Rising Stars: Meet Tonya Peace of Durham NC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Peace.

Hi Tonya, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was attending a showcase at the pole dancing studioi was a member of at the time and one of the activities we were doing was candle making. I was super excited about that! I loved candles and home fragrance so this was so much fun for me. I selected peppermint mocha as my candle scent, it smelked really good but not in a fake candy way. After going through the steps with the owner studio who also had a candle business i decided to purchase a candle making kit from a local but a huge candle supply company Candlescience. I shared with friends and family and the passion for creating scent experiences to have in their homes began. Overtime it developed into other home fragrance items as well as skincare with my long time recipe of body butters. The body butters are an absolute customer favorite. I have had the opportunity to create signature scents in candles and room & linen sprays for a national speaker, and a world known author. I make candles for a local lounge. I’ve been blessed to be able to create scent experiences frommany different customers. I also create custom candle gifts for special occasions.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Candle making in never a smooth road. There is lots of wax and fragrance testing. You have to test the jars and wicks as well. It’s a whole process. Most of my struggles were balancing finances to fund my new venture. It can get really expensive. What seemed to help me the most was that I wanted to create an affordable, clean luxury look for my customers.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I still work my 9 to 5 where I work in a technology transfer office. Thats a job path not many people select. I have been reporting federal funding and setting up agreements with other entities for a local university for 24 years. I really want to retire and have my own boutique that offers candles and other home items.

So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me as it relates to business it that every customer enjoys their purchase as well as their experience when meeting me in person. I always like to share candle tips that help.with not only with my candle care but when they purchase other candles. Candle care is more than just lighting your candle and blowing it out. You will get the best performance by following a few steps.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.peaceandlightcandleco.com
• Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/peaceandlightcandleco
• Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/peaceandlightcandleco