Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Brittany Furnari, Co-Founder of Nose Best, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Nose Best started during the height of the pandemic in July 2020. We combined cheeky names with enchanting fragrance combinations like our best sellers Bitch Goddess and Mountain Daddy. We consider our candles a "party in a jar" since each scent comes with a custom Spotify playlist and a cocktail recipe you can enjoy in the comfort of your home. We curated candles to celebrate our senses during a time when everyone was afraid of quite literally losing their senses due to COVID-19. We are proudly POC woman-led and queer-owned. The candles each have their own vibe and personality and are hand-poured in our Brooklyn storefront.

Tell us about yourself

I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit and absolutely love growing businesses. For years I worked in the hospitality industry as an event planner and made it to the Director level. The candles remind me of the events industry since each candle includes a multisensory experience with cocktails and music. At the end of the day, this business is much more creative than I was ever allowed to be at a full-time job. I'm having fun while making money and learning so much every day. It combines my love of throwing a party with my love of soy wax candles that are sustainably and ethically made. It truly is something I wake up and can't wait to work on every day.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Proving everyone who thought it was a bad idea to start a business during a global pandemic and leave a full-time job wrong. I will never forget our opening party for the storefront and how all the people that supported us from the very beginning were there celebrating right alongside us. We were in business for one year and six months when we were able to raise the capital and money to open our first store.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

Being a business owner means a lot of sacrifices. It requires a lot of consistency and attention while things are growing and building. You embark on a powerful journey that a lot of your friends/family won't fully understand unless they are also entrepreneurs. It can be lonely from time to time and exhausting. Thankfully for me, I have an incredible business partner who is my best friend and can 100% relate to!

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Just get started. The biggest thing standing in your way is you! We tend to keep the fear that we won't get it right the first time and look stupid to hold us back. The truth is- just having the guts to start your business and put yourself out there is half the battle.
  2. Don't be afraid to pivot. Not every SKU or new line or idea will work. The beauty of owning your own business is you call the shots. You can change things as much as you like, and no one can tell you otherwise. Make sure you listen to your intuition, and if you want to make that last-minute change to a product, or the recipe, or the marketing campaign- do it.
  3. Hire an accountant! Especially if you are selling through many channels and are structured as anything other than a sole proprietorship. If you have partners or an LLC- the quarterly sales tax and then the end-of-year tax return headaches can really put you through a lot of stress when you should be worried about your day-to-day operations and just growing your business! An accountant is worth every cent.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I always love hearing from other small business owners, and I enjoy mentoring/teaching others! If someone reading this is really interested in starting their own business and needs more guidance, I would love to chat with them. You can always visit me in person at the store or DM @nosebestcandles.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.nosebestcandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nosebestcandles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nosebestcandles_/
LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3n04RCg

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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