Hand Decorated and Poured With Love

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cathy M Johnson, owner of Dreambird Candles, located in Kingston, WA, USA.

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

Dreambird Candles is a luxury candle and wax melt company. I have beautiful gift boxes that are perfect for any occasion and for anyone. I'm proud to say my candles are made with a blended wax of vegan, coconut-apricot creme, which is so very smooth and luxurious. Waxes are gluten-free, toxin-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, and come from renewable sources. The entire blend utilizes only FDA approved waxes.

I make luxurious and delicate wax melts blended with a bit of organic beeswax to hold the shape of the melt. I make everything by hand. Each candle comes with wooden wicks. I use tealights that are twice as deep and metal that will not bend when used. I hand pour each candle and decorate each one with care and love. They are made for the person that would like a little bit of luxury added to their day in the setting of their choice. I am happy that people would want to enjoy themselves by candlelight.

Tell us about yourself

Dreambird Candles was developed in December 2021 during the pandemic. I was working as a development coordinator for a wildlife shelter and also worked with raptors as part of the education team. I decided during a medical break to take care of my family and sick parent at that time and make candles for my sister to go with her product line at Real Fruit Body since I enjoyed it as a hobby.

I started getting encouragement from my youngest sister of three and really enjoyed what I was creating! I began to take it seriously and eventually quit my career of 5+ years. Taking a risk was very scary for me; I loved my job. Once I took that leap, with the approval of my husband, then I felt this sense of relief and accomplishment.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I think my biggest accomplishment as a business owner was learning and completing projects on my own with little help. I built my own website with many trials and tribulations; even though my husband could have helped me, I felt awesome doing it by myself!

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

Some of the hardest things that come with being a business owner are setting up my day to be productive and still having time at home for things that need to be completed. Working from home is harder than you think, especially when your dogs are barking at every delivery driver and your husband has been working from home in the next room since the pandemic.

Allocating time for selling to stores, marketing, social media, accounting, photography, supply ordering, event schedules, plans for my workday, putting away time for errands, time with family and friends, and lastly, finding time to make a product that I am very proud of and that people with buy.

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

Be patient. Good things do not come to those who sit and let success come to them. You must work hard and don't let anyone discourage what you believe in.
I know this one is hard, but schedule out your days, weeks, and even months so you don't get too overwhelmed and lose track of what you are doing. Try to only work 8 hours a day when you work from home.
Learn from those who are successful in the same business. Do not look at them as competitors but as those you can learn from. Networking is key, and show up to your events.

I thought of the love theme because I am half Japanese, and Japanese calligraphy is so lovely that I wanted to incorporate it into my labels. I hand decorate each product with rose quartz (for love) and 24K gold leaf. I am proud to have created such a beautiful brand and base my collections on "love" and the lotus flower, which symbolizes rebirth, purity, and regeneration in some cultures.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.dreambirdcandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Dreambirdcandles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dreambirdflycandles/

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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