A Month of Grace, Growth, and Gratitude: A Letter From the Founder

HI, friends!!!

Welcome to the very first blog post here at Diakonia & Co.

Honestly, it feels surreal to even be writing those words.

Just one month ago (ish) , in late April 2026, Diakonia & Co. officially launched. What started as a dream, countless prayers, years of learning, and many late nights has now become something real. As I sit down to write this, my heart is overflowing with gratitude for what God has already done in such a short amount of time.

I wanted this first blog post to be less about products and more about sharing my heart, introducing myself to those who may be new here, and simply catching up with all of you who have chosen to support this journey.

How It All Started

For those who don't know me, my name is Lauren, and I launched Diakonia & Co. at 22 years old with a vision of creating beautiful, intentional products that point people toward something greater. I've spent the last four years working in the fragrance and candle industry, and during that time, I completely fell in love with the craft. People often think candles are simple—and in some ways they are—but there is also an incredible amount of artistry, science, and intention involved in creating a candle that performs beautifully and creates an unforgettable experience.

One of my favorite things about fragrance is the way it connects to memory. Have you ever smelled something and immediately been transported back to a specific moment in your life? Maybe it's a grandmother's kitchen, a family Christmas gathering, a summer vacation, or a season of life that you treasure. God designed our brains in such a fascinating way. Scent has a direct connection to memory and emotion, making fragrance one of the most powerful senses we experience.

Creating fragrances that become part of people's stories is something I genuinely love.

What's even more amazing to me is how God has worked through this journey personally. Growing up, science and math were two of my most difficult subjects. If someone had told younger Lauren that one day she would spend her days calculating formulas, studying wax behavior, researching ingredients, analyzing fragrance performance, and discussing scent chemistry, I probably would have laughed.

Yet here I am. Today, so much of what I do relies on both science and mathematics. It's one of the many ways God has reminded me that He is able to redeem, restore, and transform areas of our lives that once felt impossible. The things I once struggled with have become some of the things I enjoy most.

My Education and Research

In 2025, I graduated from Lipscomb University with a degree in Business Leadership. One of the highlights of my academic journey was my senior research project, where I explored how soy wax candles contribute to agricultural growth and support the U.S. economy. Many people don't realize that soy wax directly supports American farmers and agriculture. I spent countless hours researching, writing, interviewing, and learning about the industry's impact. It became one of the most meaningful projects of my college career, and I was incredibly honored to receive a perfect score on the final project. That research only deepened my appreciation for clean-burning candles and reinforced my desire to create products with thoughtful ingredients and intentional sourcing.

Why Candles Mean So Much to Me

My love for candles goes far beyond fragrance. Throughout Scripture, candles, lamps, oil, and light carry incredible symbolism. From the lampstands described throughout the Old Testament to Jesus declaring Himself the Light of the World, light is woven throughout God's story.

One of my favorite parables has always been the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids in Matthew 25. In this parable, ten bridesmaids wait for the bridegroom. Five wisely bring extra oil for their lamps, while five do not. When the bridegroom finally arrives, only those who were prepared are ready to meet him. I have always been deeply moved by this parable because it reminds us to remain watchful, faithful, and prepared for Christ's return. The image of keeping our lamps full of oil has stayed with me for years. In many ways, it has become a guiding principle for my life and this business. My prayer is that Diakonia & Co. would be about more than products. I hope each candle serves as a reminder to remain close to Christ, to pursue Him daily, and to let His light shine through us in a world that desperately needs hope.

Our Mission: The 10:11 Initiative

From the beginning, I knew I wanted this business to have an eternal purpose.

That's why we launched the 10:11 Initiative, inspired by John 10:11:

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

We are committed to serving our local community and communities around the world by gifting Bibles because Scripture is the greatest gift we can offer as followers of Christ. A portion of every purchase goes directly toward placing God's Word into the hands of people who need it most. The response so far has been incredible. Every order placed isn't just supporting a small business.

It's helping put Bibles into the hands of others.
It's helping share the Gospel.
It's helping spread the Word of God.

And for that, I am so grateful!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One Month In: A Little Business Update

Now for the exciting part.

What has happened over the last month has genuinely exceeded my expectations. When I launched Diakonia & Co., I hoped people would connect with the products. I prayed they would resonate with the mission. I hoped customers would come back. I never imagined how quickly and enthusiastically many of you would embrace this brand. Over the past month, we've repeatedly sold out of inventory in our two best-selling fragrances: Cornerstone and Sanctuary!!! 

Seeing these fragrances become customer favorites has been incredibly encouraging. Every time I package an order containing one of these scents, I'm reminded of the prayers, testing, reformulating, and attention to detail that went into creating them. The fact that so many of you have welcomed them into your homes means more than I can express.

In addition to online sales, I've already participated in three pop-up events since launching. Each event has given me the opportunity to meet customers face-to-face, hear your stories, answer questions, and share the heart behind the brand. There is something special about watching someone smell a fragrance for the first time and seeing their eyes light up when they find one they love. And we're not stopping there. We already have another pop-up scheduled for June, and I can't wait to meet even more of you there.

A Dream Come True: Retail Expansion

One of the biggest surprises of this first month has been watching Diakonia & Co. expand into retail locations.

Today, our products are already available in four stores. Not only are they available locally here in Tennessee, but they're also reaching customers in other states as well. Every time I see a store choose to carry Diakonia & Co., I'm reminded that God continues to open doors I could never open myself. As a small business owner, those opportunities mean the world.

Looking Ahead to Fall

While we've only just begun, I'm already deep into planning and developing our fall collection. Believe it or not, the final stages of our fall lineup are already underway. If you've been following me for a while, you know fragrance development is one of my favorite parts of the entire process. I can't wait to share what's coming. There are some truly beautiful fragrances and products in the works, and I think you're going to love them.

Private Label Projects

Another exciting development has been the opportunity to work on several private label projects with some incredible brands. These collaborations have allowed me to use my experience in fragrance development and product creation to help bring other brands' visions to life. It's been such a rewarding experience, and I'm incredibly thankful for the trust these businesses have placed in me. While I can't share all the details just yet, there are some exciting things happening behind the scenes.

Thank You

As I wrap up this first blog post, there is one thing I want you to know above everything else:

Thank you.

Thank you for every order.

Thank you for every share, comment, recommendation, and review.

Thank you for showing up at pop-ups.

Thank you for telling your friends.

Thank you for believing in a brand that was built on faith, intentionality, and the desire to glorify God.

Small business ownership can be exciting, overwhelming, beautiful, and challenging all at the same time. There have been many moments this past month where I've simply sat back in amazement at what God is doing. None of this would be possible without Him, and none of it would be possible without you.

My prayer is that every candle, every fragrance, and every product that leaves our studio brings beauty into your home, points your heart toward Christ, and reminds you that His light shines even in the darkest places.

We're only one month in, but I truly believe this is just the beginning.

Thank you for being part of this story.

I'm so excited to continue sharing this journey with you.

With gratitude,

Lauren
Founder, Diakonia & Co.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." — Psalm 119:105 🤍