Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kelli Newsome, co-owner of OKcollective Candle Co., located in Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

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

We are a queer women-owned and operated hand-poured soy candle company based in Oklahoma City. Our customers are anyone that loves candles and loves supporting small hand-crafted businesses. Our branding is really clean and modern so that it will fit with anyone’s style. Our candles are made with all-natural soy wax, high-grade fragrance oils, and cotton, lead-free wicks.

Tell us about yourself

My wife and I started our candle business in 2016 because we wanted to make something together and create our dream life. Our goal was to create a sustainable brand so we could both become self-employed, grow our family and create a life where we could be really hands-on and present with our family. Owning a business isn’t something you start and then let it ride; you have to be motivated to always work on it, finding new ways to innovate and keep evolving. We’re passionate about our brands and love watching them grow.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

When Jessi was able to go full-time self-employed within a few months in our first year, I went full-time self-employed in November 2019 after starting our second brand, Common Dear. OKcollective helped get that brand off its feet.

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

Letting go is one of the hardest things. Hiring employees that you trust to take on some of the day-to-day responsibilities and finding people and other small businesses to collaborate on things that are more of our weaknesses and their strengths are so important and valuable. One or even two people can’t do it all. You have to be honest about your strengths and weaknesses and what you have time for so you can begin to let go so can continue to grow.

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

Be genuine and passionate about what your business is or does. You’re going to talk about it a lot and spend a lot of time working on it, so you want it to be something you love. Be willing to try new things. The way you start your business may not be where you end up and be willing to try and fail. What sells and doesn’t sell isn’t personal. Pop-ups are a great way to test the market if you’re a product-based business. You can literally offer something new as often as you want until you find your niche.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Remember that self-care is just as important as everything else. If you never take a day off or invest in your physical and mental health, your business won’t be sustainable, and you’ll burn out. It’s your business; you make the rules, and you identify values to what’s important to you. You can’t wait for someone to tell you what to do or how to run your business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://weareokcollective.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareokcollective
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okcollective/

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.

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