, intention body butters, white sage, palo santo sticks, room diffusers and more. Every product is made with an abundance of love and high vibrations.
I am most proud of the response to the products we provide. To have customers write you or see you at pop ups to tell you that your candle is one of their favorites is a major compliment. I have even had customer feedback saying the intention body butter has helped with their eczema. For me, customer feedback is a gift to continue to grow and build on the great things but also correct and build on items that may need improvement. To know that hand crafted products we make now have new homes, let’s me know that we are doing something right in the community.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The most important lesson I had to unlearn was that the black community didn’t deserve luxury. Growing up in a world where you are taught to go to college in order to have the slightest opportunity of success is what a lot of black kids were taught. Once I realized my worth as a black woman in this world, the desperation to meet the standards of White America no longer mattered. The products we create are for everyone to enjoy. However, becoming a business owner was what I wanted my community to see. We can come from many different backgrounds, but we can be business owners, we deserve luxury and we write our own standards.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
In life we are constantly pivoting and finding ways to navigate through emotions, traumas, healing, and everyday experiences. In the process of creating Les Bullock Candles, I was experiencing anxiety and depression. All while trying to create something beautiful. I bring this up to encourage those who may be struggling with anxiety and deeper emotions that you may not even fully understand or even able to articulate in moments. Working a 9-5 job that you’re not fulfilled in, experiencing everyday life, all while paying bills and just trying to stay above water. This was me. Literally working a job that didn’t fulfill me, but fulfilled the bills that came every month. After almost 5 years of doing the same repetitive steps, I decided to take a leap of faith. Bet on myself. I started my my candle company. I was still struggling with day to day life due to not wanting to peel back layers that stemmed from the root of my traumas. Finally, I started therapy. I started talking about things I’ve never spoken a word of since I was 12 years old. I started opening myself to change. I began doing the work on self. That has made all the difference for my perspective on my life and what I am working towards. Literally, the candles I make are made with love. If ever I am in a space of sadness or just simply not available, I don’t attempt to create anything. I choose to only operate from a business standpoint when my vibrations are aligned with my intention. Pivoting in all aspects of life is necessary. Many of us struggle in silence, but remember you always have a voice!
Contact Info:
- Website: LesBullockCandles.com
- Instagram: LesBullockCandles
- Facebook: LesBullockCandles