Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Cook.
Tamara, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Oblivion Candle Co was launched in February 2020. I have always had a love of art, especially things that I could create, such as paintings, crafts, jewelry, etc. Candles are so soothing and my escape from a long day. I prefer to burn them while listening to music. I would literally burn candles as a calming mechanism once I arrived home in the afternoons, from being stuck in Atlanta traffic. I’ve worked since 2005 in the field of Human Resources and would make candles as gifts for co-workers. One day, the notion literally hit me to start selling them. At first, it was just something I did for fun and a way to relax. My son told me to stop talking about creating a candle and just do it. That’s when I decided to build a website and Oblivion Candle Co was created.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The majority of creating a candle line has been smooth. I was self-taught, so I would literally spend hours watching YouTube videos. I made sure I learned about the different wax types: beeswax, coconut, paraffin and soy wax. One of the most challenging roles of being self taught you must become a student of the craft you are studying. This means countless hours and days perfecting ratios, fragrances and wax formulas.
I would say the biggest obstacle was focusing on the fragrances. There is a science to making sure your candles burn with a nice “hot throw”. Any candle can possibly smell good before it is lit; however, the test comes into play once it interacts with the flame.
Please tell us about Oblivion Candle.
All candles for Oblivion Candle Co are hand-poured in small batches. I am in charge of every intricate detail that goes into the creation. From the very beginning, choosing a name for the different scents, picking containers, selecting the best soy wax to infuse. Photography, I am “hands-on” when it comes to marketing, setting up the website, choosing colors, themes, colors, etc. Oblivion Candle is relatively new, remember the website was launched in February of 2020. As of now, I have eight scents available, which caters to BOTH men (2 scents) and women (6 scents). Our candles are available in 4 0z travel tins, 8 oz glass containers, 12 oz glass containers and wax melts.
Currently, we are in the midst of Covid-19, so I am extremely grateful that my candle line has been well received as an e-commerce business. I have been given nothing short of excellent customer reviews through friends, word of mouth and social media. There are many candle makers, what sets Oblivion Candle Co apart is the fact that we make sure each candle is one, that I’d burn in my home. I appreciate the words of encouragement and accolades from reviews. It’s a special feeling, knowing your candle is literally “lighting someone’s life.”
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I would have started over, the only thing I would have done differently was branch out and create this business years earlier.
Pricing:
- Travel Tins (4 oz) $6 Wax Melts $6
- 8 oz glass containers $10
- 12 oz glass containers $15
Contact Info:
- Website: OblivionCandle.com
- Email: info@oblivioncandle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oblivioncandles/
- Facebook: Oblivion Candle
Image Credit:
Tamara Cook
Robert Cook
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