Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kay Sanders, CEO of Radiant Release Candle Co., located in Atlanta, GA, USA.

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

I currently own and operate two businesses. I am the CEO and owner of Radiant Release Candle Co. I'm proud to say that even though we sell candles, Radiant Release is more than a candle company; it's a lifestyle. Our mission is purposeful and intentional. Think of Radiant Release as an opportunity to create a space in your home or life that is relaxed and refreshing. Setting the ultimate self-care goal to release unwanted stressors from your life in order to regroup, replenish, and feel radiant on a continuum.

Aside from the warm glow, soft silhouette, and illumination, our candles provide a great sense of relaxation. Our candles are novelty items that are made up of traditional and non-traditional scents. Each one of our candles is hand-mixed, hand-poured, and hand-labeled. We use the finest wax blends, elegant vessels, enticing scented oils, on occasion, essential oils, lead-free cotton wicks, as well as all-natural wood wicks. We include candle care instructions and special reward offers inside each of our recyclable packaged products to produce our radiant candles.

The significance lies in depth which is why my signature style is luxury minimalism which encourages the focus on quality, not quantity. Radiant Release brand focuses its energy on items and experiences that will push you forward in a positive direction. We offer an array of relaxing candle scents, wax melts, room sprays, essential oils, and candle care accessories. An extension of Radiant Release is our Peace Love Radiance brand which offers apparel, self-care journals, affirmation cards, water bottles, yoga accessories, and more.

Our hope is that our customers become a part of our Radiant Community, which strives for wellness. We engage socially by posting daily Radiant Release reminders for our followers to stay encouraged. By showing grace to oneself, we put forth the effort to encourage daily self-care and Wellness Wednesday Walks. Radiant Release customer base is gender-neutral, with an age range between 18-60 years young. Radiant Release customers enjoy positive energy and peace in their lives, home, and space.

Tell us about yourself

My name is Kay Sanders, and I'm a solopreneur. I've been blessed to have an amazingly supportive husband and three beautiful children. I have an associate's degree in science with a concentration in nursing. I'm from South Philadelphia but have lived in Atlanta, GA, since 2014. Spring of 2023, I'll be continuing my education and looking forward to obtaining my bachelor's degree in business administration with a minor in African American studies.

Working full-time as an entrepreneur is fulfilling but can also become overwhelming. One of the greatest challenges of being in business by yourself is not having a team to collaborate with. In an effort to seek to restore my sense of sisterhood and reconnection, I created my second business, The Like Fine Wine Club.

The Like Fine Wine Club is a trifecta that includes wine, sisterhood, and travel for millennial women of color ages 21 and older. We aspire to curate an abundance of amazing experiences around the world. A wine club is a sophisticated group of women who offers an opportunity to connect, support, uplift, travel, educate, engage in community involvement and continuously build a strong palate for great tasting wine.

Be sure to check us out at www.likefinewineclub.com. This networking venture is an exciting way to connect with peers, inspirational brands, and like-minded individuals. Proactively surrounding myself with a network of goal-oriented women has allowed me to engage more. This endeavor has replenished my energy and allowed me to restore my enthusiasm for being a solopreneur.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment thus far is making the decision to create an impactful legacy of prosperity for my family. I'm truly a girl who decided to go for it! Bringing together candles, wine, travel, networking, and sisterhood is a great satisfaction for me. The Like Fine Wine Club is membership driven and thriving. Radiant Release Candle Co is fully incorporated with our trademark status pending.

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

The hardest thing about being an entrepreneur is self-doubt. You're often busy wearing so many hats and doing what you know best you may eventually feel a sense of aloneness. In doing so, your goals may begin to feel far off in the distance. Therefore it can become easy to doubt and second-guess yourself. Luckily I found a great coach and mentor to help me to continue to stay motivated.

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

  1. Never stop learning. The world is constantly evolving, so make it a point to always seek knowledge and continuous growth.
  2. Know your customer. If you know what your customer wants and what they expect, then you can ultimately create a customizable customer experience, improve customer satisfaction, and possibly obtain repeat business.
  3. Kindness is key. While striving to be your best self, be encouraged and remember to be kind to yourself and others. Release the stressors in your life and welcome back the radiant being that is you.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

One last tidbit to be mindful of, anything you have to work hard for is worth having, so don't give up! Where radiance glows, energy flows. See the dream. Feel the dream. Live the dream. Be the dream.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.radiantrelease.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/radiant.release
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/radiant_release_candle_co/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Radiant_Release
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/radiant-release-candle-co-877020227/

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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