MORE THAN A CANDLE!
About Us | A Covenant of Fire
We are John and MarQuis, the founders of Candle KRave.
For us, a candle is never just wax and wick—it is a living flame, a vessel of memory, intention, and transformation. What began as a quiet ritual to steady our own minds and spirits grew into a shared practice, and then into a calling: to create light that carries meaning.
Together, we embody two forces in balance—one rooted in structure, discipline, and protection; the other attuned to vision, story, and spirit. From this union of Tiger and Warrior, KRave was born: a brand shaped by legacy, sustained by purpose, and devoted to the ritual of flame.
In 2024, on America’s Independence Day, we sealed our own bond in marriage and carried this dream across the ocean, relocating to the United States to give it form. That moment of union was more than personal—it was the foundation of Candle KRave itself, a promise to live our craft as a reflection of our life together.
Every candle we craft is both an offering and a reminder. It is an echo of ancestors, a meditation for the present, and a spark that dares the future. Each flame carries the same truth—we believe light is not only seen, but felt; not only warmth, but language; not only ritual, but revelation.
Candle KRave exists for those who KRave more than fragrance, meaning, and those who recognize that even the smallest flame can center a spirit, shift energy, and awaken change.
Our candles are born from journeys shaped by heritage and pride — Black-owned, created with love, and rooted in resilience. Each creation speaks of identity, unity, and authenticity, reminding us that light has no boundaries. Candle-KRave is where legacy meets artistry, and every flame is an act of celebration.
John Klaaste-Rhodes
Ancestral Tiger—courageous, ambitious, and unafraid to leap into the unknown.
Born and raised in South Africa, John carries the strength of 'Ubuntu' (humanity to others), a root that shapes how he navigates the world and builds for the future. With a degree in Business Management, Marketing and Project Management experience, John embodies both vision and action: he not only sees the path ahead but also lays each stone that makes the journey possible.
John is the rhythm and heartbeat of Candle KRave, grounding our work in strength, determination, and clarity, ensuring that dreams never stay abstract but take shape through action.
His presence embodies duality—fierce yet peaceful, bold yet steady—representing both the fire of ambition and the calm in wisdom. He moves instinctively but measures each step with discipline, creating harmony between momentum and patience. John is the anchor and balancing pulse that turns vision into reality.
His courage goes beyond the drive to move forward; it is rooted in his dedication to balance, knowing when to advance with strength and when to pause with stillness. Like the tiger, he is watchful, powerful, and deeply connected to legacy.
His leadership is not just about protecting what is built, but also about ensuring each flame serves a purpose.
Through him, Candle KRave stands firm, upheld by resilience, truth, and a heartbeat that will not falter. John is both anchor and spark—the force that steadies the dream and the fire that propels it forward.
Ancient Warrior—vision-bearer, word-weaver, and flame whisperer.
Creative, poetic, and rooted in ritual, MarQuis is the visionary and soul of Candle KRave. Born and raised in Los Angeles, he carries the rhythm of the city in his stride and the fire of purpose in his hands. His path has stretched far beyond rooted streets: to the sacred stillness of Singapore, the vibrant spirit of Barcelona, and the soulful pulse of Cape Town. Each city he has lived in has left an imprint, teaching him that unity and individuality are not opposites, but sparks of the same flame.
These rhythms—the steady beat of LA, the meditative hush of Singapore, the artistry of Barcelona, the resilience of Cape Town—are carried forward in his craft. They converge in KRave’s candles, where fire becomes both anchor and invitation. Through them, MarQuis weaves light into memory, intention into ritual, and meaning into every flicker. As a Psychology major, MarQuis infuses his craft with mental clarity, emotional depth, and purposeful intention. These candles are more than scent—they are experiences of self-study, healing, and ceremony.
MarQuis Klaaste-Rhodes
With each pour, a channel to ancestral memory, a spiritual discipline of a warrior, and a psychological insight, turns wax into witness and flame into language.
He is the dreamer, the word-weaver, the flame whisperer—walking between worlds, both mystical and grounded, ancestral and academic. Where others see light, MarQuis sees lineage. Where others strike a match, he sparks legacy.
He is not just the co-founder of Candle KRave. He is its memory keeper, oracle, and creative breath. Through him, every candle becomes a vessel—lit with purpose, soaked in story, and alive with soul.
