Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Uzziah Campbell. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Uzziah, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

I began making candles for my mother who was diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety and depression while working in Federal Law Enforcement. I began by watching YouTube videos, practicing on her kitchen stove, and eventually coming up with a healthy, natural product to help her cope with light and aromatherapy. Shortly after, the world faced Covid-19 and social unrest due to the constant killings of Black people: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others. I noticed that these events seemed to cause PTSD, anxiety and depression for the entire world. Using the skill of candle making that I developed to help my mom, helped me to achieve a dream of calming the world. I asked my mom if I could start a business, so that I could help others who struggle with mental health disorders and emotional pitfalls due to the things that they have experienced in life beyond their control. Out of work, and on disability, she helped me to build Calm & Cure Candle Co, a company that stands behind our mission to light the pathways to wellness, one candle at a time. To date, we’ve donated 10% of our earnings to 5 mental health organizations around the world, and several organizations who strive to bring awareness to social issues affecting local communities.

Uzziah, 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?

Calm & Cure Candle Co. is a company founded by an 11 year old kid who had a dream to help people in need of inner peace. I am now 14 years old, in 8th grade and a student athlete. I also maintain my spot on the A/B honor roll. I pride myself on making a product that is 100% natural soy, eco-friendly and helps to reduce the carbon footprint on the earth by using non-toxic ingredients and recyclable packaging. All of our products are hand poured and created in small batches, to ensure quality. Our candles have been purchased and shared throughout the nation, and 14 other countries throughout the world.

I have been featured on Good Morning America and several news stations for the impact I’ve been able to make on the world at such a young age. I received the Bigger & Better Business award from the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. and the Change Maker of the Year award from Child Mind Institute.

The thing that sets me apart from most business owners is that I didn’t start a business to make money. I started a business to make change. I donated candles to doctors, nurses, research scientists and several other first responders at the University of Washington and Fred Hutch Cancer Research Center. I donated candles to neighbors, family and friends, grocery store clerks and people I saw walking in my community. Eventually, I started selling candles so that I could continue the work. Calm & Cure Candle Co. started in the basement of our home in Tacoma, Washington, and relocated to Duncanville, Texas. in December 2020.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the greatest lessons I had to unlearn is that everyone will not like or support your business when you are successful. It does not matter your age, knowledge, race or gender, people will find a way to try and stop good work. At the start of business, there were larger candle companies that tried to sabotage our product, harass us into giving up and deter us from our purpose. I could not believe that people would say the things that I heard, about a child. It only made me stronger. I pushed harder. I refused to give up. I also realized that this was only happening because I had a dream that I was actually living, and maybe they didn’t.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

To start Calm & Cure Candle Co. I received donations from my grandparents and my mother.

Contact Info:

• Website: calmandcurecandles.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/calmandcure_candles
• Facebook: facebook.com/CalmandCureCandleCo

Image Credits
Ethan Yizong Xie