Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jilleon Houston, Founder of May-Bel Candles LLC, located in St. Louis, MO, USA.

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

I am May-Bel Candles, but I'm not just candles. Our line has candles, wax melts, and air fresheners, but we also have home decor items (such as trinket trays, coaster sets, and acrylic paintings). Right now, our current consumers are lovers of candles and aromatics. I am adding more and more home decor items to our brand, and I believe our line will soon be in many homes.

Tell us about yourself

A family trip to Hobby Lobby to get crafting supplies for our daughter is how this story begins. My husband and I wandered down the candle-making aisle, and he said that we should give it a try. We started making granulated candles in 2016. By the beginning of 2017, I had done my research and saw that granulated wax just wasn't healthy for you. Our coworkers were placing orders, and our business began to blossom. During COVID, we stopped attending farmer's markets and craft fairs, which gave me time to rebrand and redevelop our products. With the launch of our new line, I am determined to make us succeed. I stand behind my products and seeing the smile on customers' faces drives me to continue. Having them tell me personally how much they love something they purchased from us motivates me. Getting messages from family members and friends requesting more candles and car fresheners gives me such a great feeling.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

The biggest accomplishment I have is branching out of my comfort zone. I am an introvert, and it's hard to attend farmer's markets and craft shows or reach out to local shops and sell my brand, knowing that my social battery is limited. I do my very best to embrace the opportunity to talk about the benefits of my products or explain how to use them properly to each and every consumer.

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

The hardest thing about being a business owner, in my opinion, is spreading out my time. I am a wife and mother of two and work full-time. All of these things require my time and attention. Sometimes I get into my creative modes and feel like I'm neglecting my husband or my kids. Sometimes the creative juices flow, and I'm at work and can only write down what I want to do.

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

  1. Never give up! Your business will grow as far as you want it to, but you have to put in the work and be patient. In your first years, you are planting the seed and watering it, but if you give time, patience, and love...your business will bloom.
  2. Find other small business owners and become each other's support. I've had the privilege to work closely with other small business owners, and we encourage each other when needed.
  3. It's ok to take a break. This doesn't mean giving up; it means giving yourself the time to unwind if you need to and don't feel bad about it. Good things can happen if you take a step back; just make sure you return to the business.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I can't wait for you to see what else we have in store.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://may-belcandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MayBelCandlesLLC/

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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