Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Chelcee Bryant, Owner of Good Vibes Apothecary, located in Kansas City, KS, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I make candles & wax melts, incense, aromatherapy rollers & mists, all with the most natural ingredients possible. I love supporting other small Midwest businesses, so my supplies are sourced as locally as possible and handcrafted into high-quality goods you can feel great about using! Whether you're looking for a gift for a friend or swapping out products in your home for more natural versions, Good Vibes Apothecary has you covered!
Tell us about yourself
Good Vibes Apothecary was started on the feeling of home and comfort. I am an introverted homebody, and I love to have my home feel like a retreat! Simple things, like lighting a candle, can create a sense of calm and is an act of self-care. Once I had the opportunity to attend markets and spread the word about soy and the benefits of these candles over mass-produced varieties, plus see reactions to the scents I had created, I felt the ultimate sense of coming full circle. I get to create things I love and share them with people who also love them!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Becoming a business owner has been my biggest accomplishment in itself! Being a foster kid, the possible outcomes for my future weren't grand.
I just wanted to survive and be on my own. Launching my business helped me realize I'm capable of literally anything if I put the effort in to make it happen. I never dreamed I would create things with my own hands, and people would actually buy it, but not just buy it: LOVE IT!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things about being a business owner is time management. There is always something to be done, to improve on, or a project to be started (or finished). It can be overwhelming. You are your manager, so you have to be organized and self-motivated while also having the ability to step away and take a break when necessary!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Have a solid idea of your goals. What do you want to sell, make, do, and where? Online versus in-person or both? Who is your market? Start with exactly what you want your base to be, and launch from there!
- Organization! This is the key to running a successful business without losing your sanity. Have a designated file folder for business documents and a working binder with a calendar, calculator, and contacts. It makes it easier if you have everything you need at hand and sorted rather than scattered everywhere, hunting for what you need. There's a lot of paperwork that comes with running a business!
- Don't take yourself too seriously. Comparison is your enemy, not other people! When I started my business, it was hard not to compare myself to other, more successful candlemakers with far more experience than me. The only thing that will give you that experience is doing it, and keep doing it! You'll get the experience and improve over time, just like they did. Focus on your brand and what you have to offer, and don't worry about what others are doing unless it's for positive inspiration.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://goodvibesapothecary.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goodvibesapothecary
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/good_vibes_apothecary/
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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