We recently connected with Kimberly May and have shared our conversation below.

Kimberly, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The idea of Ivory and Lace started as a way of expressing my creative need outside of my daily hospital life. What most people don’t know is for the pass twenty two years my calling has always been to service. After graduation college as a Respiratory Care Practitioner and spending so much time with critically ill patients, I would find myself enjoying exploring my creativity side, I started out with a simple candle making kit which soon blossomed into a love becoming a chandler, since I was a candle collector I had a hard time find clean burning coconut wax candles at local retailers after doing research on the different waxes I just know I found my match. Coconut wax is not only a clean burning wax but a safe, non toxic non paraffin wax which makes it health to burn in your home.

Kimberly, 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?

When I started brainstorming and bringing Ivory and Lace to life my main focus was to create a candle business that establish a brand that is known to provide an ‘experience’ as well as a unique product. Presentation as well as production was meticulously thought out, executed, and presented in a way like no other candle company provides; this uniqueness is what separates Ivory & lace Candles from all other candle companies. Branding is the base of a business you must be disciplined, focused think outside the box in my business not everyone is a candle lover so I provide room sprays, Reed diffusers, luxury wax melts there is something for everyone.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

My first year in business I took on so many clients, from retailers to private label clients to brides wanting to have candles as favors for their weddings. A bride reached out to me three weeks prior to her wedding to secure two hundred candles. I know I could execute the project what I didn’t know was on the east coast it was a blizzard taking place, which put a stain on the production of labels I needed in three weeks for the wedding date. Thankfully everything worked out it’s important to set a time table when doing business and stick to it. Delays do happen.

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

If I had to give advice to other businesses owners when it comes to capital I definitely would say have your business bank account in place make sure you have your LLC in place because from there, apply for grants and securing grants will be a seamless process for you. There are so many grants available to women Hello Alice is a great resource.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ivoryandlacecandles.com/
• Instagram: Shopivorylace_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083041097031&mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Linkedin: Check out Kimberly May RCP,RRT-ACCS’ profile on LinkedIn

Image Credits
Sweet M Photography Owner Madison Smith