We had the good fortune of connecting with Demetrice Strapp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Demetrice, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
Purpose Don’t Need Permission – this is a quote that came to mind very early on when I started my business. To me, it means that each one of us walking this earth has a god given purpose and assignment on our lives. It’s something that is innate and specific to the person. It’s something that you’re gifted to do in a way that only you can do it. Whatever that purpose is, there is no one that needs to give permission for operating in that purpose. It’s something you should do unapologetically and regardless of who does or doesn’t support it. Your purpose don’t need permission!

 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Crafting candles is truly an art and a science at the same time. One that I did not expect to fall in love with as much as I have. I didn’t think of myself as a creative person prior to starting my business. However, over the years I have grown so much in my creative space and it comes natural to me now. At The Crowned Candle Company, we pride ourselves on the quality of our ingredients used to craft our handmade candles. I can personally attest that each candle is hand poured from handcrafted premium soy wax, fragrance oils which are free from hazardous chemicals or carcinogens often found in fragrance oil & cotton core wicks. I am the maker & creator at The Crowned Candle Company. My personal energy, creativity, & craft goes into each candle that I make and that personal touch is what sets me apart. I’ve come to learn that people don’t necessarily buy a product or service from you. They buy YOU! Your product and/or service may be the common denominator among you and other brands. Entrepreneurship is not a one size fit all. There are a lot of sleepless nights and sacrifices that come with this journey. Starting out is hard especially if you are doing something that you’ve not seen someone do before. When I started this candle company, I had not ever known anyone who’d successfully managed a black owned candle brand. However, I knew in my heat that this was something I had to do. With the grace and unwavering favor of God I have been able to consistently move this company from where I started from in 2018 to where she is now in 2021.

Bottom line is if you don’t show up in your business, you won’t have a business to show up to. My customers are so amazing and they support me & my business consistently. I show up and make candles that they love consistently. I fight through the tough moments consistently. I follow the trends in my industry whether it be on marketing, products, vendors, materials, etc. . consistently. Whatever is done with consistency, is where your fruit will grow and will grow in abundance! Challenges will come in all shapes and forms. When the challenges present, I have to be able to identify what type it is and then I can decide how I will deal with it. I’m a believer in the better I am as a person, the better I will be as a business owner, as a mother, as a friend, etc.. Don’t just go through it, grow through it!

Along the way I am learning that I must prioritize my rest time just as much as I prioritize my grind time. We get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the grind, getting the bag, closing the deal, getting a check, etc.. We forget that taking intentional time to rest and recover is a necessity. I make it a priority to take care of myself because I can’t pour from an empty cup. My business is based on me being able to pour into others and pour my candles. Rest, and healthy lifestyle habits are a non negotiable.

Each one of us has something special inside of us. There is something to be birthed into this world from inside of us. Usually we don’t know what that thing is until we go through an event in life which causes us to have to dig deep to find another version of ourselves. That was me in 2018, after having gone through a break up with a long term relationship. The abrupt ending left me in a place of having to reinvent myself and find a new path for my life. Once I started the process of intentionally working on me and finding out what my next move would be, that is when this business was born. Pain can bring about a greater purpose. The pain is necessary for the birthing of your purpose. As a woman I am linking this thought to the actual child birthing process. We know as mothers we go through excruciating pain for the birth of our babies. Your purpose is no different. The birthing process will be painful, but will be so worth it when you see what was inside of you come out to the world. The Crowned Candle Company is just that for me. My purpose was birthed from my pain & that is why she’s so personal to and for me.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I live in a small town on the Treasure Coast of Florida. We don’t have a lot of huge attractions here, but we do have some hidden gems. Any restaurants with a view of the ocean are definitely a go. Or even close to the water is good enough as well. We have a robust down town area with great restaurants, music, and places to hang out. If we desired more entertainment, a quick drive either north to Orlando FL or Daytona FL. Or south to West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or even the party city Miami FL.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow, this is a very broad question. There are so many answers that would be applicable. I think I’ll start with my customers. Without their continued support I really wouldn’t have a need for this interview, right? I am so grateful to be able to share my gift of crafting these handmade scented candles time and time again. Most of all the support of my hometown of Fort Pierce FL which has been the backbone and spine of my business. I also have to shout out each person who has contributed to the success of my business. No man is an island- meaning I couldn’t have built this brand into what it is now, and what it will become by my own efforts. I have an amazing team of people who are aligned with me and operate in their own personal gifts and talents which add to my brand and my business in a way that makes it better. I appreciate those that pour into me, speak life into me, and encourage me to in the moments when I’m needing it. I thank those who pray for me and my business. I shout out my small circle of genuine friends and family members who support me in this journey. Those who randomly message me and share how inspired they are by watching my journey. Those messages really do something for my heart. I’m grateful for it all.

Website: www.thecrownedcandleco.com

Instagram: the_crowned_candle_co

Facebook: The Crowned Candle Company

Other: Email: info@thecrownedcandle.com

Image Credits
Photos taken by Toney Johnson of Tone Roc Photography in Fort Pierce FL

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutMiami is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.