Unique Pieces From the Past - The Curious Candle Company
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Aaron and Emily Nevel, Founders of The Curious Candle Company, located in Chicago, IL, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
The Curious Candle Company upcycles and preserves vintage vessels by turning them into unique hand-poured clean burning candles. We use a coconut-apricot-based wax that is organic and biodegradable using only sustainable sourced wooden wicks. The mission of our company is to give new life to vintage vessels. We hope people make a connection to a particular candle, and it not only becomes a piece of their home decor but a part of their family story.
We offer a refill program with each candle purchased. Our refill program includes one free refill, and any subsequent refills are 25% of the original purchase price. The goal of this program is to promote the sustainability and longevity of the vintage piece in your home and reduce waste.
Tell us about yourself
Aaron is an attorney by trade, and I am a former educator, and we saw an opportunity for us to create a business that we could grow together. We both grew up antiquing with our parents and have always enjoyed the ambiance that is created by burning candles. Our vision was to create a refillable candle with the best ingredients on the market and produce them in unique pieces from the past.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Our biggest accomplishment as business owners has been creating a product that is sustainable and sharing our love of antiques with a new generation. We have great joy seeing customers return their vessels for a refill showing the sustainability of our business.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that has come with owning a business as a married couple is balancing the time that we devote to our business versus our personal lives. Another challenge that we have discovered is finding all of our vintage vessels in the condition and style that meet our standards.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Three tips that we would give anyone looking to start their own business include having a specific vision for your company, creating short and long-term goals, and learning to adapt as you go.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.thecuriouscandlecompany.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecuriouscandlecompany/
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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