Hidden Gems: Meet Bonny Tillman of Vino-Eco Candle Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Bonny Tillman.

Hi Bonny, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m a small business owner in Acworth, GA. In 2009 I was working in a little wine shop in our downtown area called The Oak Barrel. We sold wine, gifts and gourmet food. I learned so much about wine during that time and enjoyed conducting the tastings and talking about wine. During a merchandise buying trip, we came across wine bottle candles. I’ve always been drawn to wines with clever and interesting labels. The candles were a new idea in the market, and we were thrilled by the environmental aspect of reusing the bottles. However, when the product arrived, it was poor quality. That was my lightbulb moment. I thought I could do a better job. I recruited my husband James and after six months of testing, breaking glass and pouring lots of candles, “Vino-Eco Candle Company” was born.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The past decade has been a learning curve. A small business owner wears many hats, from creating the product, marketing, bookkeeping, etc. Managing your time is very important. In the early days, I made a lot of cold calls to store owners, which helps you develop a thick skin. Over time we found our niche and have a loyal group of store owners, repeat and on-line customers.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We make Reclaimed Wine Bottle Candles. We love wine, and the labels can be a work of art. We reclaim the bottles, cut and sand to a smooth finish, pour 100% soy wax, and premium grade fragrance. Our candles are clean-burning, and the fragrances are Phthalate free.

The most rewarding part of our business is custom orders. Wine is a celebratory thing. I love the stories about engagements, weddings, anniversaries, and the special moments when the wine was enjoyed. Our candles are the perfect keepsake to remember that occasion. The best part is the candle can be refilled over and over to keep that memory alive.

We’ve been in business for eleven years. Over the past decade the market is saturated, and a lot of candle companies have come and gone. We are known for our quality. Thanks to my husband James, the cutting and sanding is impeccable.

We have a lot of loyal customers and committed friends that save bottles for us.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I like the community feel, from my local coffee shop to the park where I walk each morning. You can dine locally and the owners will remember you. The area continues to grow, so the traffic has increased, unfortunately. We’re close enough to Atlanta to enjoy events, but our community has a lot to offer.

Pricing:

• Medium size candle is $24.
• 16-18 oz. of wax
• Burn time: 95+ hours
• Tall size candle is $29.
• 20-22 oz. of wax
• Burn time: 150+ hours

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.vinoecocandles.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Vino-Eco-Candle-Company-168989456452800/
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/vinoecocandles