Community Highlights: Meet Ivory Carthen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ivory Carthen.

Hi Ivory, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
When I was in elementary school, my teacher told me I wasn’t smart enough for school. She said I’m better off getting a husband that can take care of me. I believed her. I mean, she is the adult and knows what’s best, right? I continued on with my education, believing I wasn’t smart. If I struggled with a subject or didn’t understand something, I blamed it on my intellect. Despite having good grades and being an honor roll student, the thought was always in my mind that I wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t until I went to high school at Central Visual & Performing Arts in St. Louis, Missouri, that I realized what that teacher said was a complete lie. I graduated from elementary, middle, and high school without being held back. If what that teacher said was true, I would’ve never made it this far. I then went on to college and received my associate’s degree in Business Administration and started a candle business.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Up until high school, the road wasn’t easy because I didn’t believe in myself despite of my accomplishments. In some areas of my life, I didn’t apply myself because I felt it was pointless. I thank God for a driven mother who pushed me to be great. Who told me I was good enough and basically built me up. Of course, it took me some time to believe it but I eventually got there. Now, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Now, I put my all into everything I do and dismiss the lies that were placed on me. Especially when running my business.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ivory Raine Candle Company was created to help bring a luxurious, anointed experience to our customer’s homes with high-quality fragrances that will illuminate their space. Ivory Raine Candle Company is cruelty-free, 100% vegan, and free from toxins and phthalates. Our candles are hand-poured in small batches to ensure quality. Our candles are also made of natural ingredients like coconut soy wax, wood wicks (which crackles like a mini fireplace), and custom blended fragrances that will make any home smell heavenly. We believe you deserve to have peace of mind using our clean-burning candles in your homes and around your families. We also spiritually encourage and uplift women and men all over the world with biblical scriptures through our faith-based luxury candles.

What sets us apart is a simple fact that we care. If you take a look at the ingredients in your favorite store brand candle, you will find that they use paraffin wax which is made of a petroleum waste product that is chemically bleached, causing a highly toxic environment in your home. Many people don’t know that some candles can be harmful to inhale. That’s where we step in to provide a non-toxic option to our customers.

Not only are our candles non-toxic, but they are also luxury, so you’ll get the full luxury unboxing experience that you so much deserve. Our packaging is eco-friendly, recyclable, and our packing peanuts are biodegradable. Feel free to join our mailing list for 15% off your order.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5 to 10 years, I see my industry constantly shifting with trends. People love trendy things. As candle makers, we should take full advantage of these situations or we can possibly sink. Whether there is a popular fragrance, a trendy saying, or a non-toxic ingredient. The candle industry is always changing for the better. We just have to adjust quickly and keep up with what the people want while sticking to our mission and remaining unique.

Pricing:

• 8oz Candles: $26.00
• Jumbo Tealights: $12
• Jumbo Tealight Sample Pack: $50
• Wick Trimmers: $12

Contact Info:

• Email: CustomerService@IvoryRaine.com
• Website: IvoryRaine.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivoryrainecandleco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IvoryRaineCandles
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@ivoryrainecandles?lang=en