Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in scented candles but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Briana Avdyli, Founder of West Creek Candle, located in Westfield, MA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the owner of West Creek Candle, and we make soy-scented candles and wax melts. Our customers vary from housewives to husbands! We make candles for everyone!
Tell us about yourself
I began making homemade candles while on maternity leave and really loved the creative outlet and how many options I had! I love creating a cozy home with different scents, and I absolutely enjoyed gifting them to my family, so I decided to start a business and share my creations with the world. I want everyone to be able to create a cozy space with our incredible scents!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is being able to look back and see how far I have come! There have been so many obstacles and roadblocks that I had to push through, and keeping myself motivated was not always easy! I look back, and I am incredibly proud of how far I have come!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that come with owning a small business is constantly questioning yourself and your product! It is easy to get discouraged when things become difficult, and you see other brands blooming, and you hit a rough patch! When you own your business, there is no one to turn to for help or motivation; you have to find it within yourself!
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Do as much research as possible! Research your competitors and current and past trends and platforms! I would spend a lot of time researching vendors and operating systems and go in with as much knowledge as I can handle to give myself the best foundation!
- Prepare yourself mentally for the hard times. There will be days when it all feels like too much, and you just want to throw in the towel and move on! Those are the days that will push you to be better and work harder; you just have to push through!
- Lean on your friends and family for support. In the beginning, I thought I would never make a sale! My friends and family stepped in and supported me and gave me honest feedback to help make me stronger and my business stronger, and it really pushed me in the right direction! The ones that love you want to see you succeed, so don’t be afraid to let them in!
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://westcreekcandle.square.site/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/westcreekcandleco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westcreek.candleco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/westcreekcandle
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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