Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly Komon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kelly , thank you so much for making time for us. We’ve always admired your ability to take risks and so maybe we can kick things off with a discussion around how you developed your ability to take and bear risk?
Taking risks has always been an integral part of my journey, fueled by an innate desire to step beyond my comfort zone. There’s an exhilarating thrill in embracing the unknown—an energy that ignites my spirit. One of my guiding mantras is, “If it scares you, then do it.” Launching my small business, Kellz Kandlz, exemplifies this philosophy. What began as a simple pandemic hobby—crafting candles—quickly transformed into a flourishing venture as word spread. I dove into the world of entrepreneurship with no prior experience, armed only with enthusiasm and my other reminder to take things day by day while trusting my instincts and following my dreams. I learned as I went, setting achievable goals and celebrating each milestone along the way. With the unwavering support of family and friends, I cultivated my own brand, solidifying my belief in myself and my instincts. Through this journey, I’ve discovered that stepping out of my comfort zone is not just about business; it permeates every aspect of my life. Teaching dance, for instance, pushed me to confront my fears and embrace my body in ways I never expected. It deepened my appreciation for movement and self-expression, proving that personal growth often lies just outside our familiar boundaries.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Kellz Kandlz believes that everyone deserves a space where they can unwind, find inspiration, and connect with their inner-selves. My candles are carefully handcrafted with love, ensuring that each one carries the essence of my passion for clean living. My mission is personal, as I’m passionate about holistic living which is why all of my product is guaranteed to be 100% clean and non-toxic. I design unique fragrances that evoke warmth, comfort, and nostalgia with some popular scents such as Guava Ocean Rose and Honey Cinnamon Cappuccino! Sustainability is at the heart of Kellz Kandlz as well. I prioritize sourcing the finest organic materials and adopting eco-friendly practices to minimize our carbon footprint. Each candle is hand-poured with love and the hope that you will create your own personal, cozy space. An exciting and recent product-launch has been my car fresheners! Made with wood, glass, and leftover oils from my candles! I’m also always looking for fun collaborations and places to do pop-ups and events!
Beyond my candle business, I’ve recently embraced teaching beginner-level dance classes. This endeavor allows me to foster a safe, inviting environment for women to become more comfortable in their bodies. My holistic approach to health and wellness intertwines my professional and personal life, as I strive to empower others through both clean products and the joy of movement. It’s incredibly fulfilling.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
1. Authenticity- Listening to those gut instincts and staying true to yourself throughout your journey builds immense self-confidence. It’s so important to follow that innate desire of what the heart wants! Important side-note: you cannot please everyone! You will receive feedback that is hard to digest or feel judged along the way but freeing yourself of haters will take you far. You are uniquely you and no one can take that away from you. Hone into that.
2. Passion- what lights you up? What gets you excited and makes you feel most alive? Follow that thing that comes most natural to you and work towards mastering it.
3. Optimistic- Harnessing positive energy and outlook in every situation has carried me through the difficult times. I like to do what I call a “double check” or a “zoom-out” where if I feel down or confused about something I take a step back and look at how far I’ve come and realize that maybe this thing that feels really hard is just there to grow me.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
This past year has reinforced the power of stepping outside my comfort zone, whether it’s leading a dance class or launching new product lines for my company. These two passions have beautifully intertwined. Taking a leap of faith to become a dance instructor has been transformative. It may have felt daunting, but saying “yes” to opportunities that scare me has significantly boosted my self-confidence and helped me connect ever more with my creativity and authentic-self. I’ve learned that sharing your passion can profoundly impact your community. For me, each class, and each candle sold is an opportunity to inspire and share love. I already know the next risk I am going to take and I can’t wait to share with the world what’s next! Remember, you are uniquely you—your authentic self is a gift the world needs! What came up while you were reading this article? What’s the thing that scares you? I dare you to take one small step into the unknown of whatever that is. See what happens! You are enough!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kellzkandlz.myshopify.com
- Instagram: Professional: @kellz_kandlz Personal: @kellyeaahh
Image Credits
Leah Michelle Dance Photography
Aldous Photo
Ray Morales Photo
Sarah Komon
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
