After her brother’s passing in Atlanta in 2023, Kalesha Boose realized her heart belonged back with her family in Gulfport, Mississippi. The visit made her see her hometown in a new light — it needed something fresh, something that could bring renewal to the community, and she found an opportunity in candles.
Candles had always been a part of Kalesha’s life, each one representing different emotions she navigated. Unlike Atlanta, where competition was fierce, Gulfport offered a blank canvas, and with lower rent costs, it was clear where she needed to be.
The vision was so vivid that it lingered, even as she received the heartbreaking news of her grandmother’s passing. On the drive to Gulfport for the funeral, she was consumed with thoughts of how to bring this dream to life. Upon sharing her plan with her uncle Cedric, a pastor, he gave her full support, reinforcing her belief that this was her destiny.
After the funeral, Kalesha returned to Atlanta with a renewed sense of purpose. Instead of paying rent, she invested in supplies to start making candles. Her apartment quickly filled with materials, but she didn’t mind — she was dedicated to perfecting her craft. She began giving candles to her neighbors and building an Instagram following.
In May 2020, Kalesha started K House Kandles, creating “mood candles” reflecting different phases of her life. Her high-quality soy wax candles quickly gained a following for their rich, lasting scents. However, after her brother’s death, grief overtook her, and she shut down her business in 2023. The dream seemed distant, and the future of her business was uncertain.
In February 2024, Kalesha returned to Gulfport, determined to restart her business but knowing she couldn’t do it alone. She connected with the Lending Team at Communities Unlimited (CU) and worked with Economic Development Loan Officer Chris Tillman. Initially, she had big dreams of opening a retail location, but Chris advised her to start small and re-establish her business in the region before committing to a storefront. Kalesha took his advice.
“Chris is a great guy. He was very hands-on and helped me a lot, especially when I got discouraged. I often worried if people liked my candles, but Chris reassured me and always listened to my concerns."
With Chris’s guidance, Kalesha secured the funding needed to get K House Kandles back on its feet. She used the funds to produce more sprays and invest in marketing, including signage for pop-up shops and other branded materials.
Starting from home to minimize overhead, Kalesha is once again producing hand-poured candles in small batches, ensuring the high quality her customers love. She’s also preparing to rebuild her online presence and plans to attend local events and pop-ups to grow her brand in South Mississippi, with the ultimate goal of opening a brick-and-mortar at some point.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t picture my store, with people lining up at the door for my grand opening and my candles selling out,” Kalesha said. “Chris once asked me if I ever planned on stopping the business, and I was almost taken aback. I can’t imagine my life without K House Kandles. This business is my baby, and my real dream is to open that store.”
“I’m thankful for Communities Unlimited, and I’m looking forward to securing that larger loan from them one day,” Kalesha said. “I want to make my store a reality.”
