We recently connected with Thamia McClain and have shared our conversation below.
Thamia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I started my journey as an entrepreneur in 2020; while the world seemed to be falling apart, my life was coming together. I decided at the end of 2020 to fire my boss and be a full-time entrepreneur. At this time, I noticed a passion for self-care and healthy living growing in my heart. I began to practice self-care more frequently and discovered essential oils, my new besties. That’s when I submerged myself in essential oils and their unique benefits. The idea came to me one random day to create a homemade candle with the essential oils I had fallen in love with; however, I had some concerns. My concern was making an organic, non-toxic, and environment-friendly candle. Research has shown me that many of the candles I burned in my home and the market could be cleaner and safer for their customers. So, I did my diligence and learned that soy wax, coconut wax, and other organic candle waxes were an option. So, I turned my kitchen into my candle laboratory and went to work. After a lot of trial and error and with the help of a very supportive and knowledgeable friend, I found my close-to-perfect formula. On February 5, 2021, Camia’s Scents LLC was born, God’s greatest gift to me thus far. In March 2021, I announced to family and friends that Camia’s Scents candles were on the way, and in June 2021, I launched my first limited edition of candles. The response to my creations was unbelievable and reassuring, which allowed me to create four successful collections and add a new product; room & linen sprays are now a part of the family. I thank God for his instructions, guidance, and strength; without him, I would not be in a position to share my creation with the world. I am on a mission to provide organic, clean, luxurious, and eco-friendly products for the conscious living community. Every day I get the opportunity to master my craft and learn what the community likes and desires. I love being able to provide exquisite products and experiences.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am a reborn Christian after God’s very own heart. I am full of love, positivity, and light. My view on life is always seeing the glass as half full instead of half empty. A determined, optimistic, tenacious, and crazy faith believer, is also an excellent description of myself. My biggest flex is being triumphant and resilient. I got into the candle-creating industry by practicing self-care and doing something that brought me joy. I firmly believe God instructed me to start taking better care of myself, and then he blessed me with the idea to create my business. The products are handmade organic luxury candles and room & linen sprays; new products are on the way. The problem I solve is removing toxic and unsafe ingredients from our products so the conscious living community can enjoy and enhance their aromatherapy, meditation, and relaxation without worrying about harming themselves or the environment. What sets me apart from others is my focus on creating an experience that leaves the most impactful impression on every client. I want my “Candle Pals” to use my products intentionally for spiritual healing and smell goods. I am most proud of the breakdowns that I have had that led me to breakthroughs. There are many challenges and seasons entrepreneurs and business owners have to go through, and I am proud to say that I embrace them and don’t avoid them. I want my potential Candle Pals to know they matter and are valued. Camia’s Scents slogan is “Wake up and create something Beautiful” in other words, you are in control and have the power to design your happiness.
Can you open up about how you funded your business?
I could say I wrote a grand and impressive business plan before setting out on the journey, but I didn’t. LoL. The truth is I put together the initial capital to start my business with my personal savings and the stimulus checks provided by the government. I was absolutely in no way interested in borrowing or taking considerable loans to birth my business. As a Licensed Financial Professional, I understood there were better moves than getting into debt. Fortunately, my personal credit was excellent, and I was offered a business credit card while opening my business checking account. Please note I do not recommend starting any business without a basic business plan. After many classes teaching me how to write a business plan, I understand it is a vital part in getting and growing capital to start a business.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
The number one book I have to recommend is the bible. There are many principles for us to live by and wealth principles to guide us. When I began to pay closer attention to and interpret scriptures in a different light, I unlocked many doors for myself and my businesses. I recommend the following book, “The Richest Man in Babylon” by George S. Clason. This is a must-read for those looking for a financial breakthrough. The next book is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill; the title explains everything. Another book, ” The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephon R. Covey, is excellent for self-development. My following recommendation is “The Four Agreements” by Miguel Ruiz; this one changed my life. The last one I would recommend, I could go on with book recommendations, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear; once you understand the power behind your habits, you can transform them. I also have to shout out “The Secret To Success Podcast” if you are an Eric Thomas, aka The HipHop Preacher follower, you will love the knowledge and wisdom shared on this platform.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.camiasscents.com
- Instagram: @camiasscentscandles
- Facebook: @camiasscentscandles
Image Credits
Creative Director/ Photographer: Nicolette Brown Product Photographer : Brandon Ramsay