Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kyle and Jessica Whitaker, Owners of Candle Genie, located in Foxborough, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our business is Candle Genie. Our customer base ranges all ages; we make candles for men, women, young, old, and for all occasions.
Tell us about yourself
We’ve always had the drive to own our own company, build something from our vision, and bring it to the world. We started during the pandemic when staying at home was more common, and we’ve always loved candles. We wanted to take that love and the extra time and make our mark on the market.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment as business owners is from concept to integration to execution. Seeing the logo, design, and craftsmanship we put into every candle come to life and become something that we could touch is the biggest accomplishment and the thing I’m most proud of outside of monetary success. Seeing a stranger we’ve never met before complimenting and purchasing our product confirms that we're doing the right thing.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about this is the consistency; it lives and dies with you. If you don’t show up, nothing happens. Some days you feel like being lazy, but if you don’t put in the effort, there’s no one there to pick up the slack; you are accountable, and we love it. Hard doesn’t mean bad. I’d also say standing out is difficult; convincing strangers to pick your product over someone else when sometimes they may not necessarily understand the difference can be challenging but keep tracking quality matters.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
I would say don’t be afraid, go for it. If you're scared to try to get your product into a store or bring it to an event or whatever it may be because you think you're someone who can’t sell, pretend to be. Fake it till you make it; it’s a numbers game, and practice makes perfect. Nobody got worse the more they did something; just send it. Also, prepare, and take notes. Record your failures and success; document it all, that knowledge is power. Lastly, keep at it; it doesn’t happen overnight. You’ll get there, and you have time.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would just say don’t worry about expectations, do what you think is right. It doesn't have to be the same for you as it is for me when it comes to building something. Someone making delicious desserts at a craft fair is just as much an entrepreneur as somebody selling 500 candles a week with a website and is also as much an entrepreneur as a young girl with a lemonade stand. Own your angle.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.candle-genie.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheCandleGenie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/CandleGenieConnect/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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