Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jamahl Grace, founder of Grace+Love Candle Co., located in Sterling, VA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Grace+Love Candle Co. targets savvy, eco-conscious consumers who look to beautify and enhance their environments with lush and unique fragrances that are non-toxic, affordable vegan luxury. Grace+Love Candle Co. strives to become a highly respected family-owned business and one of the best non-toxic and vegan-friendly home fragrance companies that instill positivity and happiness in the lives of others through reliving happy moments all while providing a touch of modern elegance.
Tell us about yourself
I originally started working on this business as a way to make my wife happy at the beginning of the pandemic. We easily spent so much money monthly on candles, and while everyone was grabbing toilet paper, we grabbed candles at the beginning of the pandemic. We quickly burned threw them. When we couldn't find the ones we wanted for a reasonable price, we decided to start making our own. When our friends and family found out, they wanted us to make them some as well, and hearing how it made them happy fueled our fire for wanting to expand this. Those stories of happiness and love are what motivate us to provide top-notch fragrance products for our customers.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The fact that we are still here! It has been a crazy journey, but we have established some great partnerships, and we are learning and becoming better every day.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Letting go of what you can't control. There are so many things happening in the economy that you can't control, and you have to be ok with that. Also, don't take anything personally.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Don't Stop. You will laugh to keep from crying and not sleep most nights. But if you believe in your dream, don't give up on it.
- Stay Encouraged. This is one of the most difficult things you will ever do, and on those hard days, you will need to stay encouraged.
- Remember why you started. On days that seem grey remembering your "Why" may bring some sunshine back your way.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.gracelovecandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/graceandlovecandles
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/graceandlovecandles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gracelovecandle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/grace-love-candle-co/
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.
