Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Annette Nichols, Owner of Candle House, located in Loranger, LA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Making fragrant soy candles in a variety of scents is my business. These are better for our environment and health since they provide you with a clean burn.
Tell us about yourself
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, and school teacher who loves candles. My husband, Thomas, and I would spend lots of money purchasing candles, only to be left disappointed because most of the wax stayed on the container or the no scent. It was actually his idea to experiment with waxes and make our own candles. I guess one could say our business started here. Little did I realize how much fun this would be. Over the years, we have practiced lots of crafty items Individually, but this is the first time we came together to create something. It became an entire house effort (Thus the name “Candle house”). The candles first became manufactured in the kitchen and then later in the dining room, and before we knew it, we had created a separate room in the house just for making candles which is now our little boutique where we sell candles. We are easily motivated when looking at our grandchildren trying to build something that we could one day pass down to them. This is what keeps us going; this is what we are striving for.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment as business owners is repeat business. The phone calls validate our highly fragrant products. This just makes you feel proud inside!
One of our other accomplishments is that our candles were placed inside of a business (Piggly Wiggly) that is locally owned in Hammond, Louisiana, and in Doreen‘s Beauty Salon located in Loranger, Louisiana.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Time management and inventory! When you have the products available to create more, you always seem to run out of time, and vice versa; when you have the time available to devote to your business, you always seem to run short on inventory. We are still working on these… we can only get better!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Research- when we first started, I really had no idea of where to go to get the license, how to pay the taxes, what’s the best place to order your products, etc.
- Space- make sure you have ample space to grow because a good business is going to grow very quickly.
- Divide up the task- there is no way one person can be efficient in all areas of running a business. Build a team and divide the tasks. Allowing each person to work in their area of strength.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Always remember you can’t do anything without Jesus Christ!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://candlehousela.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tancandlemaker/
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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