Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Shontelle Flowers, creator, and owner of FlowEsScents, located in Roseville, MN, USA.

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

FlowEsScents is a candle company that specializes in helping candle lovers curate a safe space of healing and peace at home or any space. Our mission is to create candles that inspire, uplift, and transform your space.

Tell us about yourself

Our origin story is multi-faceted. I always knew as a young child I was going to be an entrepreneur. I started FlowEsScents as a hobby. I love candles and skincare products, and one day a family member showed me a candle she made at a candle-making class. I had never heard of a candle-making class at that time, but making my own candles piqued my interest! I was in grad school at the time, so I waited until after I graduated to take the time to research and learn more about the candle-making industry. A year or so later, I ordered my first candle-making kit and started making candles. It was fun and therapeutic! I knew that I had found my sweet spot! As I honed my candle-making craft, I started giving my candles away as gifts to family members, friends, and coworkers. Soon, I received invites to sell my candles at craft shows, special events, etc. In 2016, I decided it was time to take my hobby to the next level and start a business. On March 16, 2016, I made it official and introduced FlowEsScents to the world! I haven't looked back since.

Each day, what motivates me is knowing that I have a gift to share with the world. There are many days I feel like giving up. Entrepreneurship is challenging, and a year after starting my business, I enrolled in grad school again for my Ph.D. and was working a full-time job as an IT Business Analyst. I had a lot on my plate, but I was bound to make it happen, and I did.

Since starting FlowEsScents in 2016 as a candle company, I have expanded my product offerings to skincare products such as whipped Shea butter, body scrubs, and body oils.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

In November 2019, I officially started my journey as a full-time entrepreneur!

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 having the capital to fund my business and work/life balance. Many days I have to put my business on the back burner to focus on my doctorate and vice versa.

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

  1. Know yourself- Ask yourself if entrepreneurship is for you, and are you mentally prepared for the challenges that come with it?
  2. Research your industry! Know any and everything there is to know about your industry. Position yourself as an industry expert to set yourself apart.
  3. Take breaks from your business. Building a business can be challenging to say the least. There will be days you won't feel like being an entrepreneur and days when you will want to give up. Still, I found that when I have those days, I just need to take a short break from my business and focus on other things that feed my soul and inspire me to push forward.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.flowesscents.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Flowesscents/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowesscents/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/flowesscents
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shontelle-flowers-ms-4b749052/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.