Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Dana Peterson, owner of Jar’d Up, located in Indianapolis, IN, USA.

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

We are Jar’d Up! We are a small woman-ran family-owned business. We create high-quality products using high-quality ingredients. Every product that we have is hand-poured and able to be customized. We make richly scented candles, crystal candles, body care products, Turmeric Scrubs, and handmade soaps. We also sell candle accessories for every type of candle lover. We appreciate customers who can really enjoy the beauty of handcrafted/small-batch products.

Our wide variety of long-lasting, hand-poured scented candles allows us to stand out from other candle companies. Our candles are potent and will guarantee to fill your living spaces with their scent. We as a company are inspired to continue to grow and become a name that you as a customer will love.

Tell us about yourself

Starting back in 1999, my love for candles inspired me to create my own signature candles. Eventually, my friends and family would ask if I was able to create smells that they had a hard time finding in stores or were only offered seasonally. I began creating candles as a hobby and only had about five scents. The business has now grown to have more than 50 unique scents.

The thing that motivates both my daughters and me is the smile on our customers' faces as they use our products. The pure excitement of someone trying something new and seeing the intended results is always just as exciting for us as for them. Our supporters' excitement continues to drive us to keep creating our products.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Jar’d Up’s biggest accomplishment was becoming a business. It is no easy challenge to operate a business while maintaining a full-time job and also taking care of children. The market was flooded with different candle companies. Sometimes I became doubtful of how we would stand out, but the returning customers became very motivational. It is an accomplishment to become a business despite obstacles and challenges, but we continue to stand strong.

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

One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is maintaining a good work-life balance. There have been several nights where me and my daughter have pulled all-nighters or have barely slept before an event the next day. I would say making sure that you find a good balance between creating your dream profession/business and still being present in today's moment can go a long way.

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

  1. Consistency. Make sure that you look at everything as content to film or make sure that you are constantly making posts on social media. It’s very important to continue to be seen.
  2. Make sure that if you are starting a business,  you are completely obsessed with the idea of it. It will be a lot of blood, sweat, and tears put into this business, but it will all be worth it as long as it is something that you truly want to invest your time and energy into.
  3. Create a business that is inspired by you or a personality. It’s OK to follow trends, but your business should have aspects of you. Things that you are interested in or pique your curiosity.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We want to thank all of our supporters. We definitely love and appreciate you all, and we hope to continue to grow as a company!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://jardup-scentedcandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JardUpScentedCandles/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jardup_scentedcandles/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JardUpCandles

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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