Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Anthony Provencher, Owner of Feu&Co., located in Carignan, QC, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Feu&Co. is a candle business, and it's born from a passion for well-being. The candles are made from a blend of 100% natural soy wax and very high-quality fragrance oil. These are phthalates-free, paraben-free, non-GMO, and cruelty-free. It's the perfect mix between an aesthetic object and an eco-friendly product. I really want to help people to unwind, relax, and take time for themselves.
For now, most of my clientele is in Canada. My average customer is men or women between 25 and 40 years old. I have a beautiful mix of clients in Quebec and from other provinces. I also got some orders from international at the beginning, but I changed this, and I don't ship overseas for now. Candles are fragile and can easily melt in transit when the shipping is taking a lot of time. Because of those reasons, I put my energy into developing Canada's market.
Tell us about yourself
I always dreamed of being my own boss and managing my things like I wanted to. Also, every side of a business is super interesting to me, from the creation of the product to the shipping of the package. By starting my own company, I realized this dream and touched all aspects.
When I lost my job because of the pandemic. I understood and realized that I no longer wanted to be at the mercy of an employer and risk losing my job again. It solidified and concretized the thought I had of starting my business, and also it made me take action.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I think I would say the first store approaching me to sell my products. One day, you just wake up and get an email from a company you love asking you to have your candles. It's a really nice feeling and accomplishment when something like that comes up also, I cannot forget that one of my big accomplishments is developing and creating a product from zero all by myself and building a brand and a vibe like I did with Feu&Co.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The biggest challenge is the fact that I do it all by myself. I constantly question myself. I wonder if I'm on the right path or if I forget important things. What can I do better? We cannot be good at everything, so inevitably, we make mistakes. It's important to surround yourself with people who have the same ambition as you in your field.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do it and start now! There's no perfect moment. Even if it's not perfect, launch your product or your brand. You can modify and change things later.
- Do your research. Every day, at least one person asks me, "How do you make a candle?" or "Who's your supplier?". You can find everything on the internet. If you ask that of someone you don't know and do not take the time to do your research, I would say that it's not a good start.
- Patience. You're not going to succeed overnight, and the process takes time.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Don't hesitate to follow me on Tiktok and Instagram. I try to post content that people would love!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://feuetco.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/feuetco/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/feuetco/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@feuetco
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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