We were lucky to catch up with Leslie Vallery recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Since I was a child, I’ve always had a love of books. I loved all the characters and their storylines starting with the adventures of Beezus & Ramona. My love for books continued through adulthood when I would love nothing more than to go to the bookstore on a Saturday afternoon, buy a book, come home, light a candle and read the day away.

I find though as much as I love to read, the worst part is when the book ends. Inevitably, a sense of sadness would come over me and it would feel like I’ve lost a friend. Until the next book! As with songs, scents have a way of transporting you back to your first memory of it. One particular candle I burned while reading a book and every time I burned the candle, it took me back to the book. Light bulb!

What if I could create a candle that reminds me of the book? My first candle creation was Sip of Summer inspired by the book, Wake of the Wind by J,California Cooper. In one scene, the 2 characters were finally able to relax and talk over lemonade in the middle of a field. The scene was so vivid, I actually smelled the lemonade. The next day, I made a lemonade inspired candle.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Leslie and for the most part my brand combines my love of books with candles. I think what sets me apart from other Bookish Candle Companies is the genre of books. I typically read book written by African American women and my favorite genre in historical fiction.

I pick quotes or sayings from literary characters to feature on my candles that I feel a connection to. Sometimes conversations between literary characters provide so much wisdom and I love sharing those nuggets.

Good memories are the best so if I can create something that takes you back to a happy place, that will always be my reason for continuing to create Bookish Candles.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Back in 2020 when I first decided to create a Bookish Candle company, I designed a book shaped candle that I’m currently patent pending on. I initially planned on selling that as an actual Bookish Candle, but was given a different vision for it.

This pivot actually coincided with the healing of the relationship between my daughter and myself and although it was originally designed as a book based on literary stories, this new candle has been inspired by faith stories.

I’m still in the process of pivoting and it’s a little confusing sometimes, but if you feel like it’s right, just continue to follow through with it. The answers will come, especially if HE put the dream in your heart.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn fear in the negative sense. Don’t get me wrong, its a daily struggle for me, but I’ve found that if I sit with fear too long, I feel paralyzed and end up doing nothing. I had to find a way to use it in a positive way.

I also happen to be one of those people who has to be forced sometimes to act. One day while reading in my Bible, I came across the Parable of the Fig Tree and I have no doubt that message was just for me that day. When I tell you. the thought of no longer being able to create and share my ideas and candles because they will be taken away, spooked me into action.

I’m glad to unlearn that fear can only have a negative effect, I learned that it can be used as motivation. Ironically some things like social media are easier for me now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ascentstory.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ascentstorycandleco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ascentstorycandleco
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/ascentstory