Meet Kasarri Loper of AfterGlow Candle Co. in Midtown Los Angeles/North Hollywood

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasarri Loper.

Kasarri, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
For years, I spent a lot of money on buying fragrance candles to burn in my home. In 2016, I decided that I wanted to learn how to make aromatherapy and fragrance oil candles so that I wouldn’t spend as much, and actually earn money from something I loved having in my own home. In that year, I was gifted a candle making set that was purchased from the web somewhere. For two years, I practiced making candles; trialing different waxes, wicks, fragrances, containers, you name it. During my trial season, I would gift my candles to family and friends as birthday or house warming presents. I would kindly ask for feedback so that I could perfect my product. It was frustrating, but trial and error got me to where I am today. Because I use coconut wax, it is harder to wick perfectly for an adequate burn since it is a softer, eco-friendly wax.

By 2018, I had perfected my wicking and fragrances, I knew which containers and lids I wanted to use, I had my logo, and I finished designing my labels. However, I was still unable to launch because 2018 was, by far, the most trialing year of my life. I survived a rocky-toxic relationship in which I ended up leaving, my gran’ma- the dearest person in my life- passed away, and I suffered other multiple loses, including friends. It was depressing but with so much keeping me down, I had to search for the light. The Lord, along with counseling with my therapist (yes, I go therapy) helped me through so much in so little time. So when 2019 hit, I made a goal to launch my business within the first six months. I went hard in mass producing candles and worked on building my site through squarespace. In memory of my gran’ma, I launched on Mother’s Day, May 12, and sold out of all fragrances within 24 hours.

Great, 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 wouldn’t say it’s been “smooth”, you know, “a smooth sea never made a skilled sailor”! The major challenge I continue to battle with is taking out adequate time during my work week to produce candles. I’m a full-time Occupational Therapist (Tuskegee University grad! T-U!!!!), so I work during the day, and leave my evenings for candle making, I only make 2-4 candles per batch because I weigh, measure, and pour by hand for perfection. And even now, I wouldn’t say they’re “perfect”, I can always improve something. There is always room to grow. Another challenge I was having was dealing with the post office breaking my containers during the shipment process. My reusable containers are made of glass and imported from India. So now, I triple package my products just to be safe.

Please tell us about AfterGlow Candle Co.
AfterGlow Candle Co. was founded in Los Angeles in 2018. My company features premium 90% coconut wax (blended with palm and soy waxes) that are infused with essential and fragrance oils. My candles are handmade in small batches and poured individually to give my customers a quality candle that not only appeals to their olfactory sense but is eco-friendly with a clean burn quality. My candles contain no paraffin waxes, include less than 10% soy waxes, and most are made with phthalate free fragrance and essential oils. My company is known for, I would say, my “eclectic” fragrances. I mix oils that are not typically paired, or even think to pair together. I think my fragrance selection, along with using coconut wax, and naming candles after my family members, sets me apart from others. I am most proud of my sales to date.

Before I launched my business, I had many doubts which included questioning my own product: Why would people buy from me? There are other black-owned candle companies made by black women. What if someone doesn’t like my scent? What if someone gives me a bad review? What if my prices are too high? I just continuously doubted myself, and the worth of my products. But with family and friends supporting me, one quote remained in my subconscious, “you gotta try Lo”. So I went forward with what “I” felt was right for “my” company. I sold out of my first 60 candles within 24 hours. I launched a second round, and those sold out within 36 hours. I am currently selling candles at a fairly good rate and I can’t be happier. The support is unmatched and I am grateful.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
My favorite memory from childhood includes my little brother Bijan. It was a hot summer day and we were outside playing with our friends. He decided to either run through some sprinklers or drench himself down using a water hose. Either way, at this point, he’s running around with wet clothes on. So he proceeded to take his clothes off, and laid them on the ground to “dry”. Mind you, he’s butt-naked at this point. He then starts to chase people up and down the street with his little thing just swinging. He wouldn’t listen to me when I told him to stop. So I go in the house and tell my pawpaw (grandfather): “PawPaw, Bijan outside running around naked”. Lmaoooooo! My grandfather must’ve went outside and whooped him all the way upstairs into our apartment. It was hilarious!! That was a great summer.

Pricing:

• Mo’Ning $33 (rosemary + lavender) – Best Seller- Aromatherapy
• Beverly $30 (sea kelp + jasmine + musk)
• Suxela $30 (coconut + vanilla + shea)
• Bijan $30 (cedar + leather)
• Ray $30 (patchouli + fig + sandalwood)
• Windsor 3000 $30 (rose + vanilla + lavender)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.afterglowcandleco.com
• Phone: (213) 434-6016
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: instagram.com/afterglowcandle.co
• Facebook: facebook.com/AfterGlowCandleCoLA

Image Credit:
Bijan “Randy” Allen

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