We were lucky to catch up with Katrina Thacker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katrina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

At the beginning of the pandemic, I was overwhelmed with stress and uncertainty. I turned to candle-making as a personal coping mechanism because the act of blending scents and pouring wax was incredibly therapeutic and calming. I found myself buying more and more candles, but even though they smelled amazing, something felt missing. I craved candles that carried deeper meaning, cultural connection, and emotional resonance.

As I began making my own, it became a healing ritual for me. I started gifting them to friends and family, and the feedback was overwhelming; they shared how the candles brought them peace, calm, and emotional comfort. That positive response made me realize this wasn’t just helping me; it was helping others, too. That was the moment I saw the potential for something bigger.

In October 2020, when I lost my job, I took it as a sign to fully pursue this passion. I named the brand Nzuri Kulture,“Nzuri” means “good” in Swahili, representing the beauty in healing, gratitude, and cultural connection that I wanted each candle to embody.

I launched Nzuri Kulture with the intention of creating candles that were more than fragrances; they were experiences rooted in healing, gratitude, culture, and mindfulness. I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because there was a real gap in the market for intentional, spiritually aligned candles that speak to emotion and identity. What excited me most was the power of intention candles to shift moods, cultivate gratitude, and help people feel grounded. Nzuri Kulture became my way of turning struggle into purpose, offering others the same peace and emotional connection that candle-making first gave me.

Katrina, 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 journey into the candle industry was not traditional. I am a former government employee of 13 years who transitioned into entrepreneurship during the pandemic at a time when I was seeking emotional relief and healing. Before stepping into wellness and intentional living, I was also a baker, someone who always found peace in creating with my hands. As I deepened my healing journey, I also became a Reiki practitioner, which opened my eyes to the powerful connection between energy, emotional balance, and everyday rituals.

Nzuri Kulture was born from that intersection of healing, creativity, and intention. The name “Nzuri” means “good” in Swahili, representing the beauty found in personal growth, emotional wellness, and cultural connection. What started as candle-making for stress relief evolved into a brand rooted in energy alignment, peace, and meaningful self-care experiences.

Today, Nzuri Kulture offers more than just products; we provide emotional support tools for people seeking calm, balance, and daily ritual. Our offerings include intention candles, dessert-inspired candles, eczema relief products, skincare, aromatic sprays, fine fragrances, and spiritual essentials like sage. Whether someone needs soothing, spiritual cleansing, grounding, or luxury fragrance, each product is designed to evoke emotion and encourage intentional moments of self-connection.

What sets Nzuri Kulture apart is our fusion of energy healing, cultural richness, sensory experience, and emotional storytelling. Each intention candle is created with purpose, often aligned with themes like gratitude, healing, alignment, or ancestral connection. My Reiki practice allows me to infuse energetic intention into the creative process, making each product feel like a moment of peace rather than just a purchase.

I am most proud of my transformation; never would I have imagined leaving government work after 13 years to build a brand that is deeply rooted in healing and purpose. Turning my stress and uncertainty into a platform for emotional wellness and community has been one of the greatest blessings of my life.

More than anything, I want people to know that Nzuri Kulture is about creating beauty through healing. When someone lights one of our candles or uses one of our products, I want them to feel grounded, seen, uplifted, and reminded that their peace is sacred.

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

I initially bootstrapped Nzuri Kulture from my own savings, carefully investing in the materials and tools needed to create my products while keeping overhead low. Starting with my own resources allowed me to fully shape the brand and product line according to my vision, without outside influence.

As my business began to gain traction, I recognized the need for additional funding to scale thoughtfully. I am now actively pursuing opportunities through grants, cohorts and pitch competitions, which not only provide financial support but also validate the business and open doors to mentorship, networking, and exposure.

This combination of personal investment and strategic external funding reflects my commitment to building Nzuri Kulture sustainably and intentionally, ensuring every step is rooted in purpose and growth.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best sources of new clients for me have been through events and social media. Events give people the chance to see, smell, and touch my products, which really helps them connect with what I offer. Social media also plays a big role, allowing me to reach customers who might not meet me in person but are drawn to the story, scents, and experience of my products.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nzurikulture.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/nzurikultre
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/nzurikulture
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/nzurikulture
• Other: https://tiktok.com/nzurikulture