Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Harris.
Nicole, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I started making candles during my senior year at the University of Maryland- Eastern Shore. The intensity of matriculation began to weigh on me insomuch that I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. The only thing that I felt safe about connecting with was creativity. I scrolled through Pinterest and was struck by the idea of candle making. Initially, I experimented with soy wax, but after more research, I found that beeswax candles have an abundance of health benefits; like the fact that they ease asthma and allergy symptoms and anxiety. As a connoisseur of homeopathic remedies, I thought, why not give this a try for easing my allergies and anxiety. After creating my first batch of candles, I fell in love with the process and results. The beeswax had such a warm and romantic natural fragrance and it neutralized the air in my home. Three batches later, I decided to share my craft with others. I lugged boxes of candles to and from class and sold my products to professors and administrators. I received a lot of positive feedback from professors, administrators, family, and friends, so I decided to start my Etsy shop. Unfortunately, that year, I had zero sales on Etsy, thus most of the business was a result of word of mouth.
Post-graduation, I moved to South Florida, was a paralegal for corporate law firms, and stopped candle making. However, a strong sense of unfulfillment set in which motivated me to refocus on my craft. In October 2019, I decided to establish Mind Your Own Beeswax LLC and sell candles part-time at weekend vending events, because I was still a full-time paralegal. However, in April 2020, I was furloughed due to the pandemic. During the beginning of quarantine, I focused on rebranding and refining my candle formula. Since then, my shop has become a best seller on Etsy, I continuously sellout at vending events in Atlanta and South Florida, I’m currently wholesaling to five stores in Florida, and I’ve regained my sense of fulfillment.
Great, 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 biggest struggle in establishing my business has been choosing my career path. As a college graduate and paralegal specialist, I labored for the fruits of academia as my intention was to go to law school and settle as a corporate lawyer. However, the reality is, candle making brings me a lot of joy. Although the law is still a passion, I want to focus on the success of Mind Your Own Beeswax. Candle making soothes my soul and it brings me so much pleasure to know that my candles serve a medicinal purpose.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Mind Your Own Beeswax LLC is a small business that curates scented sustainable non-toxic beeswax candles. Beeswax is a natural air purifier because when burned it releases negative ions into the atmosphere and binds to positive ions. Beeswax candles are progressive products because they’re sustainable, non-toxic, and medicinal as they weigh down airborne bacteria. Considering the current health crisis, consumers are spending more time indoors and gravitating to innovative and economical ways of keeping their immune systems strong. Mind Your Own Beeswax provides all of the above by focusing on the consumers’ need for health and indulgence while on a budget. Moreover, information is circulating about the toxic nature of paraffin wax candles as they emit toluene and benzene, which are carcinogens (cancer-causing agents). Soy wax candles are a popular go-to, however, soy can emit high levels of estrogen. Furthermore, the reality is, indoor pollution accounted for 1.6 million premature deaths in 2017, asthma affects more than 24 million people in the U.S., including more than 6 million children, and more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year. Mind Your Own Beeswax provides an eco-friendly and non-toxic candle alternative for the conscious consumer.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I define success as the alignment of personal values with service to humanity. Integrity is at the core of my values and social justice and environmentalism are critical factors in my service to humanity. Therefore, my success is aligned with the refinement of those elements which are bound to reengineer the zeitgeist of society.
Pricing:
- 8 oz. beeswax candles are $25 on www.Etsy.com/shop/myobllc with free US shipping.
- 4 oz. beeswax candles are $13 on www.Etsy.com/shop/myobllc with free US shipping.
- Self-care packages (1-4 oz., 1-8 oz., 1-himilayan salt lamp with 3 tea-lights, and grow kit) are $65 on www.Etsy.com/shop/myobllc with free US shipping.
- Fall collection will drop Oct. 5th on Etsy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.Etsy.com/shop/myobllc; www.mindyourownbeeswaxllc.com
- Email: myobeeswaxllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: MindYourOwnBeeswaxLLC
- Facebook: MindYourOwnBeeswaxLLC
Image Credit:
MONTYANGELO PRODUCTIONS
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