Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandra Kennedy.
Hi Chandra, 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 got my start in 2019 after buying a couple of candles that I burned through in two days! I was at a hair appointment joking with my stylist at the time and said “I think I want to learn to make candles”. We bounced name ideas off each other while I googled to see if the names were taken or not. When everything and I mean EVERYTHING we looked for was taken I said, “I’m gonna call it something like Wicks & Shit and watch that’ll be taken too”.
After laughing we both kind of liked it, and after a quick search and a domain purchase, here we are. I’ve always been into candles, but I’d never paid attention to burn time or quality before, so I started researching how to make candles. I found Jeff Standley’s YouTube channel which led me to his DIY Candlemakers Facebook group, and it opened my eyes to the dynamics of making candles.
There is a lot of science and testing behind making good quality candles safely. My friends, family, and co-workers got a lot of full-sized free candles to test in the beginning lol. Once I perfected a formula that worked for me, I released my initial line in March 2020 and then the world stopped. I had to learn how to navigate being a new business owner during a time when everything was uncertain.
I had a brand-new audience, and orders were coming in, but my supplies were low, and getting replacement inventory became a creative process. I had to buy in bulk very early on due to supply shortages and learn how to make moves on a whim. I developed a lovely customer base that would help promote me on various social media platforms and that traction led to me winning Best of Gwinnett 2020 for my first year in business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been smooth at all, the pandemic changed the scope of things so much. I’ve had to rely on word of mouth to grow due to my business name having “profanity” in it. I am unable to purchase ad space on any social platforms, I’ve been told my name is niche and that I wouldn’t make it in this business because of that.
I won’t lie and say that it has been easy, but there are other businesses that have names with profanity in them and they are thriving. I hold out on that hope that I can also continue to build and grow despite the “niche” name. I love it and it makes people curious and I love that.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a one-woman operation so I do it all when it comes to the candles. They are hand poured and hand labeled along with label design. I specialize in slow-burning soy candles and will be introducing hand-dipped incense soon. I think what sets me apart are my pairings with scents and the candle’s name.
I can have a name or a scent for months or even years that doesn’t seem to fit with my current product offerings. When I create a new candle name or come across a new scent and can blend them together it just clicks in place like the last piece in a puzzle.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Be ready to pivot. We had a lot of viral moments during the pandemic that led to a new custom line I carried that was different from my signature line. “Hiding from My Kids and Bored in the House” were fan favorites that most of us could relate to at a time when everyone was home learning this new normal.
Pricing:
- 8oz Candle $14.50
- 20pc Incense Pack $10
Contact Info:
- Website: www.wicksandshit.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/wicksandshit
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/wicksandshit
- TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@wicksandshit
