Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lance McBrayer, owner of CandleLux, located in Boston, MA, USA.

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

My business is CandleLux, and we are the only candle shop in Boston proper. We make all-natural soy wax candles scented with 100% pure essential oils and are owned and operated by my wife and me. Our candles are made for the person who wants only natural fragrances in their home and work environment. Our candles and other home fragrances keep our customers safe from breathing in toxic chemicals from paraffin wax or chemical fragrance oils, often used in most candles.

Tell us about yourself

I'm a hairstylist and the salon owner of Hair Sessions, Inc. in the Back Bay of Boston. During what I've coined "Corona-cation," in 2020, I started making all-natural bath & body products for a self-care revolution that I started - encouraging folks to make taking care of their body, mind, and spirit a top priority during the stress of the pandemic. Then, I realized that I needed all-natural candles to complete the whole self-care routine.

I started learning how to make natural soy wax candles with pure essential oils because my wife was highly sensitive to artificial fragrances and most chemicals. I needed something that I could make in our kitchen since we were on lockdown that wouldn't put her in the hospital again. Hence, CandleLux was born! And since then, it's slowly grown and grown and grown, and people have loved the natural fragrance of our richly scented candles that every chemically sensitive person can use. And that's what keeps me motivated each day to have a candle and home fragrance line that anyone can use.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a black-owned business is being the only candle store in Boston proper and starting the first Candle Bar where folks can make their very own custom-scented and self embellished candles. We also offer Candle Pouring Parties, a relatively new experience in Boston, that allows our space to be rented for wellness events, girls' night out, bachelorette parties, and more.

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 staying positive and ambitious when trying to get a business off the ground or during slow times. You have to be your own motivation and network with and surround yourself with other business owners who understand.

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

  1. Just start! You'll tweak and improve things as you go along.
  2. Be ready to work hard and long hours running your business and to wear many hats and fill many roles.
  3. Continue to believe in your brand and look for ways to expand what you do and who you do it with.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I'd also like to add that you should continually improve on what you do - read, listen and take more classes!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://bostoncandlelux.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bostoncandlelux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bostoncandlelux/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-mcbrayer-8710b813/

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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