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

Hi Nina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
There really wasn’t much of a thought process behind starting Chayil. In 2007, my eldest sister passed away from colon cancer. She loved candles and then I had a health issue arise after she passed away. I needed a distraction from life. Years earlier, I’d worked for a spa in The Benjamin Royal Sonesta Hotel in New York City. I remembered that they carried a candle brand. The combination of the research of that brand + my own birth Chayil. A pure organic candle that burns clean and completely. I launched Chayil Candles in 2008 and then a year later its sister brand via a trunk show, ccBlaQ & Co.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been an assistant for my entire career. Yes, I have diverted from that throughout the years – modeling, fashion, reporting, advertising but my base or consistent paycheck has been administrative work in all of those areas. Being an administrator teaches you how to treat people. Kindness always wins. Life is a struggle. From the richest to the poorest people have issues. They may not be the same struggles but struggles nonetheless. You have to learn to persevere and push through and be kind. You cannot give up on your dream.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My bestie and I have been friends since we were 8 years old – we are now in our late 50s. Day 1, we are doing nothing but catching up, laughing and eating takeout at my house after the airport ride. Also keep in mind we live in different time zones. Day 2, Hotel del Coronado. One of our favorite movies is Some Like I Hot and dinner on the Hornblower. Day 3: San Diego Safari and Balboa Park House of Panamá; we’re Panamánians and dinner at Panamá 66. Day 4-6, we are headed to Catalina. Day 7-8, La Jolla Cove beach, UTC Mall and Louisiana Purchase and Fortune Sun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shoutout my faith, yes I know that sounds strange to most but I wouldn’t be here and neither would Chayil without faith. I was going through a horrible time, physically, mentally and emotionally. My sister just passed away in July. By November I was dealing with a health issue. All the medical appointments kept me out of work. I lost my 6-figure salary and health insurance while dealing with a health issue. As a matter of fact, the day they laid me off, in the middle of the conversation the hospital was calling to schedule the surgery. In turn without a job, how do you pay for surgery or your mortgage for that matter. It was my faith in God, prayer, my Bible that kept me from completely losing my mind as well as the creation of Chayil. Creatives have to create.

Website: https://www.theluxeconsortium.com

Instagram: Chayil Candles

Twitter: Chayil Candles

Facebook: Chayil Candles

Other: TikTok @blessyd818

Image Credits
Photo of Ms. Nina: June Kim, photographer
Chayil photos: Ms. Nina, photographer

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