Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bailie Dickson, owner of DicksonCandleCo, located in Dickson, TN, USA.

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

I make hand-poured soy candles. I would say my customers are people who love candles, shopping small and clean products. People who want good scents in their home without all the overwhelming artificial fragrances.

Tell us about yourself

I saw an opportunity to make cleaner products more accessible and affordable and knew that other people were thinking like I was. Big branded candles have awful chemicals and ingredients in their products. Are they easily accessible and sometimes cheaper? Absolutely, but I think it’s time we all start being mindful about what type of chemicals we put in our bodies and our space.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Definitely, how much my business has grown. When I first started out, I stuck strictly to seasonal scents. Since then, I’ve added a Harry Potter character line, wax melts, and warmers and have done some specialty scents for events and made candles for local businesses. I have a few more lines of candles coming in late 2022/2023!

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

Sometimes people don’t realize that you are a one-person show and expect their product to be there within 1-2 days, like Prime. I know it’s convenient, everyone loves free shipping. Just take a step back and realize that there’s someone working incredibly hard to get you your things as soon as they can.

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

  1. Research!!! Don’t rush yourself. There are other people out there doing something similar that are willing to help. Facebook groups, Youtube, etc., use them to your advantage!
  2. Practice as much as you can, there’s a slim chance you’re going to get it correct the first time you try, and if you don’t, that’s okay.
  3. Build your customer base before selling! Make a social media page and invite people to go along this journey with you! It’s a good way to feel connected to your future customers and is a great way to build followers and clientele.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://dicksoncandleco.myshopify.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3vkEyv1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dicksoncandleco/

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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