Akera Thompson finds purpose in candle-making
Published:Friday | August 11, 2023 | 12:06 AMShanel Lemmie/Staff Reporter
Second only to sharing peace and joy through her creations, Akera Thompson is filling homes with a more ambient version of God’s love and grace.
Thompson, the founder of Chai & Co Home, said after transitioning from being a make-up artist in 2020, she was searching for a new way to not only generate income, but to fill the creative void in her life.
“I realised when I started my make-up career it was mostly out of survival. And then when COVID hit I felt like all along I been going against myself and I was like what else am I going to do? I thought about making soap, but I didn’t wanna mess with people’s skin then I was like, wait but you love candles, I love the aesthetics of a candle.”
She continued, “I just love when a space smells really nice because I see how that changes your mood as well. When somewhere smells bad, nine times out of 10 you’re not going to want to return, your face a guh mek up ... it’s just not pleasant. And ... just seeing a candle lit, it does something to you.”
Soon the then 23-year-old would be mixing away creating scents that capitalised on her favourite flavours, though, much to her surprise the initial satisfaction that she felt began to disappear.
“I experienced imposter syndrome when I first started because I was like, I want to create something, but this seem ... .” she trailed off. “I felt so disconnected from the product when I was using glass and then early this year I transitioned over to making my own vessels which makes me even more connected to the product.”
Now moonlighting as “a construction worker”, Thompson sells her candles in handcrafted concrete vessels. After receiving what she characterises as a vision from God, the candle and jar-making process has allowed her the stillness required to face her own trauma.
“I love to run joke with people and tell them that I’m a construction worker on the side because really that’s what I am. I’m mixing cement with other materials to build it into something solid. The thing is, even the idea that I got, it was from God. This whole thing’s just a pull to dive deeper within myself and unlock the authentic version of me, and see who appreciates it. When I first started it was just like a dip in the water to see and it literally just pulled me in. So now I’m trying to put the structure and everything together to make it more solid and a whole experience for people to enjoy.”
Currently offering two scents, Thompson said the name of each candle relays a story from her life that she has since overcome. God’s Love (eucalyptus) is what saved her life.
“Even the relationship with my dad, I had to use God’s love to fix that. Mature with grace is lavender because this whole business is maturing literally with God’s grace and so am I,” she explained.
Hoping to expand in December, Thompson said her plan is to ultimately share the peace she has experienced through candles.
“This business taught me more about myself because I’m not who I was. It’s really not for the weak because I almost went homeless once, just trying to keep this business afloat. People feel like they see all the glamour on the outside but, God is breaking down the pieces behind the scenes to build up structure. I want this peace to be in every household that’s possible so they can just feel the love,” Thompson declared.