Igniting Memories and Crafting Nostalgia: An Exclusive Interview with Lamont Livingston, the Mind Behind A Moment Candles

Welcome to the latest installment of our Founders Q&A series, where we sit down with the founders of innovative startups to learn more about their journey and the lessons they've learned along the way. This week, we're thrilled to be chatting with Lamont Livingston, the inspiring founder of A Moment Candles, a company dedicated to creating memorable encounters through scent.

Let's dive into the inspiring story behind A Moment Candles and the wisdom Lamont has to share.

Q: Can you tell us about your personal background and how it led you to founding your startup?

A: My degree is in packaging systems and design, so the candle-making process has a direct correlation. I was taught the logistics, design, and the engineering side of packaging – that’s the science part of my candle design. I use a specific scent ratio for each one. I design my own labels, and each one is a visual representation of the moment that inspired the candle. The idea of scent and memories has always been a part of our lives, from early childhood.

As we grew older, creating the perfect scent for our space became critical. The right scent to ignite creativity while studying, the scent to relax or enjoy with others. Each one was its own special love language and we wanted to share it with the world. We use wood wicks because the sounds the burning wick makes are as much a part of the experience as the candle’s smell.

Q: What problem does your startup solve and how did you identify it?

A: We started by connecting our favorite moments and memories through scent. We realized that we often redact different parts of our life because they may be surrounded by circumstantial trauma. Our goal is to bring light to the good times and moments through structural design without letting the difficulties of life overshadow your moment.

Q: How did the idea of your startup first come about?

A: We took a candle-making workshop and noticed that while the process was fun, the fragrances were missing something. They lacked a personal connection. They were just good smells. We decided that we could create something better, something with more depth. We could create moments.

Q: What is your startup's mission and how does it drive your daily operations?

A: We are a candle company committed to creating a unique experience in every burn. It drives us in the way we interact with our customers and those in the community.

Q: Can you share the story of how you gathered your founding team?

A: We are all Alumni From Virginia Tech, One was my peer mentor and the other was a close friend that grew into a brotherhood.

Q: How did you go about securing initial funding for your startup?

A: All funding initially came out of pocket and we used all of the resources we had as a team to keep the company afloat. As we grow we take the earnings from online sales, markets, and other events and reinvest it in the business.

Q: What were some major obstacles faced during the early stages of your startup, and how did you overcome them?

A: One of the major obstacles early on was seeing the vision in its entirety and completing all aspects of it in the way that I saw it. Executing with intentionality takes time and sometimes resources but when you wait to execute you often don't move let alone have progress at all. In this process, I had to be happy with the progress and not perfection knowing that was the end goal.

Q: Can you tell us about a time you failed and what you learned from it?

A: In the process of learning how to perfect our candles, we were trying to create a candle that mimicked a cologne. We used part of the cologne oil to make the candle. It did not yield a good candle at all but we learned what fragrance oils could and could not be used to create candles. Not all oils are created equal.

Q: How does your startup stand out from competitors in your industry?

A: We have a business that understands different walks of life and the model behind it allows any consumer to create a moment that resonates specifically to them uniquely. Every aspect of the business, the label, care card, music playlist, and scent are customized.

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of being a founder so far?

A: The most rewarding part is knowing that God is with us. He showed me the vision for this platform and has been there every step of the way. As a result, we've watched people have their own moment through A Moment.

Q: Can you describe a typical day in your life as a founder?

A: A typical day for the founder varies but sticks to the same core activities. Meditation, workout, meetings, breakfast, brainstorming, active work, and active rest.

Q: How do you stay motivated during challenging times?

A: We stay motivated in hard times by first recognizing the issue and giving ourselves grace. We know that business is like a rollercoaster and you have to be just as graceful in the twist and turns as the steady climb up. Having that base and foundation keeps us anchored.

Q: What is the best piece of advice you received?

A: Chop wood, Carry water!

Q: How do you manage work-life balance, especially during intense periods of work?

A: Managing work and life has been a roller coaster of trial and error. We’ve learned to create moments of fun in every engagement we have. We also take the family to events. This has proven to provide more time spent together and a chance to interact with potential customers and clients.

Q: What strategies have you found effective for managing your team remotely?

A: Flight Assessment Test. Knowing the personnel on the team gives insight into how we naturally are and how we operate. We have great minds and in order to properly utilize them the structure has to be flexible but systematic for optimal outcomes.

Q: How has your leadership style evolved as your startup has grown?

A: I’ve learned to be okay with not having all of the answers. I’m okay with delegating a task and letting others take it over. I’ve been more focused on winning as a team, no matter how long it takes, rather than winning at a speed that only works for me.

Q: What does success look like for your startup, and how do you measure it?

A: The ability to engage and interact with people beyond the structural design of the candle but through the pillars of my values.

Q: How do you encourage a culture of innovation within your team?

A: We are all here together because we bring specific nuances to the table. We understand that our strengths and weaknesses complement each other and with that, we give each other the autonomy to spearhead our individual strengths with full support of the rest of the team.

Q: Could you share any pivots your startup had to make and the reasons behind it?

A: We changed our numbers so that every burn would give off the same strong scent. It really helped to hear from the customer and see the difference it made.

Q: How have you leveraged technology to grow and improve your startup?

A: Social media platforms, QR codes on product labels, and QR codes on music cards.

Q: What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your business?

A: Everything!

Q: Can you discuss a time where customer feedback directly influenced a decision or direction for your startup?

A: A customer noted that her candle wasn’t giving much of a smell when lit. It was the first customer to give a critique about the candles. From there we changed our numbers so that every burn would give off the same strong scent. It really helped to hear from the customer and see the difference it made. Customer comment below:

Q: How do you see your startup evolving in the next 5 years?

A: In the next five years I see A Moment Candles moving into an entertainment and experience place. That's led by the pillars of the brand. Creativity, experiences, peace, love, family, and art. We will grow from an online, farmers market, and festival market pop-up experience to a traveling pop-up similar to trap karaoke. Where individuals have the ability to experience a candle-making pouring experience like no other. Lastly creating a storefront location that allows for same-day pickup, customization, personalization, labeling, small run of coffee, teas, and small bites. Gathering spaces for families, businesses, etc.

Q: How have you adapted your startup to changes in the market, especially during crises?

A: Our startup uses materials that do not contribute to the ongoing issue of toxic chemicals released through candle making. We use vessels that can be repurposed for new uses and often share these things with our customers. We also offer our customers the ability to bring us their used vessels and we will refill them with the scent they purchased, cutting down on waste.

Q: What are the key qualities you look for when hiring new team members?

A: Some key qualities we look for in employees are creativity, the ability to adapt, people skills, and the ability to story tell through multiple mediums.

Q: Can you share an instance where your team had to go above and beyond to deliver on a project?

A: We have the ability to create boxes for people who wish to put something special together for loved ones or for themselves. One client, at the very last minute, wanted to get their loved one a gift box but left little to no information on what they wanted in the box. Our team had only one day to create the box, candles, package and mail the gift box. Not only were we able to deliver the gift, it was delivered right on the person's special day. They loved the gift and how personal it was for them.

Q: Can you tell us about a significant partnership or collaboration that has greatly benefited your startup?

A: The partnerships with realtors have created some great opportunities and allowed us to flex our creativity as a startup.

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering starting their own business?

A: Some advice I would give to someone in starting their own business is to create a strong reason that can sustain you and build you. There will be seasons when you don’t want to, are tired, or feel defeated. That strong “why” will hold you up when everything else is pulling you down. I would also suggest being okay with constantly learning and getting it wrong. It’s how we learn.