Story & Lesson Highlights with Kia Cooper of Southside

Kia Cooper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Kia, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
That’s a great question! For the past few years, I’ve felt so restricted, both personally and professionally. I wasn’t able to express myself creatively in ways I’ve needed to and it really took a toll on me and how I performed and showed up for myself and my business. As of recently, I’ve had a shift spiritually and I’ve been able to genuinely reset mentally, emotionally, and physically. In this new season of life, I’ve been betting on myself more and taking opportunities and risks that I may have been hesitant to explore previously. Currently, I’m motivated to expand my business, Coop To Candle, in a direction that may have seemed unimaginable before. I’m learning to allow my creative expression to just work, even when it seems far-fetched, even when it feels like the means aren’t there, even when no one else can see the vision but me. I’m no longer pouring just wax, I’m pouring into my passion – and it truly feels authentic and amazing.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kia Cooper and I’m the owner of Coop To Candle, a home fragrance business, centered around calm and comfort. I established my brand in 2021, during the height of Covid, a time where many of us were unwillingly confined to our homes on a daily basis. Although I’ve always been a homebody, I wanted to create something that was handmade but also familiar and homey. After extensive research, I opted into creating candles, purchased my first candle kit and I’ve been a chandler ever since.

Fast forward to 2022, my fellow chandler posted a dessert candle in one of the candle groups I was in. I thought it was so cute and the coolest idea ever and I was determined to try making one for myself as someone who is also a foodie. In April of last year, I released my first two dessert candles – PGLC (Pretty Girls Love Cookies) and Strawberry Dreamin. In a little over a year’s time, I’ve designed and sold over 10 uniquely crafted dessert candles, wax melts, and room sprays and I don’t have plans of stopping anytime soon. In the next 6 months, I have plans to expand CTC even more by offering fresh baked goods that tastefully compliments each candle. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and baking, so whether it be whipping wax or dough, I stay in the kitchen. This takes a lot of strategic planning, but it only feels right to combine my love of sweet treats with their cozy fragrant counterpart, which for me, is a continued effort to bring comfort and peace into the homes of all my customers.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Well, it would be very disingenuous of me to say that my family and friends have never thought highly of me. I am grateful to have family and friends who are willing to push me, even when it’s uncomfortable, because they believe in me so much. It’s beautiful (and a bit annoying lol), however, I don’t take for granted that there are many people who have never had anyone to support them or stand behind their vision. Even as a child, I always had someone there to cheer and clap for me, to be present, and remind me that who I am or what I’ve done is a big deal. Now, years later in adulthood, and navigating a small business, I still feel that support. On countless occasions, I’ve been reminded of how I’m a “creative genius” and praised for having an extensive level of ideation. While I have always been flattered by this, for the most part, I never found what I do or how I am as “special”, even though that’s not how they see me. I’ve done the work to understand that I do have a wonderful gift(s) and that part of my purpose is to use these gifts to pour into others and make them feel special, seen, and most importantly loved.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
Without a doubt, failure. The fear of failure has been a cloud that has always seemed to travel along with me. No matter what I’ve accomplished, no matter how many accolades I’ve attached to my name, no matter how many people told me they were proud of me – I could not shake the fear of failure. I think so often, we as humans underestimate how much the rational (and irrational) fear of failure holds us back. I would overthink so much, and sometimes still do, harp on how it wouldn’t/won’t work. I would question myself, my work, and my worth incessantly and I believe that this mindset is why I may have struggled as a person and business owner. There are still moments where I slip back into negative thought, but I always remind myself that God wouldn’t get me this far, just to get this far. Ultimately, if I could say one kind thing to my younger self it would be this: Don’t ever feel the need to fit into a box, because there will never be a box big enough to contain your greatness.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Historically, Black Americans and our culture have always been under attack. Although culturally we are trendsetters, our creativity and innovation often goes without credit in music, fashion, and even language. It is important to me that the ability to generate new ideas and express ourselves in the most creative ways never ceases to exist. It can be so frustrating when your intellectual property and creative works are copied or misused, yet you are uncredited for your work. It is my hope that we continue to triumph through these spaces and be present. We’ve already offered so much nationally and even globally and if I can be a representation or motivation for even one young Black woman, well, that’s enough for me to keep setting the example. Our work in this country is not dead, it’s only just beginning.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
My story is not perfect, but I hope when I’m gone that people remember these two main things about how I lived my life. First, I wish to be a constant reminder to lead with kindness. Be kind to the stranger at the bank, be kind to the random person on the elevator, and most importantly be kind to yourself. We never know when we are entertaining angels, but above all else, we don’t realize how even the most minimal act of kindness can impact someone else’s day and potentially their life.

Second, I hope that my legacy reflects the importance of self expression and serves as an example to do what sets your heart on fire and allows you to feel free. Coop To Candle is a great example of how we can turn a single idea into something wonderful and much bigger than ourselves if we prioritize our passions and just create. What, when, or even how you create is up to you, but we all have something special to offer to the world and I want people to think about me and go “If she did nothing else, she made sure to use her gift of creativity to make this world just a little bit better.” Whether it be through the aroma of a softly lit candle or a bite into a delectable delight, I want people to remember the value in figuring out what you genuinely love and just do it.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
All photos were taken by me, Kia J. Cooper.

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