Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Raven Makenzie, Founder, and CEO of GodScent Candle Co., located in White Plains, MD, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
GodScent Candle Co is a faith-based business with one mission in mind. Bring light into darkness. We live in a dark world, with trauma, abuse, death, depression, and chaos lurking at every corner. Light is needed! It is our goal that as our candles light up your room, the word of God will light up your life and restore joy, faith, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, love, and peace in the world. We stand on John 8:12, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Our customers are those seeking peace, light, love, and strong candles that truly light up a room! It's more than just candles; it's ministry.
Tell us about yourself
For starters, I'm a 31-year-old single mom whose life is centered on Christ! Christ motivates me and is the sole reason GodScent Candle Co exists. He showed me this company in a dream, and now that dream has become a reality. I started this business with absolutely no experience in candle-making whatsoever. I wrote out a business plan, set realistic goals, and did the work! Before I knew it, my entrepreneurial testimony was making people smile, changing lives, and expanding into areas I never knew it would.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was starting in faith, progressing in faith, and overcoming by faith. I started this company with $100 to my name after just losing my home, and car, and failing out of school. Yes, moving into a storefront location when my business was making less than 20k in revenue per year is an accomplishment I never thought it was possible. Yet, even that could not have happened if I did not start. I knew God was leading me, and I couldn't not take a leap of faith. Two years later, I have expanded my business in ways I would've never been able to. GodScent now offers Sip & Pour candle-making classes, venue rental, wholesale, custom party favors, travel candle-making classes, and community craft events. I am proud of every accomplishment, big and small. However, simply starting is the greatest of them all.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with being a business owner is tuning out the world and the opinions of other people. You learn that no one else will truly understand your vision and what you're trying to build, and you've got to move forward anyway and progress towards your goals with or without the support of your family and friends.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Start the business, perfect it later. I tell this to literally everyone. There's never a perfect time to start, a perfect method to get it done, or a perfect strategy for success. Jump out there. The rest will fall in place.
- Study your business. Learn what works and expand in that area. Learn your passions.
- Stand by your business. Despite what opposition, obstacles, or setbacks you may face in business, remember why you started.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, and that's okay. It's discipline, leadership, accountability, endurance, and many other hats that stem from within. If you have that deep calling, follow it, don't ignore it. You won't regret it.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://gshome.life/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GodScentHome/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godscentcandleco/
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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