Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Oyindamola Honey Apanpa, owner of Honey's Scented Company, located in Farmers Branch, TX, USA.

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

Honey's Scented Company is a minority woman-owned candle and fragrance brand founded in 2020. We specialize in long-lasting scented products (such as wickless candles, car air fresheners, bath salts, bath teas, body and massage oils, massage candles, room/linen sprays, and wax melts), with our Wickless Candle being our flagship product.

Our Wickless Candle was inspired by the love for our environment and the earth in general. I realized I needed to do something in my own little way to reduce fire outbreaks that start from burning candles. In addition, I also wanted to create a safe and better way to enjoy candles by letting people know you don't have to burn candles to enjoy candles.

With Wickless candles, you don't have to worry about trimming your wicks (which can cause a fire if not properly trimmed) or having soot or flame (since there is no wick). You simply just need a warmer. Since our candles do not reduce in quantity, you get a controlled release of the fragrance over time, allowing them last longer than the traditional wicked candles.

Our Wickless Candles are also great for people who have kids/pets because it eliminates the fire hazard posed by traditional candles. Our Wickless Candles are infused with herbs and botanical flowers. Some of our customers love to use them as decorative pieces for their living spaces.

Our typical customers are:

  • Candle users.
  • Lovers of clean and pure fragrance.
  • Anyone who likes to relax or have a self-care routine.

We also have different curated gift box options that can be gifted for weddings, baby showers, and holiday gifts.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Oyindamola (means Honey mixed with Wealth), but I go by "Honey." I started making candles in mid-2020 as a hobby when COVID-19 struck because I love anything and everything home décor and fragrances, and I love to create and decorate spaces. I started out making wicked candles, but I wanted a candle that was safer and easier to melt without worrying about fire hazards while still getting the best experience from using candles, hence the reason I started making Wickless Candles. All you need is just a Wax Warmer. Just for context, here are some statistics on candle fire hazards according to the National Fire Protection Association.

"During the five-year period of 2014-2018, US fire departments responded to an average of 7,610 home structure fires that were started by candles per year: Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires. Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 40% of the associated deaths and 49% of the associated injuries. Falling asleep was a factor in 10% percent of the home candle fires and 15% of the associated deaths. On average, 21 home candle fires were reported per day.

Three of every five (60%) home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle. December is the peak time of year for home candle fires, followed closely by January. In December, 12% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year. These fires caused an annual average of 81 deaths, 677 injuries, and ~$278 million in direct property damage."

…but have no fear, that is why I make wickless candles, and this is what motivates me each day, trying to contribute in my own little way to make our environment better! We also plan to collaborate with local fire departments to help get the word out.

I hope to build my brand into a known home décor brand to be sold in retail stores nationwide. I would also love to have my own candle store/studio and warehouse in the future. Every one of our products is handmade with lots of love, positive vibes, and good intentions.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to contribute in a positive way to the environment, helping to reduce property damage from fire outbreaks, and providing great products people need for their self-care or relaxation routine. The most rewarding part of being a business owner is being my own boss, controlling my own schedule, and impacting and enhancing lives while doing what I love to do best. I was also able to build my website by myself without previous knowledge of web design or graphic design, but my business has given me the opportunity and challenge to learn new things I wouldn't have had reasons to learn or try if I wasn't running or started Honey's Scented Company.

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

Basically, the day-to-day running of a business. At the moment, I pour candles, mix fragrance and test candles, do accounting, attend farmers' markets and pop-up events (as much as I can), attend meetings with clients, and teach candle-making classes with kids. I used to handle my marketing, adverts, and graphic designs. Still, I have learned to delegate those roles to others to give me more room to create new products and work on the other aspects of the business. As the business grows, I intend to hire more people to make things easier for us all.

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

  1. I encourage anyone looking to start a business to start! Do not wait till you have all the money you think you would need before you start. Whatever small amount you can put together, use it, and know that from small beginnings come great things.
  2. Do something you love and have a great passion for, for when it gets really challenging and hard, it is your passion that will drive you and remind you not to give up.
  3. Do lots of research about the business you intend to venture into as things change every day and no man is an island; you will benefit a lot from others who have more knowledge or experience in the same business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

When you eventually start, try to network as much as you can by attending events, lots of farmer's markets, and pop-ups to get to know your customers more, what they need, the improvements they would love to see or get from your products, and you also get to relate with them face to face. I believe networking brings opportunities.

I encourage everyone to strive to do things that will have a more positive and less negative impact on our environment and earth in general. It is all we have got.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website:
https://honeysscentedco.com/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/HoneysScentedCo
https://linktr.ee/honeysscentedcompany

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Honeys-Scented-Company-105859388546996/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/honeysscentedcompany/

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.