I have the biggest candle fetish ever! I always like for my home to smell good so I would always purchase candles. I would light a candle for just about anything. Anything there was a sale going on somewhere for candles, trust me I was there getting more than enough. I then told myself one day I’m going to make my own candles, which I did end up doing but just for fun. That later turned info my family asking me to make them. I use to get so many compliments on my candles and that I should start selling them. Everyone use to tell me that my candles look so unique. It took me a while to take the leap of faith to start my own business. I came up with the name Uneek Kandlez before I started my business. I kept saying “When I do start my business, I will name it Uneek Kandlez”. And so I did!

My name is Jaunitra Watkins, I am the Chief Candle Maker of Uneek Kandlez. I am married to the love of my life and my middle school sweetheart Robert Watkins III and have a beautiful daughter, Aalia Watkins who is 5 and keeps me busy all the time. I started making candles about 5 years ago just for fun. I got so many compliments about how unique my candles were that I wanted to start my own business. I instantly thought of the name “Uneek Kandlez” and I stuck with it. All my candles and wax melts are made with 100% natural soy wax. Soy wax is a vegetable wax made from the oil of soybeans. After harvesting, the beans are cleaned, cracked, de-hulled, and rolled into flakes. A well-made soy candle will burn cleanly and slowly. All of my products are hand made and hand poured. I have a variety of size candle jars and wax melts. I have 4oz tin cans, 10oz, 14oz, and 16oz jars. I also have Wickless Candles. These candles are perfect for anyone who does not like an open flame in their home. You simply place the candle on a warmer and enjoy the beautiful aroma. Wickless Candles are available in 4oz, 8oz, 11oz and 16oz. You can bundle them with a warmer. My wax melts are available in different shapes and sizes! I put so much love and care in my products. Your home is your sanctuary and you should only allow the best stuff inside of it!

Going to Pop Ups/ Being a Vendor and Networking with people. I wouldn’t say I am a shy person at all, but starting my business has allowed me the opportunity to meet and network with so many new people. Now and days word of mouth means a lot so I always find ways to get out and network. While I’m out shopping in a store, If I see someone in the candle section I will walk over to them and introduce myself and my business. If a particular store allow people to post their business cards, I will always make sure I put them there. You just never know, all it takes is for one person to spread the word.

Patience is key! I wanted this to come so fast that starting off I was so inpatient. When making candles, you have to have patience. There will be trial and error all the time. But that is what you learn from. I thought I knew it all starting off but I didn’t. I had many failed products and it does get expensive but I just kept on pushing because I knew I was going to like the results in the end.