Coconut Wax Candles - Urban Ember Candle Co.
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Michelle Mckendry, founder of Urban Ember Candle Co., located in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Urban Ember Candle Co. is a candle company that was built with a love for candles and the environment. The company was started with the desire to create vegan and eco-friendly candles while still providing our customers with a luxury product.
Our candles are created with premium coconut wax which is the most sustainably sourced of all candle waxes. Coconut wax also provides the benefits of a clean burn, amazing scent throw, and a longer burn time. Our wood wicks provide a soothing crackle and a more unique look than your classic cotton wick. We are proud to use wood wicks that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, assuring that our wicks meet the highest standard of environmental protection and forest management.
Tell us about yourself
My name is Michelle, and I am the creator of Urban Ember candles! I first started making candles when I was 25, living paycheck to paycheck with my best friend and trying to find my place in this world. I was spending too much of what little money I had on candles and decided to try making my own to save money. After doing some research into the candle industry, I was shocked by what the majority of candles are made from. This inspired me to find a way to create the most eco-friendly candle I possibly could and share it with the world.
From there, I have grown to love a life that I would never have envisioned for myself, from building relationships with other small businesses to the creative endeavors of label designing and developing new fragrances to the hand pouring of each and every candle. I have fallen in love with every aspect of this business and can not wait to see what the future holds.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a small business owner has been to create a product that I am completely and wholeheartedly proud of. When starting my business, I placed great importance on buying my products from other small businesses and supporting other companies that have a passion for being environmentally friendly. Being able to find all of my necessary products from other companies that shared my passions and views meant I was able to make my dream candle a reality.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I find that the hardest thing that comes with being a business owner is staying on top of social media trends. Personally, I have never been big into social media. With owning a business, social media has proven to be an important factor in growing your customer base and a great way to share new and exciting products.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Know your competitors and your market. - Find a way to make your company unique and stand out from similar companies.
- Don't overstock a product right out of the gate. - If you're anything like me, your thoughts and ideas on branding and styles will change constantly! After starting your business, the font that you thought looked fun and exciting at first may now seem too loud and overpowering. Do small product orders at the start!
- Stay true to your company. - Small changes to personalize your product is fine! But don't change your initial values to fit another company's idea.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Always continue to grow, experiment, and fuel your passion for what you do! The best part of owning your own business is the ability to customize it to be whatever you want, and that is a beautiful thing!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.urbanembercandle.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/urbanembercandle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/urbanembercandle/
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.
Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.