Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal care but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Julie Kroening, owner of Decor And Wicks, located in Bonita Springs, FL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Our company's Mission is Repurpose, Reuse, and Refill. The goal is for you to keep and enjoy the vessel your candle is in for years to come. We do not want to pour a candle into a piece that will be tossed into your recycle bin. Our pieces range from vintage glass, ceramic jars, tea cups, crystals, mugs, and even Murano Crystal from Italy. This business started after two kidney transplants and has a personal meaning behind what we do. Such as an organ transplant gives the recipients a second chance at life; we give the vintage pieces a second life. These pieces should relive a new life, and have their beauty enjoyed again.
Our customers are people who believe in sustainability and enjoy the quality and safe clean fragrances in their homes. Every candle is made in individual hand-poured batches with renewable soy wax and premium phthalate-free clean fragrance oils, and lead/zinc-free wicks. Eco-friendly with a clean and even burn.
Tell us about yourself
I started this business while in recovery from my second kidney transplant within a two-year time period and after five years of dialysis. My medical journey has been long, and when it seemed to be stabilizing COVID came along and disrupted everyone's lives. With the worldwide pandemic and being immune-compromised, I was not going back to work at that time. While being idle and the long journey I had endured, my emotions and mental health were all over the place; I needed an outlet and a focus. I had purchased an all-natural soy candle online and fell in love with how much better soy was than the typical paraffin wax candles.
At that point, I started to research soy wax and clean fragrance options which eventually led to making candles for family and friends. I could not afford to buy a gift for holidays and birthdays as I had previously done, so I used my hobby for that purpose. The reception of my creations was so overwhelming that Decor and Wicks were born. On July 3rd of 2021, I started a shop on Etsy; the platform was great for handmade goods and did not need to invest a large amount, or any, money to get started.
Building the business as well as the research and development helped keep me busy and find happiness in my day to day. I am so grateful for all of my customers who have supported me and still do. We just had our one-year Etsy Anniversary, and it truly was a magical moment to know that something I created has done so well. I am very proud of my products and put a lot of love and passion into what I create.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment has been the relationships I have built with my customers. I have ordered from Germany, the UK, Alaska, and Maine. I thought only people in the US would be my customers, but when the international orders came in, I was shocked. My first customer has bought about seven vintage candles in less than a year, and her messages and reviews remind me of why I love what I do. Knowing that this business is just getting started after the first year, and we have so much more to do is very exciting.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing is teaching yourself and being a constant learner while working on all aspects of the job. I do all of the resourcing, creating, manufacturing, marketing, financial, listing, packing, and shipping by myself. My parents and in-laws do help with the resourcing at times because it gives them a reason to go antiquing, and we all know that is the best part. I am not a social media influencer nor know much about social media, so that has been very difficult also.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Three tips would be to find your niche, do what you do, and do it well. The second tip would be to stay true to who you are and don't worry about competitors. If you do the best you can and make your product unique, then you will stand out on your own. Third, be patient and stay focused. There will be slow times, but that does not mean giving up on yourself or your product.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
I would like to thank everyone who has supported and helped my little hobby become a business. To thank my customers who support and continue to support me. There are so many options out there for candles, everywhere, but to know that they love what I personally do means the world to me. I have a customer in DC sending me back his empty glass for custom refills, along with local customers having me do refills is amazing. When we buy things now, that quality has vanished for cheap, mass-produced items; knowing that I use quality pieces and they will be around for years to come feels good and feels right.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/decorandwicks/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decorandwicks/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/decorandwicks/
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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