Community Highlights: Meet Khaleeqa Williams of Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Khaleeqa Williams.

Hi Khaleeqa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa was officially started on March 6, 2019, in the kitchen of my apartment at the time.

When I look back at it, I often thank God for allowing me to make it this far because the road was certainly challenging in the beginning phases. Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa was originally created because as a new mother I quickly realized that sometimes we need “me” time to regroup, replenish, and refocus.

From a little girl I have always loved the aroma and essence of great smells, I truly believe that aromas can greatly affect one’s mood and energy. Right now, if you were to close your eyes and someone was to come in your presence with the aroma of a sweet potato pie this could trigger fond memories of a childhood in which you may have seen your mother or grandmother baking pies for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Through this connection to the fragrance, you are instantly sent into a feeling of joy and happiness.

My goal and aim are to craft each product with love, quality, and creativity, ensuring to consistently put the best into my products. As I noted earlier beginning stages were full of learning moments for me, I found myself at the point most entrepreneurs do where you have a grand vision but wonder how it will all come together. If there are any entrepreneurs reading this who are just starting out my advice would be to just simply start regardless of the hesitation you may feel make the first step. With Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa, I made a commitment that I would start my business on my birthday in 2019 while trusting God and pouring myself into learning everything I could about the aromatherapy industry.

I adopted a motto that I strive to implement on a daily basis within my business that motto is “Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa will meet and exceed the standard not merely meet the status quo.” I fervently believe that my customers are entrusting me to provide them with the best quality aromatherapy products possible and my role is to facilitate this request. While I have spoken about many of the trials with starting a new business but I must admit that the successes have made every experience worth it. In the first year of Unapologetically Natural being the launch, I was fortunate to build a wonderful customer base within the Raleigh – Durham area which gave me much-needed reassurance within my brand and an understanding that there was a local market for my business.

My first year was full of doing many pop-up events and networking with other entrepreneurs to create opportunities for collaboration. Through these endeavors I met many awesome fellow entrepreneurs which exposed me to the diverse small business owner market that resides within the RTP area; even more specific the vast amount of black business owners. Moving into my second year, I intentionally focused on the branding aspect of Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa. This task was a monumental task for me because of the multiple items that I choose to revamp. Within my second year, I revamped the official label of my business, added products outside of candles/wax melts which were the primary products during my first year.

Within the Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa catalog, I added decorative wax melt burners, t-shirts, face masks, hand sanitizers, car refreshers, and linen sprays. Also, I added the service of making custom candle orders for customers and label creation/printing for other entrepreneurs. Through the expansion of Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa I have ensured to be led by God at all times and always put myself in the footstep of the potential customer when making my products. A wonderful part of being in my second year of business was the many opportunities I was given to give back to the community.

During this time, I was able to participate in care packages that were created for some of the disadvantages among us and a special experience from this year was the opportunity to give a virtual candle-making class to my son’s pre-K class. I would have never in a million years thought that a group of four and five-year-old kids would be so thoroughly and genuinely interested in the process of candle making.

I believe the fact that I was making a candle that resembled a cupcake piqued their interest as well. Looking back over the past two years the journey has been filled with many amazing ventures and I fully look forward to the opportunities that lay ahead for Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I wish I could say it’s been a smooth road but it’s been far from easy. One of the struggles for me was balancing entrepreneurship while being a mom, spouse, and full-time employee in the health insurance world. I had to find out how to provide amazing customer service, do marketing, make products, do accounting, etc.

Although it was a struggle initially the lessons learned through the process proved to be invaluable and necessary to become proficient in operating my business. One of the key things to understand as an entrepreneur learning to set priorities of work, with a million things constantly needing to be done it is imperative to prioritize the order in which you will accomplish it all.

During the beginning phases not establishing this practice caused me to constantly feel like I was never accomplishing the things needed. Entrepreneurship is far from easy but it’s worth it when you begin to realize the connection that you create with your customers through your product the long grueling days early mornings and late nights become all worthwhile.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is a black-owned Candle/Aromatherapy product company based out of Raleigh, North Carolina. Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is a company committed to being innovative, reliable, and driven by integrity. The cornerstone of our company is service to our customers, with an emphasis on ensuring that customer experience is included in every stage of the creation process for products.

As a consumer of goods like everyone else, I believe we all value where we spend our money, which reinforces my commitment to have customers feel like they are always getting their money’s worth. What should be known about Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is that we strive to ensure that every customer interaction is a pleasant experience that stands out from other vendors. Another fact that should be known about Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is that as the owner I’m a believer in Christ, my faith is an anchor that keeps me grounded at all times and ever mindful that I can accomplish all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Lastly, I think that it should be known that although acquiring money is the aim of every business owner but I truly enjoy making connections with fellow entrepreneurs, serving within the community, utilizing the services/products of my business to directly help those in need. I’m a firm advocate for putting out as much good as possible because if we sow good seeds and do good deeds it returns back tenfold.

Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa specializes in everything aromatherapy!!!! Currently within the Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa we host a vast array of products ranging from candles to incense, to wax melts, t-shirts, and even coffee mugs. Currently, our products are made with all-natural soy wax and essential oils which gives each customer that added benefit outside of wonderfully scented products, they get a product that burns cleanly. I also specialize in creating customized wax melts that allow customers to get great fragrances but also allow them to wow their guests with innovative wax melt shapes.

