Community Highlights: Meet Molly Smith of Create. Meow. Repeat. LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Smith.

Hi Molly, 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?
After starting and dropping out of college multiple times, working service industry jobs for years that were making me miserable, and just generally feeling like I had no idea where to turn or what kind of career could possibly make me feel fulfilled, I knew it was time to pivot. I started a business in 2020 that was purpose driven, gave me space to be creative, and allowed me to focus on improving my mental health, and I’ve been all in ever since! I never felt a sense of peace in any home I had lived in and didn’t feel truly fulfilled in any career path, so I decided to create my own which is where Create. Meow. Repeat. was born!

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Running a business has been both incredibly challenging and incredibly rewarding at the same time, and I imagine it will always be. I pour my heart and my energy into everything I do and I hold myself and my products to a high standard which is tough when you are your own boss. Making candles that could hold their own against a large market came naturally to me, but learning how to build a website, become a content creator, build partnerships with large corporations and venues, etc., all while navigating anxiety, depression, grief, (life!) has been a challenge to say the least. I tend to want to do all of these things perfectly, so accepting that I’m not going to get it right every time and I have to keep moving forward and keep growing is a tough pill to swallow. But being able to see the progress in all of these things and in myself makes it incredibly gratifying and motivating to keep going!

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
There are tons of candle brands on the market, so I wanted to create something that stood apart from the rest. Our focus is on high quality non-toxic products and ingredient transparency, without unnecessarily inflating our pricing in the name of “luxury.” Every element of our candles is made and chosen with intention, from our natural, vegan coconut wax base to our proprietary fragrance blends, to the label design and colors that evoke a comforting feeling of home. They are slow burning (even longer lasting than soy wax!) and are free of phthalates, carcinogens, mutagens and toxins. The standard for fragrance oil quality and candle safety in general is unfortunately very low, so it was really important for me to use supplies that were safe to burn around my cats, baby nephews, and didn’t give me headaches. I take a lot of pride in the things I create and I think that is reflected in the quality! I host candle making workshops where I can teach others about choosing better candle options and share a lot of what I’ve learned while they create their own blends! I also do custom wholesale orders for other companies, customizing everything including the label design, vessel and a unique scent that reflects their brand, providing them with a product they can trust and their customers will love without having to create it themselves!

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
After moving to LA from San Francisco at 19, it took a long time for me to feel like I belonged here. I think any city can feel lonely if you haven’t found your footing, but especially LA because there are so many faces to it, so many different niche pockets, so much going on all the time. But that’s exactly what I’ve learned to love about it. There is something for everyone here, so if you want it badly enough you’ll find it. And if not, you can create it yourself! That’s what I’ve tried to do with company, is to create a sense of home and belonging and a path that feels aligned for myself and my goals.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.createmeowrepeat.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createmeowrepeat.home
• Other: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/create-meow-repeat-llc-74568489973