As Jerome Williams arranged the display at his tastefully appointed Greenfield Farmers Market booth, a customer arrived to laud his wares, having purchased a scented candle from Williams the previous week. The woman recounted how a culinary disaster left her home reeking with unpleasant odors, and wanted to express gratitude for the coconut-scented candle handmade by Williams that helped solve the issue. After purchasing another candle – this one for her sister – the satisfied customer moved on to buy tomato plants, but not before pledging that she would return in subsequent weeks to purchase additional candles for loved ones.

Williams, 24, handcrafts and sells candles under the business name Gifted Peace. His many interests include entrepreneurship, economics and personal empowerment. The skill with which he handles sales while warmly greeting customers gives the impression of effortless ease, but Williams works hard to achieve his successes.

Born and raised in Springfield, Williams commented on his early life, speaking quietly and without pretense: “I didn’t have the best upbringing. I lived with my mom until I was seven, and then with my dad until I was about fifteen. I spent some time in foster care, and went back to live with my mom until I was 18.” Despite turbulence, however, Williams has maintained a remarkable sense of balance.

“When I was younger, I transferred to several different schools, always managing the process on my own,” said Williams. He researched the rankings of schools in his area and simultaneously studied human behavior by carefully observing those around him. “I saw lots of kids who’d been in juvenile detention, and I attended schools where we had to go through metal detectors on a daily basis, including taking our shoes off. I learned how to deal with people and got used to adapting to change and meeting new kids.”

Making candles at home began as a hobby Williams shared with his mother. “My mom died a few weeks ago,” he said, “just before Mother’s Day. She was in her early fifties.” Despite his loss, Williams is determined to continue on paths leading to success. “Once I realized how much I love making candles, I started thinking of ways to get them out to the community.”

Williams attended Bridgewater State University, majoring in criminal justice, but left school to pursue his longtime dream of becoming a pro wrestler, and invested a great deal of time in training. Williams explained the difference between amateur and professional wrestling: the amateur level is considered a sport, and competitors are not paid. Pro levels are more about entertainment, and allow for moves and acrobatics disallowed in the amateur realm.

“I wanted to go pro, but I’ve stayed with amateur instead, because gyms are very expensive if you’re training for pro.” Even so, Williams feels that amateur wrestling taught him to focus, which he translates into entrepreneurship.

He competed on wrestling teams throughout high school – even when it required taking two or three early-morning buses to travel to practice sessions – and it paid off. His Springfield Central High School team won the 2017 Div. I Western Massachusetts championship. “My daily routine still includes going to the gym.”

Upon completing his morning workout, Williams heads home to melt wax into containers. He sources supplies online, searching for high quality, natural products that are also affordable. “I use beeswax and soy waxes,” he said, “and the best fragrances I can find. I prefer wooden wicks; they make a crackling sound, giving a campfire feel.”

Using designated stirring spoons and a special pot made of metal, Williams gets to work. “The burning pot works like a double boiler,” he said, “and I clean everything thoroughly between batches.” Later in the evening, after waxes have hardened, Williams double checks his labeling. In addition to specifying fragrances, labels include safety instructions and warn about the importance of burning a candle for no more than four hours at a time.

“I did tons of research about making candles,” said Williams. “Fortunately, there’s a lot of accessible information, including on YouTube.” When asked how he came up with the name Gifted Peace for his business, Williams said, “I wanted to help people, including my several siblings. But I learned early on that I can’t fix everything for people. When I try to help too much, I overextend. So making and sharing candles is a way of gifting my peace to others who need it.”

Williams noticed at a young age that scented candles help him feel positive: “Certain fragrances recall special places and good times. A scented candle can remind people of happy events. I see it as a way to help.”

The labels on his inventory hint at Williams’ happy times: his beautifully packaged products have names like Birthday Cake, Cinnamon Bun, Lemon Cake, Breezy Drift and Apple Crisp. Another is called Milk & Loops. “I couldn’t use the name Fruit Loops for legal reasons,” he said, “but it really does smell like the famous breakfast cereal!”

Other selections include Banana, Coconut, Hazelnut, Rose, Peppermint and Almond. “I just switched to a different almond fragrance,” he said. “It’s got a deeper, richer scent than the one I previously sourced.” In addition to single candles, Williams offers gift sets, as well as wax melts, which are used in conjunction with melting pots.

Williams noted that one of his chief business tenets is knowing his audience, and his longtime skill of reading people comes into play. He also draws on his experience as a public speaker when interacting with customers.

“During my first year of high school, I was mentored by members of Alpha Phi Alpha,” said Williams. “That was my introduction to public speaking.” The oldest intercollegiate historically African Americanfraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha began in 1905 as a literary and social studies club at Cornell University and became a fraternity the following year. Since 1945, it’s open to men of all races, and has nearly 300,000 members in over 730 chapters worldwide. It’s the largest predominantly African American fraternity, and one of the ten largest frats in the U.S. Members have included Martin Luther King Jr., W.E.B. DuBois, Dick Gregory, Duke Ellington, Jesse Owens, and Thurgood Marshall; the fraternity provided leadership and service during the Great Depression, World Wars, and civil rights campaigns, and has addressed apartheid, AIDS, urban housing, and other economic, cultural and political issues.

“I wanted to help Black and Latino communities,” said Williams. “Two of my main goals are thinking positively and getting out into the community. I put those ideals into practice with my customers. It’s important to feel people out, ask questions, and remain curious.”

Williams’ first official public speaking engagement was at St. John’s Congregational Church in Springfield while he was in ninth grade. “I was super nervous,” he said. “My speech was on the TV news, and my mom saw it.” He gave another major speech in 2017 during his senior year in the hopes of winning scholarship money for college. Sponsored by The Exchange Club of Springfield, the competition was designed “to recognize a high school student who has overcome great challenges to achieve high school graduation.” Not only did Williams take first place, including the $1,000 cash prize, but a woman at the event gave him the television she won that evening in a raffle, so impressed was she with his speech about overcoming obstacles.

“Even though I was still pretty new to Springfield Central High, having recently transferred, the principal and the guidance counselor both came to the banquet hall where the contest was held to hear my speech,” said Williams. “That felt good.” Williams learned he can be himself. “I don’t have to hide who I am. I’ve had to fight some battles in my life, but I never let the conditions of my environment stop me. I create my own image and I don’t let outside forces influence me. Hardships have not stopped me.”

Saying he overcame by remaining focussed, maintaining excellent school attendance, and honoring his commitments, Williams is proud that he kept his GPA (grade point average) up and was an honor student. “I have a chance to live the dream,” he said, “and to conduct my life according to the principles I’ve touched on in my speeches.”

Jerome Williams is going places, and his handcrafted candles are helping to light the way. Locals can meet this enterprising young man and purchase his products at the Greenfield Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Gifted Peace products are also available via Instagram or Facebook. To reach him by email: jrome3113@gmail.com.

Eveline MacDougall is the author of “Fiery Hope” and an artist, musician and mom. To reach her: eveline@amandlachorus.org.

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