Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Roberts.
Hi Amanda, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started this small business in June 2019. I got the urge to start the company after I attended a candle-making class and realized I could make high-quality 100% soy wax products by hand for friends and family. After passing out my tester products and receiving feedback from family and friends, my husband and I decided to go for it and begin our own candle company. We started out selling online, at in-person markets, and a few local businesses around the Woodstock area. I hand-poured all of the candles in our kitchen. In a little over two years, we have expanded to partner with ten different retail locations around Atlanta and recently moved into a co-working retail/production space for local makers, Made Mercantile, in Downtown Woodstock. The growth we have seen over the past two years has been astounding, and we are excited to see our business continue to blossom. Our hope is that our candles bring you joy and make you feel more at home!
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 journey to get where we are today has not been easy by any means. Battling through a pandemic is difficult on any small business, including ours. We faced supply chain issues, shipping delays, canceled in-person events, and more unforeseen difficulties.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I handcraft and pour 100% soy wax melts and candles in small batches, which are scented with premium fragrance oils that are infused with essential oils and are phthalate-free. My products are curated to provide that sense of “home” that everyone knows and loves. I meticulously choose candle vessels that can serve as beautiful home decor pieces and can be easily recycled for another use after the candle is finished burning.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
I have learned during the Covid-19 crisis that as a small business owner, you constantly have to be flexible and ready to adapt at all times. When all of my pre-scheduled in-person events were being canceled, I shifted my business model to focus on retail stores. I truly believe that I would not be where I was today if I was not forced out of my comfort zone to reach out to new retailers.
Pricing:
- $35 for dough bowl candle
- $45 for beaded bowl candle
Contact Info:
- Email: info@cherokeerosecandleco.com
- Website: www.cherokeerosecandleco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherokeerosecandleco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherokeerosecandleco/
Image Credits
All photos – AR Creative Co. @arcreativeco
