Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mariah Taylor, Owner of B.B.SpaBoss LLC., located in Overland, MO, USA.

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

B.B. Spa Boss is a candle company specializing in soy-blend candles, wax melts, and candle accessories. B.B. Spa Boss started by producing only floral scented candles and wax melts but quickly expanded into a candle, bath, and body company. What makes B.B. Spa Boss different but unique is that all the collection candles are mixed together with multiple floral fragrances creating an aromatic scent. It does not stop there. Since the owner favors flowers, each candle has a unique design decorated with real dried flowers or a scented flower mold that glazes the top of each collection candle. B.B. Spa Boss customers are people that enjoy scented floral products.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Mariah Taylor, and I'm the owner of B.B Spa Boss. I started B.B. Spa Boss on March 1, 2021. This date is significant because the whole month of March is National Women's History Month. Being a woman-owned business, I wanted to ensure that B.B. Spa Boss becomes a part of history. When I started making candles, I started making candles for myself. I suffer from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), and I needed something that would help me relieve my stress and anxiety. When I lit my first candle, I was astonished by how much stress I relieved just by inhaling the essential oils from the candle. Not only did the candle's scent ease my stress, but the light from the flame did it as well. With these two factors combined, I felt like I had a unique niche. I couldn't stop there and felt like I had to add one more thing that made B.B. Spa Boss candles stand out. Flowers! I am a flower woman. I take inclination into flowers. So, I've always made sure to add flowers to my candles.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is stepping out on faith. When I opened my business, I didn't know where to turn. I was a new chandler and wasn't sure where to start, but I knew I did not want B.B. Spa Boss candles to be similar to the candles you would find at your local supermarket. I wanted B.B. Spa Boss to stand out. Not just with its name but with each handmade product as well. By sticking to my niche, a year after opening my business, I was able to obtain a contract with an agency supplying candles to their employees and clients.

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

  1. Before starting your business, please be passionate about whatever you're doing. Please don't start a business because a person you know started their business or start a business because it generates a certain amount of money. Start your business that you are passionate about. A business that brings you joy and that you love doing. Just remember, when you do anything you are ardent about, it won't be too demanding for you to complete it. It will bring you jubilation with or without the money involved.
  2. When running your business, always ensure that you stay motivated. Yes, life happens, but that doesn't stop you from moving forward with achieving your goals. If you have to revisit your previous work to bring that spark back, do it. If you have to listen to or view motivational speeches, do it and keep moving forward. Let nothing distract you from your dreams and goals.
  3. To help grow your business, I would like to go with the concept of marketing to your target audience. At first, my marketing target audience was only the general public, but now it's both the general public and other businesses. Every month I add a new candle to my candle collection. Every candle featured on the website has a new scent and design each month. Another thing that I do that helps me stay connected to my audience is write. I am a writer and love to blog. Every month when introducing the candle of the month, I will also write a short article on what inspired me to create a beautiful, aromatic candle. When marketing to businesses, I ensure I have a signature item that both males and females can enjoy. Know your target audience.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Before departing, I would like to leave something for whoever is reading this interview, always to remember:

"You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don't make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing and then do those things so well that people can't take their eyes off you."
-Maya Angelou

I will love to share two other projects that I am a part of. My husband and I formed a nonprofit charitable organization that helps individuals overcome PTSD. Please feel free to check it out.
https://everydaylyfe.org/

Since I am a blogger, I will share my personal blog website where you can go to get motivated and inspired. Please check it out at:
https://beboldstandbackup.com/

I hope these websites help anyone that is looking for motivation or looking to be inspired.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bbspaboss.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B.B.Spaboss/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbspaboss/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BBSpaboss
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/b-b-spaboss-llc/

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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