We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laniece Carter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laniece below.
Laniece , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
The way how I came up with the name of my business was through trail and error. I was constantly finding ways to make a candle that smells good and burns well. When I got the science of making candles I lit the candle (which was GreenTea and Lemongrass scented; my first successful candle). During the duration of the candle being lit I did house chores and watched a few shows. The candle was lit for a total of 4 hours and when I put the candle out it still looked as if I only had it lit for 1 hour and the smell was constant. So I said to myself I need a name that would define this long lasting burn, and I came up with Eternal Lights by LA Carter. Not only is the burn long lasting, but the scent/smell is long lasting as well.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I started my business during the peak of the pandemic. I went online to purchase candles and I noticed they didn’t have a sale; I complained and complained while talking to my mom about how can they not have a sale during these hard times. And my mother responded “So make your own!” And that’s when the flash light in my head went on and I started my journey. Here’s a little background about Us: Here at Eternal Lights by LA Carter; we make natural hand poured soy candles. Our main goal is to bring comfort, happiness, relaxation, and love into your home. These candles are made with love and cured with more love. The word “eternal” represents our everlasting burn; and hopefully an everlasting experience for you all. Due to our candles being natural you will experience minor flaws. The flaws are minor, but the aroma and feeling the candles bring into your home are major. I like to tell my customers “Natural candles are like humans; they have flaws, but shine bright in their darkest moments.” I chose to make all natural candles because I want my Eternal Family (customers) to experience and enhance the beauty of flaws within natural candles, but acknowledge that with these flaws the candles still serves its’ purpose. The purpose is to heal, relax, comfort and create a happy home through the aroma and eternal burn they have. Also, natural soy candles are environmental friendly, burn times are long, do not release dangerous fumes into the air, and have stronger soft throw and hot throw.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
The lesson that I had to learn is that friends and business are two different platforms. And what I mean by that is, your friend is your friend and your business is your brand. The same as your friends can go to Popular brands and spend thousands of dollars to keep up with trends; they should do the same for your brand instead of looking for a discount or some type of freebie. Your business shouldn’t be based on friendship but should be based on growth, success and your vision. Keep friends as friends and lay out your boundaries for your business. Keep the same energy across the globe for your business.
Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?
During my pregnancy I was trying to do a Black Girl Magic collection to sell. I had a doctors appointment but I was so in a rush to get this collection done and was on my way to drop off some candles to artist Lena to paint for the collection. I was about 6/7 months pregnant and as I was driving trying to get to Lena and back home for my doctors appointment. I almost got into a car accident as I was getting into a lane another car sped to rush in front of me and nearly hit me.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.eternallightsbylacarter.com
- Instagram: _eternallights_
- Facebook: Eternal Lights by LA Carter
- Other: TikTok: lacartercandles