During this spring and summer, I offered wax melts molded in the shape of my favorite flower a sunflower and got amazing feedback from my customers. Many customers often wow me with the stories of how my wax melts have been a conversation starter between my customers and their friends. As an operating principle at Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa, we thrive on ensuring that we offer items that are products that are crafted with ingenuity at the core. During the early phases of my business, I quickly noticed that it appeared that I and other vendors were utilizing the same vessel company locally. To differentiate Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa I engaged with a vessel company to acquire vessels that weren’t in wide use by companies within the local area.

A true point of difference with my company in regards to others is that we use primarily soy wax for our products. This distinction is a major one because of the added benefits to the customer by purchasing soy wax candles, these benefits included the luxury of knowing that with our candle they will get maximal burn time. Another added benefit is knowing that while burning a candle from Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa they won’t have to worry about the candle affecting any allergies because the wax burns cleaner, which allows our candles to be both therapeutic and good for the environment.

Lastly, I would say that something that sets my candle company apart from some others is the attention to detail spent ensuring that my labels support awareness causes such as Alzheimer’s, breast cancer, Juneteenth, as well as labels for the applicable seasons of the year.
I’m proud of all the endeavors that I have undertaken with Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa. I’m furthermore proud of all the products that I have come to create but if I had to choose one thing that I’m proudest of it would be my vast candle selection. Often times, if I do an event customers’ number one line, is “I wish I could buy all of these because they all smell so amazing”.

Even after hearing this line quite a few times, it fills my heart with joy every time it is said because it reaffirms for me that my customer base really sees the value in what Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is bringing to the table within the Aromatherapy industry. When an avid customer of a major candle company brand told me that they switched completely over to using Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa products I realized that I had truly etched out a spot for myself within the marketplace and the feeling was elating.

To the Voyage readers, I would love for them to know that Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is the candle company for you. Where we take pride in earning and retaining the business of our customers daily, where we understand that it is an honor to be patronized by your business and we value every interaction. I would love for your reader to know that we currently sell the following products candles (in varying sizes), wax melts, incenses, car diffusers, linen sprays (safe to use on all materials), wax melt warmers that double as a candle warmer, foaming hand soaps, T-shirts, coffee mugs, wine glasses, and wick trimmers.

We also offer an arrangement of services that include custom candle orders (candles for wedding favors, bridal showers, and ceremonies), date night relaxation packages, label printing, simple label design, and custom T-Shirt designs. I would love for voyage readers to know that this winter Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa will be giving customers what they have been asking for which is a depth candle-making class, be sure to be on the lookout for this awesome class.

Lastly, voyage readers should know that Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa is a customer-centric business that understands the value of creating a positive connection with every customer, we strive to ensure that you feel satisfied after using one of our products.

What matters most to you?
This is an amazing question and one that I often think about to ensure I’m grounded while pursuing my aspirations. I would say that there are three things that matter most to me; my faith, my family, and my freedom.

My faith matters first because it has guided me and helped me along this journey called life in ways that can’t even be explained in short let me say that God is good. My faith helps to create a moral compass for me that allows me to be more understanding, compassionate, empathetic, and overall kind to everyone. Through the teaching of my faith, I feel enlightened on a daily basis and confident in my decision-making because I know at my core I’m being led properly. Applying tenants of my faith to my business has allowed me to interact with a wide and diverse customer base while ensuring that everyone feels invited and welcomes at Unapologetically Natural by Khaleeqa.

My family is a very close second because they help me daily traverse through life and support me while growing my business. My family is very important to me they are the energy that propels me oftentimes to keep going. I’m super family-oriented, I profoundly believe in the idea of giving people their flowers while they are here to appreciate them. My husband and son are truly my backbones they support me in so many amazing ways constantly cheering me on as I venture to expand my business.

Nothing is more beautiful than my son telling me after making a product “Oh mommy this smells great, your customer is going to love this”, warms my heart every time. My family also serves as a motivating force to take my business as far as possible because I want to create generational wealth that can be passed on for years to come. I have grandparents that are getting older in age who I whole-heartedly hope I can provide an easier lifestyle because they have worked hard for all their life.

My freedom is third and when I say freedom I’m not just speaking in regards to physical freedom but rather all freedom from financial, spiritual, and creative freedom. I believe that obtaining freedom in this area can create a lifestyle that is more fulfilling, we are often prisoners to circumstances that we can change with hard work/discipline. My ultimate goal is to be able to enjoy overall freedom daily and help those around me accomplish this goal as well. Through achieving this task we are able to do as one of the T-Shirts I sell says “Be Unapologetically Yourself.

Voyage interview, I emphatically appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed by your company.

Pricing:

• 3-ounce Travel Size Candle: $6.00
• 7-ounce Medium Candle: $16.00
• 3 Wick Candle: $22.00
• Wax Melts: $4.00
• Foaming Hand Soaps: $6.00

Contact Info:

• Email: info@unbykb.com
• Website: www.unapologeticallynaturalbykb.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unapologeticallynatural_by_kb/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnapologeticallyNaturalbyKhaleeqa/

Image Credits
Awakenings Unlimited, LLC (Whitney Allen)