Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Theresa McGrew, owner of Keleka Designs, located in Henderson, NV, USA.

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

Aloha and welcome to Keleka Designs, home of Led (Flameless) Candles with beautiful designs and a built-in 5-hour timer. Keleka Designs has a candle for every season! (Tropical, Hawaiian, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Wedding, Patriotic, Spring, all seasons, Holidays…and amazing gifts)

Do you know that feeling when you go on vacation? Whether it is to the Hawaiian Islands, the beach, the lake, the mountains, or living in a desert oasis. I create designs on indoor or outdoor flameless candles that give you that “vacation” relaxing, peaceful feeling in your own home, backyard, or patio. I want your home to be your paradise. Your happiness is my happiness.

My customers mean the world to me. I am so thankful to you, women, men, moms, dads, grandparents, and young adults. Thank you to all of you.

Tell us about yourself

Aloha! My name is Theresa, but I go by (Keleka), my Hawaiian name. Keleka (Theresa) Designs. I have been traveling to the Hawaiian Islands all my life. I wanted a way to bring “The Aloha Spirit” to homes across the US and beyond. The Hawaiian culture is what has inspired my tropical designs. So here I was in a wonderful advertising career and successful for over 20 years in California, then in Nevada. I enjoyed my career, but I was not doing what I love to do. I realized that I was not fulfilling my artistic dreams, so I decided that I needed to make a change. So, what do I do?

After the long advertising days, I loved to relax in the evenings. I loved the backyard, the patio, the pool (I am a water girl), yoga, meditation, and an affinity for candles. I invested so much in candles only to come home and find them outside, all melted. This is how the idea of Keleka designs started.

I discovered that I could create my own beautiful indoor or outdoor candles with custom, unique designs. I have years of artistic experience and a degree in Visual and Public Art, ranging from painting murals to digital art and collaborating with people for projects. It took challenging work to figure out how to create these, but through trial and error, I learned how: Flameless LED indoor/outdoor Candles with designs and with a built-in timer! YES!!!!

I now greet every morning filled with peace and excitement to make my customers (or as I like to think of my Ohana family) feel the happiness I feel when they receive my custom-made led, flameless candles.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is making my customers happy. The appreciation that is reciprocated when my customers receive their candles is so fulfilling. This is what makes me the happiest; it sincerely fills my heart. I also create personalized/custom-made candles and even memorial candles. I like to think I am spreading aloha (love) and lighting up someone’s life…one candle at a time. I am also proud that I followed my dreams, but I have more to come, and I want to encourage others to follow their dreams too.

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 the expenses. (Especially right now with inflation and the increase in all costs from shipping to products to supplies) But I try to keep prices as affordable as possible.

The second hardest thing is getting your product found on a budget. I rely on social media, google, Etsy and referrals to get the word out.
As a one-woman shop, it takes a lot of time and effort to do it all. From finances, inventory, finding the right vendors, social media posts, and creating innovative designs, to managing my website and Etsy shop. It’s an enjoyable juggling act with running a household, marriage, and a puppy (ha-ha), but I still love it all.

Each candle is hand-made (custom-made) when ordered. It would be wonderful to have automation for large quantities to help make them in the future.

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

  1. Always follow your dreams and your passion.
  2. Start slowly- Have income on the side (or another job) while starting your business. Once things take off, then go for it full-time.
  3. Don’t give up and keep pushing yourself - challenges will occur. You are worth it, and you deserve to do what makes you happy.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Go for it with all your heart, passion, and soul. I'm so grateful to my best friend-my husband (Jim), who was there encouraging and supporting me to follow my dreams. Jim even helped me wrap and make the candles in the very beginning. Thank goodness I figured out a way to create them on my own. I know Jim was grateful too. :)

Blessings, light, love, and aloha to all of you.
Mahalo nui loa,
Keleka

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.kelekaart.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kelekaart/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelekadesigns/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KelekaD

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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