Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jennifer Adams, Founder of Sleep Easy Candle Company, located in Oshawa, ON, Canada.

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

Sleep Easy Candle Company makes bedtime-inspired candles made of luxurious coconut soy wax. We cater to consumers who want to take a break and find solitude in a busy world. We create collections that are inspired by the home. Being a homebody myself, I thoroughly enjoy the small details in life. Our Luxury Bedtime Candle Collection is just that. Small moments made into a beautiful product. I want to inspire people to see that there is magic in all moments in life, even the small things. This is something that I live by on a personal basis and why it is so important for me to showcase in my products. Some of our collections have names such as bookshop, afternoon tea, breakfast in bed, and pillow talk. All taken from special moments that all people can connect with.

Tell us about yourself

I first got started on my business during the pandemic. I had lost my job and was looking for extra income to keep me afloat. Little did I know that running a business takes more money and time than people let on! However, I wouldn't trade it for the world. I absolutely love running my own business. The freedom I feel as a business owner has to be the best part of it all. Making my own schedule, having time for family, and creating new products that showcase my creativity is truly magical.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is finding my niche. It took a while to find what I wanted to be known for. Little did I know that naming my company Sleep Easy Candle Co would inspire me to create luxury bedtime candles. I first started out making seasonal candles like every other candle maker. I followed the crowd, but when I took a step back and actually looked at what I wanted to do instead of what everyone else was doing, things became more clear. I now focus on how to stay in my niche when creating new collections.

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

For me, it is finding the time to do it all and learn it all. I am a one-woman show. I also have my own strengths and weaknesses. Learning that it is ok to not know how to do it all and to hire out what you don't know really helped me. I hire out label printing, accounting, label design, and photography. All of which gave me a headache in the beginning. Now that I have that in place, it gives me time to work on other things in the business. Also, having professional photography just makes me feel so proud of my products.

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

  1. Do your research on the type of business you want to start. Know you're why. Why do you personally want to start it? Know your upfront costs and have a plan on how you are going to fund them. Do you have the financial wiggle room to start a business? Once you have all of those questions answered. My tips once you establish your business would be 1. Make connections in your community. Talk to other people in your area of business and just chat. You would be surprised at how willing people are to help you with your journey.
  2. Talk about your business. Often. We often think that people know everything we are doing, but they don't. Keep talking and keep promoting.
  3. Don't be scared to learn how to grow. We get to a point where we need to expand our business. For me, this was going into wholesale. I was incredibly nervous to reach out directly to stores. However, once I did, I made some really great connections.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Don't forget to have fun! Running your own business should also be your passion. Be passionate about what you sell and your brand, and you find true connections along the way.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://sleepeasycandlecompany.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sleepeasycandleco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleepeasycandleco/

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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