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

Hi Janella, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Candles bring me so much joy and peace! Every morning, I light a beautiful candle, grab a hot cup of coffee, wrap myself in a soft throw and write in my journal to center myself and prepare for my day. It was during one of my morning sessions that my candle company, LR² Luxe was conceived. LR² stands for Light.Relax.Repeat, and that’s exactly the experience I seek to inspire with each candle I create. I created LR² Luxe to share the joy that the warm flame and lush scent of a beautiful candle brings me.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I think what sets my brand, LR² Luxe, apart from others is my desire and drive to create a candle line that goes beyond your run of the mill candles that are so common today. I design each candle using unique vessels that seamlessly blend in with your home decor and a custom wax blend that maximizes the scent strength of each fragrance. It’s also my attention to detail that sets my brand apart. Whether it’s hand-tying ribbons for every gift box, including a personal affirmation card with every candle, or sourcing the highest-quality vessels and materials; I aim to make each candle purchase a personalized experience for my customers. What started out as a hobby to indulge my love for all things scents, has truly evolved into an absolute passion and collection of luxury candles that look as good as they smell!

Has this journey been easy? Absolutely not! Is it worth it? Absolutely! I’ve learned so much along the way and I am still learning. The best lesson I’ve learned so far is what I like to call the “power of the pivot.” I learned this in my work as a trial attorney. It’s all about maintaining an agile mindset so that when, not if, things don’t go as planned you don’t fall apart. You step back, reassess what worked and what didn’t, make an alternative plan, pivot and move forward. I’ve had supply issues, rising costs, products and ideas I thought would be a big hit that were not and much more. Through it all, however, things always work out if I remain flexible and keep moving forward. I am also big on investing in continuing education. I have phenomenal mentors in the candle industry that are highly successful. I don’t mind paying for any classes they may offer, because it helps me avoid some of the pitfalls they may have overcome. I also get to connect WITH others in the industry and stay up to date on current trends.

The one thing I want the world to know about LR² Luxe is that I am just getting started. I will continue to learn, evolve, and perfect my brand, so the best is definitely yet to come!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to
take them around to?
There are so many good spots and neighborhoods in Dallas, but some of my go to favorites are Chelsea Corner for patio vibes, Whiskeys for ambiance and great drinks, The Plant Project for all things plant joy, Oddfellows for brunch, and Kookie Haven to cure any sweet tooth.

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?
I dedicate my shoutout to my tribe of close friends and family that continue to support and encourage me along my journey of entrepreneurship, especially Dr. Crystal Ward who nominated me for this opportunity. I am completely grateful for their love, prayers, and support!

Website: LightRelaxRepeat.com

Instagram: @LR2LuxeCandles

Image Credits
Abbie Mae Studio

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