Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Brooks.
Hi Whitney, 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?
Sure! Thank you so much for having me. I am excited to be here. The story of where I am today in my career started during the COVID-19 pandemic. I began to notice a gravitational shift toward people seeking comfort within their own homes. Working from home became the “new normal” and I saw more and more people focus on improving the ins and outs of their personal living space, myself included. In addition to this, I was watching hours of the news each day and I hit a point where I knew I needed to bring a sense of peace into my home. I was pretty desperate for a cure-all. I wanted to find a way to relax and also bring moments of joy into my day. During this time period I was burning really expensive luxury candles and running through them at lightning speed. The candles made me feel comforted, but financially it didn’t make sense. I started to do my own research on how candles were made and sought out to make my own for personal enjoyment. I’ve always had a really keen sense of smell and loved experimenting with different scents so it really was just something I did for fun. The result of the samples I made and the delightful praise I received from friends and family kicked into gear this idea of starting a business.
I can proudly say that with two years under my belt as CEO, The Whitney Collection has grown in mission, creativity, product variety and distribution. In addition to selling candles through our website, we also sell on Amazon and Faire. In October of this year, we launched our first product collaboration with Covenant House of California, a non-profit shelter that provides support for youth experiencing homelessness. We also collaborated with Amazon Studios and Prime Video to create VIP candles and a live activation for one of their films, Catherine Called Birdy at The Grove in Los Angeles. This year, we were a brand sponsor for CAA’s Young Hollywood Party which benefited the non-profit organization, Communities in Schools. Aside from our presence within the community, we now have a total of nine scents in our collection, something for anyone to love. Our candles continue to receive praise on social media in the hands of top influencers, creators, and celebrities. I am very proud of how far The Whitney Collection has come in just two years and we have a lot more to showcase in 2023.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
For anyone starting a business, I would say the road at the beginning is never smooth. Success is not only built by the wins, but it is built in those moments of failure. As a new business owner, I am constantly faced with rejection. Instead of seeing it as something negative, I use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. I ask lots of questions. How you move through those moments is what defines you as a leader and also determines the future of your company. As a new brand, getting people to pay attention to you is one of the hardest things to do. There are times where I hear “no” every day. It can be discouraging at times, but I know that for whatever reason that path was not meant for me or my brand, and so you move onto the next thing. This summer when California experienced a heat wave, I had candles that melted in transit. I had never experienced that before. It was a financial loss but we learned from it. We even had issues with our printing and packaging, but again, everything is a learning experience. When you build a company from the ground up, everything is trial and error. The key is to deal with it right away, learn from it and move forward. Constantly being challenged is what brings us growth, so I welcome it wholeheartedly.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Whitney Collection. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Aww, thank you so much! Whitney Collection is a Los Angeles brand. All of our candles are made in Los Angeles by local artisans. The candles were created with the intention of bringing a sense of comfort and luxury to a space that perhaps failed to otherwise. The collection is an assortment of memories inspired by my travels abroad. Our products are referred to as accessible luxury. The prices range from $39 – $65. Our candles are made with a high-quality hybrid wax base that keeps your candles smelling strong and lasting long. We recently collaborated with Covenant House California to create a new candle for the holidays. With the purchase of a candle, a portion of the proceeds go back to the non-profit shelter. We are committing to providing a luxury experience for anyone and want to continuously give back to our community. The aesthetic of our candles are modern and chic. You have the option of purchasing a black or white candle to match any part of your home. The candles also have a hidden meaning for me as they are a reflection of my own identity being mixed-race.
My dream is that The Whitney Collection candles will transport you to a world outside of yourselves, even if just for a little.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Deciding to embark on this business full-time was the biggest risk I had ever taken in my life. In June of this year, I left a comfortable job in the entertainment industry (a place I was at for 7 years) to run The Whitney Collection full-time. I was scared but I knew it was the right choice for my own personal growth and happiness. Being comfortable had become too restrictive. I was stuck in a comfort zone and didn’t feel as though I was moving forward in the way I wanted. The only way I could move forward was to face my fears and make a conscious risk. It was absolutely terrifying, but it was the best decision I had ever made. I’m a huge believer in risk-taking. I think it is optimal for anyone who wants growth be it personal or professional. If we aren’t growing, what are we doing?
Contact Info:
- Website: www.whitneycollection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewhitneycollection_/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv36zjLEay_QjghDb-qF9kQ
Image Credits
Damon Lloyd Photography
