The Grit & Grind

A year-in review:

Hey Candle Family!  First off, welcome to my Kandle Korner – where I’ll chat about all things candle-making, entrepreneurship, and whatever else gives me life.

In this first blog (aahhhh!), I wanted to share some of the background work that I’ve put into my business recently and maybe inspire a fellow entrepreneur newbie.  This past year, I took a necessary pause from solely filling orders and cranking out inventory to focus on business development in order to ultimately set my candle company up for success.

This started out as a simple IG post, but I realized it would be too long so…here we are.  When I first embarked on this journey to start my candle business, I really thought the focus

needed to be on the product…and it was at first.  Perfecting the product is a big part of entrepreneurship, but I quickly learned that there is so much more to it.  In the beginning, I kind of jumped head first into candle-making and selling before I was really even ready.   After a few bumps & bruises, I realized that I needed to backtrack and take time to complete the business planning steps I initially skipped.  I know Khai Kandles can (and will) be great, thanks to the overwhelming support I get from friends & family, but if I want to extend my reach and scale the business, I will need to put in some real work.  And while I am ok with taking baby steps right now, I’m also determined to soar.

Throughout the first year, I had so many ideas floating around in my head.  Every week there was some new thing I wanted to implement or accomplish (you should see the list of notes in my phone!).  Then when the pandemic hit, there were no more in-person vending opportunities, the orders slowed down, and I needed to start thinking about how to get my name out there. On top of that, I wasn’t content with my website, I didn’t love my product photos, I needed to figure out how to bring in more traffic, and I needed better business processes.   So I decided to roll up my sleeves, iron out some of these kinks, and knock some things off this growing “TTD” list. 

I thought my days (more like long nights) of homework were LONG gone after college, but naaahhhh!  This past year (my 2nd year in business), I may have actually spent more time in front of my computer screen “doing homework” than I did in my candle space.  I spent hours taking online business classes, researching all sorts of things, and working on my business plan.  This meant less time promoting, but more time creating & perfecting my content.  I came across so much useful information and many helpful resources.  Some of the online services that I took advantage of over the past few months include: 

• Google Analytics 101 – Improve your Online Business (SCORE Charlotte)
• Grow with Google – Make your Website Work for You  (SCORE Charlotte)
• Business Design Bootcamp (SistahBiz)
• Product Launch Bootcamp (SistahBiz)
• Tax Basic for the Business Owner  (SCORE Charlotte)

These were all FREE and every single one was worth it – so if you are an entrepreneur or are getting ready to launch a business, be proactive about finding things that might help you.  There are some really great online resources (no matter what entrepreneurial phase you are in) – some were recommended to me and some I simply stumbled upon while googling. Whether it is an hour long webinar, a weekly bootcamp, a monthly networking event, or a 20 minute how-to video  – it’s worth it to do the work (in my Iyanla voice).  Aside from the structured seminars, I also spent a lot of time watching YouTube videos & scrolling through Pinterest.  I’m naturally inquisitive so when my brain starts going it does not stop…I Google EVERY & ANYTHING.  I spend many nights laying in bed swiping through how-to videos, reading tips & tricks articles, and looking at inspirational photos.  I researched all sorts of topics, including how to trademark a business name, how to set up a vending/display table, and how to take the perfect product photos with an iphone. 

The bottom line is, business development is an ongoing process and it is just as (if not more) important as making and selling the perfect product. Here are some quick strategies I use for business planning:

• Jot down all ideas as they come and revisit with more detail when ready 
• Break tasks up into stages as needed and check things off the list when complete
• Put in extra work on days I feel productive (and allow for brain rests on unproductive days)
• Lean on the experts and trusted business buddies by subscribing to YouTube channels & following on social media
• Schedule business brainstorm/action/accountability/collaboration sessions with my entrepreneur friends

I realize that entrepreneurial success is not an overnight thing.  Shoutout to all of my entrepreneur role models that told me I didn’t have to be perfect and that always motivate me to keep going.  I will continue to seek out learning opportunities and beneficial business sessions (especially the free ones!).  There’s always a gem to take away or a business connection that can be made.  I already have 5 more FREE online business sessions scheduled over the next month! I even registered to attend a startup assistance course related to starting & designing a business just to make sure I’m on track & completed all necessary steps to move forward. 

While I still have SO many things I want to do, I feel like I’ve come a long way in just a year and I’ve made many small, yet impactful, improvements.  I can actually see my business development actions reflected in the look (and smell!) of my products.  I get more and more confident wearing my entrepreneurial hat when I read/hear feedback about the things I sell and post. I was overwhelmed by the positive comments I received on my table setup and how smoothly everything went (from set up to selling to packing up) at my most recent vending events.  I have made so much progress already I can only imagine where I’ll be if I continue on this learning-growing path.  

As much as I love vibing out in my candle space making yummy products, taking a step back to focus on setting up the foundation of my business was very necessary.  I will not be able to accomplish any of my remaining goals without taking the time to develop areas that need it.  As far as how I manage all things entrepreneurship along with being a mom (with 50 other jobs)…that’s another story/blog for another day!  Until then, head over to www.khaikandles.com/shop to grab some scented candles or wax melts to give yourself a boost and bring your space to life.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my very first blog – feel free to share your thoughts below.  If you are a business owner, drop some entrepreneurial advice or helpful business prep tips.  First 5 comments will receive a 5% discount on next order. 

Business Shout-out: (side note – I even googled some tips on “how to write a business shoutout” lol)

Many thanks to my good friend (and business buddy) T’helah @ The Kefar (https://www.thekefar.com/).  She is a language educator, coach & consultant – and she knows her stuff, ya’ll! Not only is she my peer & my go-to for all things Hebrew, I also view her as a business mentor.  I appreciate her for being a consistent supporter & customer of mine and for always answering my weird, random business (and Hebrew) questions. There are so many benefits to learning a new language, so check out thekefar.com and sign you or your kids up for a Hebrew class or two.  She also has many free resources available for download!