Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Alejandra Guerra, Founder and CEO of Everly, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Everly is on a mission to clean up the candle industry. Our clean candle refill system helps you refill any empty candle vessel at home, diverting millions of vessels from landfills.
Our products are made with: healthy ingredients, non-toxic oils, and compostable packaging.
~ 1% For The Planet
~ LATINX Owned + Operated
~ Mother + Daughter Founded
Tell us about yourself
I've always LOVED candles but wasn't a fan of the nasty ingredients and waste in traditional candles. Most conventional candles are made with paraffin wax (a by-product of petroleum) and with fragrances unregulated by the FDA containing endocrine disruptors like phthalates and parabens-- eek! Like many of you, I'd finish a candle and hoard the cute vessel for later use, only to be inundated with empty candle containers. Not ready to give up on candles, I wondered, "Is there a better way to make candles?" Everly was born to reimagine how we consume candles so they not only care for you but for our planet too.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is having believed enough in myself to dive into entrepreneurship. To take something that was an idea and turn it into something tangible that people want to buy-- and not once but over and over again. There is no greater satisfaction than that for me.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
A massive challenge for me is turning my brain off and resting. With a 9-5, it's a bit easier to turn your brain off "after work," but there are no real "after work" hours when you're an entrepreneur. Sometimes it's hard to turn off because I'm so excited about what I'm building-- and that's a fantastic feeling, but rest is SO important, so finding that balance is super challenging and something I need to work on daily.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Believe in yourself.
- Get started.
- Find an experienced mentor.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://tryeverly.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alepwar/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alejandrapguerra/
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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