Coco McCain
Christy Coco McCain is a warm, inviting person that draws you close to her. Not unlike the beautiful VivVere Living Candles she makes, Coco is as charming as she is captivating. The way she greets strangers, and makes an effort to get to know them might make one think she's bored. Or doesn't have much going on. That would be false.
She launched her business, VivVere, in September 2011 and immediately won 'Best in Show' at AmericasMart trade show in Atlanta. Recently nominated for a prestigious ICON Honor's award at that same show, and VivVere was also invited to the FINDS Collection of the Dallas Market Center show. Only three candle lines across America were selected, Nest, Niven Morgan and VivVere.
"We are honored and encouraged to be in the company of such storied lines!" CoCo exclaims. Look for VivVere in the October issue of Garden and Gun, the magazine's first home issue.
Coco runs VivVere at the CBD building, and juggles many plates, one of them motherhood. Devoted to her three little boys, she involves them with her business and they are very discerning, sniffing out sandalwood and Italian lime and cloves in her candles.
She grew up in central Florida, got a degree in engineering at Vanderbilt, a law degree from Cumberland School of Law and moved to Chattanooga with her husband, Todd Clark McCain, owner of Cumberland Title and Guaranty Company on Broad Street. Called to 'Shine a bright light on the good, reach out to women and children in need and touch lives around the world', Coco started her life's calling three years ago, in the middle of the recession, a daunting feat for anyone. However, Coco possesses the rare combination of business acumen and philanthropy, and VivVere is the beautiful result.
"VivVere means to live, or to be alive, and that's exactly what we seek to do as we craft the finest living candles known to mankind and try our best to focus on the good things in life that surround us every day," Coco says. Her blog, The Peacock Post, features stories that highlight acts of love, kindness, courage, determination and generosity.
Coco is passionate about shining her light and reaching out to women and children in need. Her initiative, Giving Milk, donates one serving of milk for each candle sold to women or children in need, and right now that effort is concentrated in Chadasha in the Dominican Republic.
One of the products in VivVere's Live, Give, Grow line was inspired by Coco's friend Beverly Barilault. "Beverly introduced me to yoga, and she told me how yoga taught her to enjoy and make the most of all parts of life, especially the mundane ones. She said, 'when I am washing dishes, I think about how grateful I am for the running water and how great if feels rinsing over my hands.' I have never forgotten those words," Coco says. The Fresh Heart and Hands Signature Hand Bath Cleanser is intended to enrich lives by serving as a daily reminder that we get a new fresh start at life whenever we choose to. With mindfulness we can cleanse our hearts and hands, and make this 'mundane' task a reminder to be open to life's new opportunities.
Frankincense, Italian Bergamot Orange, Amber and Patchouli, Fir Forest, Clove and White Currant are just a few of the scents of the living candles. The fact that they burn for 90 hours and fill your home with an amazing scent is one reason to buy them. But another motive (besides helping others in need) is the packaging. The boxes the candles come in are tucked in a burlap bag, tied with twine and a peacock feather. Peacocks are one of the few birds that replace their feathers annually, so their brilliant, beautiful feathers are symbolic of renewal. A shiny gold pack of matches and the story of that particular candle are included. For example, the Jewel of Lorraine (white currant) is named for the first historical record heralding the majesty of white currant jam. The year was 1344 A.D., in the Lorraine region of Northeastern France and you can almost smell the Bar caviar, or Bar-le-duc as you read the description.
VivVere products are sold all over the US, from California to Maine, but one of Coco's favorite vendor's is Sophie's on North Market. The candles also available online at
www.VivVere.com.
(Ferris Robinson can be contacted at ferrisrobinson@gmail.com)
VivVere Living Candles