Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kylie Briggs, founder of Folklore Candle Works, located in Portland, OR, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Folklore Candle Works is a candle and wax melt shop inspired by art, literature, music, and history. Each candle and wax melt is handmade in-house with 100% soy wax, and each scent is designed to transform your living space into an immersive experience— our candles transport you anywhere from a tea party with the Mad Hatter to the hallowed bookshelves of the Great Library of Alexandria, to the verdant fields of Hyrule.
My customers are people who love to add a layer of elegance and relaxation to their homes but also have a penchant for whimsy and vintage stylings!
Tell us about yourself
The story of Folklore is a unique one- I actually had never made candles prior to starting up the business! In 2015 I was planning on going on a choir trip to Ireland, and I needed to fundraise. At the time, I was working at a spa where we burned candles all day, and the owner would give me all of the used-up candles to melt down. When I was brainstorming ways to use my love of crafting to raise money, I got the idea for uniquely themed candles. It was all downhill from there!
Folklore has been through lots of changes since then, including getting my bachelor's degree, getting married, and starting a family. My son is my primary motivation every single day to get out there and kick butt, but I also love learning new things from my work every day and rising to meet new challenges with each new collection I launch!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Honestly, getting my shop off the ground at all! It really felt like a pipe dream when I decided to start my business. I invested what little of my own money I had as a broke college student into myself, knowing I might not get a single customer. I'm so thankful for friends and family who believed in me and supported me and, of course, all my amazing customers.
I'm probably the proudest of having learned from my mistakes. I made some mistakes early on because I had basically no experience or guidance, and I'm glad I could take what I learned from those and improve my products and business. We 100% learn more from mistakes than we ever learn from successes.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Putting trust in yourself and your product, and choosing to invest time, energy, and money into yourself. Failure is a real possibility for any business, but you have to take the gamble if you believe in what you're doing and you're building it on a solid foundation.
It's also difficult to want to invest in something where you won't see a quick return! Be wise with your time, money, and marketing efforts, but also trust the process and know that it takes time to grow a business and really see any profit.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a concrete business plan before you start investing money. Really nail down the heart of what you want to achieve with your business— what is it you're trying to sell, and what need does it fill for the consumer?
- Always be authentic! People can always sense when you're disingenuous. Stick to what you know and what you are good at, and be earnest about your products and how you present them.
- Figure out what you want your brand to look like before you launch! What's your theme? What is your brand palette? These are things I wish I had nailed down earlier on. Likewise, identify your target consumer and your niche. For example, my brand has an art nouveau theme, and my candles all have a vintage flair and are based on literature, art, and history. In my opinion, it's better to find a perfect niche and cater to that smaller group than to try and appease everybody.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
If you want to start a small business, offer something that YOU would like to buy or would be happy to receive as a gift. Turn to trusted family and friends for feedback and advice. Be true to yourself but remember who you are trying to appeal to with your product or service!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://folklorefragrance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/folklorefragrance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/folklorecandleworks/
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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