When I started my candle business it was a bit of an accident. Many choices and steps through my 47 years of life have led to me wanting to start my own business in the first place. I was ready for it, but I didn't know exactly what this business would be.
When I decided I would make just one candle for our home because we have zero pumpkin spice candles (that I know of) where I live in Sweden, googling how to make one candle led to me finding out about "starting a candle business." I was intrigued and quickly hooked. Starting a candle business made perfect sense because I have always loved candles.
Little did I know how life impacting this one decision would be.
This leads me to 9 things I didn't know would happen when I started a candle business.
First, that candle making is so dang hard. Not forever hard, but you need a lot of determination and patience to get there. I had no idea how many different types of waxes, wicks, jars, lids, labels, styles, and scents were out there in the world. I bought way too many things I didn't need and cried many a tear. Obviously I did finally figure it out, but not without gaining BIG respect to my fellow hand-pouring candle makers.
Second, that I would enjoy working with my husband. Working with my husband was never in the plan. When I was figuring out the making of candles... I was completely sola. Then came the time I would attend my first market and my husband jumped in. Having his help has made the load so much lighter and has kept me way more inspired. Additionally I think he became hooked. There is something special about selling at markets, an energy that is just it's own and amazingly we have had so much fun together.
Third, I've been given so many opportunities to remember my own strength. Before I started my business I had found myself in a space where my self esteem was at an all time low. I had had a year of consciously working on my mental health, getting myself into a position where I was able to be that fabulous, worthy, and capable version of myself in spite of some unfortunate happenings that squashed me. Everything about doing my own business from what I've had to learn, new things I'm trying, time management, travel, networking, and self care reminds me of who I truly am and allows me to soar above the mire.
Fourth, I am getting to have such different conversations with my daughters. When I started my business my youngest daughter was only 4. Since then she has wanted to sell cake pops, smoothies, lemonade, and jewellery as add-ons for every candle I sell at the market. My oldest daughter has helped with selling and has created the signs I use. I've been able to share podcast takeaways and have conversations with her about how she could monetise her own creativity... things I never ever thought to talk about with my daughters before.
Fifth, I'm getting to connect and re-connect with friends. Customers have become friends and friends have also become customers. It has been so rewarding to share my business with people I love and respect around the world. It's truly humbling to hear from someone out of nowhere about how they want to support my business.
Sixth, meeting other small business owners and creatives is truly remarkable. These are my kind of people. I had no idea that people were doing such cool things with their time. If you are starting a business, I highly recommend that you find some way to network with other business owners because meeting fellow entrepreneurs is so inspirational and key to growth.
Seventh, how amazing and humbling it is that someone would have and then light one of my candles. Every time I walk away from a market I look at my husband and say, we sold "this many" candles. Then I say "this many" candles will be lit in people's homes!!!!! How crazy is that?! If it's your desire to start a business where you sell a product you make, you might find that this actually stops you from selling. It's quite intimidating to think that someone is using something YOU made. Please push through because what you have to offer just might change someone's life!
Eighth, how much joy my candles bring to others. I never thought about how supportive people could be. It's amazing to receive messages, pictures, and posts from people who truly love my candles and want to support my business. I get to have conversations with people who are made so happy by a scent or who try their best to support woman owned businesses. Doing something that brings so much happiness to others is truly rewarding and definitely a big part of my WHY.
Lastly, how much grit my husband and I have. With all this positivity, comes the hard truth that not every aspect of starting a business is positive. Some days are exhausting. Some days are dark and cold. Some days impostor syndrome gets the best of me. Some days life just happens and having a candle business is just another thing to do. Some days I still make a candle that doesn't turn out perfectly and I think, should I really be doing this? BUT, somehow we keep showing up. Where this ability comes from... I don't completely know??? All of the things listed above definitely help. Here's hoping that this list might instil some grit in you.
Starting your own thing is both hard AND rewarding. If you don't try you'll never know how it could be. I would have never known these 9 things would show up in my life had I not googled how to make a candle and then taken a chance on selling what I made.
Do you have your own thing you've started? I would love to hear about a cool thing that happened to you that you never thought would.
Love,
Amy