Artist Spotlight: Jennifer Rhee

Feb.28.2021

We sat down with business woman and owner of Lait candles, hand-poured and eco conscious brand based in Los Angeles, to get to know her. Here's how it went - Tell us about yourself! Where are you from? Where are you located now?

My name is Jenn and I was born in raised in the suburbia-life of Orange County but now have been living in Los Angeles for over 10 years.

Was there a specific moment when you decided to pursue a creative company?

I had lived the steady paycheck lifestyle right after high school graduation and thought that was the answer for me. Working the long-work shifts and promotions was never a question and especially being interested in fashion, thought that was what it was supposed to be. However, I felt like the universe kept leading me to candlemaking. At some point in my senior position job, I felt like something was missing. While I cherish the cultivated relationships and experience from my previous jobs and still have many close friends from meeting them there, everything about LAIT felt really natural to me.

It’s been almost 3 years since I’ve been doing LAIT full-time and I have met some incredible people and learned about businesses and brands. I love the mutual respect the customers, clients and I have for each other. Although my small business still faces challenges and I constantly navigate through them, I finally feel fulfilled.

When did you know it would be candles specifically?

I don’t think there was any specific moment in time that I had decided to make a business out of selling my candles because each and every opportunity that enabled me to share my craft lead me to build the business and brand that I have today. My brother has an event planning company and naturally, asked me to pour candles for his charities and events. What I do with LAIT has really pushed me out of my comfort zone. You have to have patience and time when it comes to candlemaking. I choose to continue creating custom candles for others because I want to create that dream candle for them. I’m also introverted and can be reserved when I meet new people but I get passionate about LAIT. I loved doing pop-ups selling my candles because I learned so much about everyone’s scent styles.

I also feel joy lighting and burning my own candles.

Normally we would ask, what has been the biggest challenge you face? Given that we’re all facing the fear & uncertainties of the pandemic, what are your hopes and any actions you are putting in place to come through the other side of this. How did you keep motivated during this time?

It was definitely a scary thing at the height of the pandemic. There was a lot of uncertainty with small businesses and being that I am a one-woman brand, I didn’t know how I was going to produce while keeping safe. There are so many silver linings that came about where I saw my online orders increase because people were all at home and wanting to find peace and solace. I also hand-write notes that customers request when they send to others and seeing those incredibly sweet and thoughtful gestures gave me so much hope that love is strength.

I am motivated through the love I receive from my customers and clients as well as my friends and family. I feel an immense amount of gratitude for them that have been understanding about the tough challenges I face by being patient.

The motivation levels could sometimes be low because I may get those thoughts of hopelessness and feelings of missing my friends and family surface. I stay motivated taking mindful moments throughout the day by doing a workout, making myself a café-inspired matcha latte, or making time for a daily call with my mom or brother or facetime sessions with my friends. While pouring, I love listening to audio books and podcasts. While answering emails, I love listening to classical music.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your collections?

Traveling to different places and putting myself in unfamiliar surroundings spark creativity and inspiration for me. I am constantly testing out new scents and combinations. I also have some personal attachments to a few of my LAIT signature scents. La Vie en Rose is the Breast Cancer Edition candle, inspired by one of my close friend’s mother and my mother’s best friend who both battled breast cancer. I wanted to create a memorable scent that I can continue to pour or light to remember them by. Every purchase benefits the Breast Cancer Foundation that I donate to each year.

My newest scent CÔTE CALIFORNIE was created after my beginning of the year road-trip up the California coast to Big Sur. After staying at home for almost a year during the pandemic, I was absolutely mesmerized being immersed in nature and watching the endless coastal views. The scents of the ocean and the redwood trees were an experience all its own. CÔTE CALIFORNIE captures that and evokes hope for this new year. It made me fall in love with California again and made me feel so lucky to live here. Another personal attachment also comes from the fact that I got engaged from that recent trip which makes it all the more special.

What is your favorite collection or product you’ve launched and why?

My favorite collection was the Maison du LAIT Ceramic Home that I designed with my aunt. The collection consisted of a ceramic vase, match holder, ceramic mug and basket. I envisioned timeless pieces that could be displayed and paired with LAIT candles and my aunt exquisitely handmade them into life. It was a very limited run and due to COVID, her local ceramic studio closed for a year. I cherish the one time that we got to do a pop up in 2019 together showcasing her collection alongside LAIT candles. I’m hoping to create a new collection with her when things get better.

Lastly, what is your denim of choice when creating and working? Why that fit?

The Gemma wide leg is my current favorite. I love the flattering silhouette and appreciate the comfort. You can dress it up with a lace blouse or keep it effortless with a boyfriend tee. I also love the Parisian vibe when paired with loafers or ankle boots.

YOUR PERSONAL FAVORITE(S):

Scent(s) -CÔTE CALIFORNIE – Seasalt, fresh linen, cypress, citrus and agave.

GARÇONNE – In French, meaning Tomboy. Notes of smoky clove, sandalwood and elegant florals like magnolia and French lily with a hint of plum.

SMOKE MILK – Proud to say this has become a cult favorite. It’s creamy and soothing from coconut, almond and amber but has an expected note of smoked sage.

Podcast (s) - How I Built This – I am always inspired by other entrepreneurs and when they share both the success and struggles of their businesses.

The Daily – I think it’s important to be in the know of some current events around us and NYT Daily allows me to stay updated when I don’t have a lot of time to read everything.

Tim Ferriss Show

NPR

The Dave Chang Show – I am a big foodie.

Beauty/skincare product (s) - Allure – The Science of Beauty

Gloss Angeles

Cooking/food obsession (s) - All things Japanese – My fiancé and I are currently in love with the donabe pot. We do weekly Japanese-style hot pot and sukiyaki.

Italian – I am really proud to say that my fiancé is an amazing cook and I am going to be honest that I hate cooking because I feel like I “cook” candles for a living. One of my many favorite pasta dishes that he makes is the orecchiette with sausage and broccoli rabe.

I also have the biggest sweet tooth and need a dose of something sweet like a mochi donut, sour gummies from Sockerbit or maple syrup to my morning latte.

Netfix obsession(s) - Schitt's Creek, Ozark, Queens Gambit, Lupin