Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jen Ko, founder of The Paper Flame, located in Indianapolis, IN, USA.

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

The Paper Flame offers hand-poured soy wax candles made with sustainability in mind - using upcycled or secondhand jars. All our scents are carefully mixed to create the perfect dose of relaxation and stress relief to help you achieve a moment to be present. Our customers come from all over the world, but I love seeing our customers at in-person markets in Indianapolis! We also sell Indianapolis prints at our markets and just recently launched stickers.

Tell us about yourself

Sustainability is a core value of mine, and I wanted my brand to reflect that. I collected all these empty candle jars in my house and had the idea to refill them with new wax instead of buying new ones. After pouring my own candles, I thought: why not see if other people want candle refills in the local community? With over 100 donations in less than a week, I was soon overwhelmed with candle jars, and that's how the business was born.

Our mission is simply to encourage living in the present to stop and smell the roses for a moment. It doesn't have to be a 15-minute meditation. But if, just for a moment, you can feel a sense of peace and relaxation in the hustle-and-bustle of life when you light one of my candles - then I've succeeded.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I love meeting repeat customers and hearing about how they've been enjoying the candles and various scents. Making those connections is honestly my biggest accomplishment. I didn't know what to expect when I started this business, but the community and people I've met along the way have made it so much more than I imagined!

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

The hardest part about being a small business owner for me is trying to achieve the balance of enjoying the craft while growing and developing the business. Inevitably, there are certain parts of the business that I don't enjoy doing as much. The actual candle-making part is really not the majority of it; it's the marketing, social media, research, and hours at markets. I have a lot of ideas for The Paper Flame, but on top of my regular 40-hour workweek - it can feel like a lot of pressure to keep things moving and not have much time left for myself. It's still a learning process for me, and for now, I can still say I enjoy it :)

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

  1. Just start. It doesn't have to be perfect. You don't need to know everything about your business before you start. Try launching a minimal viable product just to test out the waters and iterate as you go! And that first step will give you the motivation & momentum you need to continue.
  2. Stay true to your values. It can sometimes be easy to get caught up with what's new and trending, but if that doesn't align with your values, you won't feel good about it. Aligning your business with your values also naturally attracts a genuine audience!
  3. Have fun! I know the feeling of being stuck in the weeds and stressing out about all the details. Ultimately, this business is yours, and you should, to some degree, enjoy it! You won't enjoy every part of it, and that's okay. But at the end of the day, you should be proud of your accomplishments.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I love making connections with people: whether that means making trades with other vendors at the market or discussing business ideas. I've even met my new best friend through a market! Feel free to reach out if you'd like to chat!

Fun fact: I got a job offer from a start-up because the CEO found my candle website, and they were looking for an analytical-meets-creative role - and I've been working for them for a year now! A friend told me at the time that: "Good things happen when you follow your passions."

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://thepaperflame.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepaperflame
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepaperflame/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jko16/

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.

Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.