Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Niosha M. Tonic, owner of TAJ Candles, located in Westampton, NJ, USA.

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

At TAJ Candles, we aim to help you make your house a home. A certain smell can bring life to a celebration, add ambiance to a romantic evening, bring calm after a hectic day, or just add a little spice to the room. Using one of our many candles or room sprays, we are here to help you create the mood you are looking for. We also can customize a scent to fit your exact need for home or business.

Tell us about yourself

I am Niosha Tonic, owner of TAJ Candles. The craft of making candles was passed down to me by my father when I was nine years old. After my children got older and time gave way, I returned back to being a Chandler. Making candles brings me peace, and I love what I do. I also get to be out in the community at events selling my candles and meeting new people at every event I do. It's very gratifying to speak to different people from all walks of life about a craft I enjoy making. Then seeing them again as a repeat customer. I have joined up with a few businesses to create signature scents for their promotional packets or thank you's for their customers as well.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is just has the mindset to start. Many people have so many ideas but never start the process of bringing them to light. The name TAJ comes from the first initial of my three children's first names. What better accomplishment is there than being a Mom? The support I get from them keeps me going and motivated, so my business could not be named after anything else.

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

The hardest part about being a business owner is not being able to be at more events to expose people to my products. I work full-time still, so I am limited to scheduling events on the weekends. I would also like to branch out into different states more as well. All though I am not discouraged, things will fall into place as they should and when they should. I trust the process instead of rushing the process.

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

  1. Research your craft - it took me six months of studying before I even made a candle. I started practicing with a $10 candle kit and grew from there. If you love it, devote the time to researching your idea.
  2. Stay Quiet - only let the people that need to know what they need to know and nothing more. People have a way of sidetracking your thinking or halting your growth. Most people learned about my business the day I launched my website. Keep it to yourself until you are ready to blow their minds with it.
  3. Keep the Faith - not every day is going to be wonderful. Some days will bring you to tears with frustration but stay with the wave; it will smooth out. Write down the good and the bad things and look for a pattern in what is working and what is not.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

I appreciate everyone who has been on this journey with me. If you purchased a candle or home scent, if you took the time to stop by my booth, and if you clicked on my website - you are the reason I do this. The support of my family grounds me, and I thank them for the support and love they have provided. I thank Subkit for giving me the platform to reach out to more people as well.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://taj-candles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TAJ-Candles-105487731506280/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tajcandles/

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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