Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Veronique Lee, founder of CandaScent Labs, located in Oakland, CA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

CandaScent Labs is a wellness company that delves into the science of aroma. I consider wellness to be an ecosystem — it is holistic and all-encompassing, involving not only your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being but also taking into account your environment and preventative care for your future health. We're more than just a product company. We look at every part of the puzzle. We invest in our supply chain to make sustainable choices, source only quality and organic ingredients that are free of all synthetics and really keep the consumers' health at the core of everything we do. CandaScent Labs is a health and wellness aroma company offering full transparency of ingredients with scents that are 100% botanically derived, free of all synthetics, and powered with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients.

Our customers are discerning. They care about their health on a deeper level. They are curious nature lovers who are looking to expand their idea of wellness to touch on every one of the senses.

Tell us about yourself

My motivation for my business and really how I live every day stems from sourcing and sustainability and preventative health and wellness. Knowing that "fragrance" offers little to no transparency in ingredients because of trade secret privilege, and knowing that there is little accountability for a fragrance's health aspects or implications, led me to create CandaScent Labs. Our scents offer full transparency of ingredients with scents that are 100% botanically derived, free of all synthetics, and powered with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients. What you smell matters, and we are passionate about sharing the science behind aroma and how aroma can contribute to your health.

I bring over 15 years of sustainability and wellness expertise to CandaScent Labs as the CEO and Founder. CandaScent Labs is a health and wellness aroma brand with a collection of products built to promote whole-body wellness through the olfactory system. I was previously a partner at the beauty and fashion retailer, Modavanti, which was listed as a 'Top Ethical Fashion Site' by Instyle Magazine, Honoree for Best for NYC by The New York Economic Development Board and B Corp Labs, and one of the 'Coolest Fashion Startups of 2016' by the Huffington Post. I also served as an Advisory Board Member to the Fashion Institute of Technology Textile Development and Marketing Department in New York City.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is my journey into social enterprise, creating change for the better by supporting the causes, people, and businesses that make this world a better place. I received a state grant when I began a business supporting artisans and sustainable fashion and have not looked back. For me, supporting the people and causes you to believe in and paying it forward is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a business owner.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the toughest challenges with being a business owner is planning for and adapting to changing circumstances. Simply put, there will be things that will simply be out of your control, and no matter how well you plan, you will have to adapt to change. These last couple of years are a perfect example of that the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, war, labor shortages, changing economic policies and their ramifications, skyrocketing social media and advertising, and retail closures, … one simply could not have seen all these things coming. Things can move swiftly, so be prepared to be nimble and hang onto your hat for the ride!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Build a network you can trust. It takes time to get to know people and find people you build trust with. A trusted community of family, friends, and relationships nourishes and enriches your life and those around you.
  2. Give yourself grace. You are always constantly growing and evolving. I think a large part of intelligence is the ability to deconstruct and reconstruct all over again, which means seeing a different perspective and vantage point. This is very difficult to do when we are in our own heads and thoughts, but I think it builds wisdom and understanding.
  3. Make nature a priority. Nature has become more and more vital to me. Being in nature allows me to reconnect with what is important to me. Our natural world shows up on an everyday basis, providing constant beauty and wonder, and it humbles me. Nature makes me feel a part of a greater whole. I thank mother nature for what she so freely offers us daily!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://candascent.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CandaScent/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candascent/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/candascent
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronique-lee-16031b11/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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