Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jon Kornbluh, Founder, and Owner of Bluecorn Beeswax, located in Montrose, CO, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Bluecorn is a beeswax candle company dedicated to simplicity. For us, that means using pure, simple ingredients to build a product that helps us live richer, more connected lives. It's important to know, however, that underlying our sweet, simple candles is a complex process requiring unwavering attention to detail and, ultimately, a high level of craftsmanship.

In this way, we emulate the bees that bless us with all of their remarkable gifts. Their journey carries them across countless miles finding flowers, collecting pollen, and making wax — the building block of their exquisite homes. A small fraction of that wax is sustainably harvested, allowing the bees and beekeepers to thrive.

Our journey begins with sourcing only the finest of this beeswax, then lightly filtering it to remove particulates while leaving the sweet scent and vibrant color intact. Then, we painstakingly test burn every batch and carefully choose the right wick to ensure a perfect burn. Yes, we keep it simple, but we work really hard at it.

Our customers are folks that care about filling their lives and homes with beautiful, hand-crafted, healthy products. They are people that savor the moment and cherish connecting with their tribe. Bluecorn gives them the tools to do just that.

Tell us about yourself

In 1991 I was a hippy ski bum living in a tiny off-grid cabin in Telluride, Colorado. The kerosene lanterns I used for light were giving me headaches, so I started dipping beeswax taper candles as an alternative. I sold some of the extra candles from that very first batch, and I was hooked. The raw material (beeswax) was magical in every way, the candle-making process was captivating, and I loved the commerce part of it - I dove right into making it a business.

What motivates me each day? Well, in short, I still love the commerce aspect, and I appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with staff and third-party professionals. From product development to packaging design to fulfillment operations - I love the challenge of providing a product that is relevant to peoples' lives. I also enjoy providing meaningful work and a vibrant, healthy environment for our employees.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment is definitely that Bluecorn is still a thriving business after 31 years. There are so many ways for a business to fail, and we have overcome many of them. I am very proud of the fact that we have been able to persevere as a company for so many years - that's no small feat as a domestic manufacturer.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

That depends on the size of the business. In my case, being the owner of a small company meant that I had to be competent in so many varied skills, from candle production to sales and marketing to human resources, etc. As the company has grown, it has become easier to be a business owner because I can hire experts in those fields, and together we share the load. I love to collaborate with smart people, and business growth allows for more of that.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Write a business plan and consistently revisit that plan for viability and relevance.
  2. Engage experienced business people as consultants, board members, etc. make sure you are not functioning in a vacuum.
  3. Take some business courses to learn about the nuts and bolts of running a business and to attain some of the basic accounting skills necessary to understand the money side of things.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

We just opened our flagship cafe & mercantile in Montrose, Colorado. If you're ever in the area, come by and visit us -- we designed the space with a glass wall so folks can see our craft candle-making process in person.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.beeswaxcandles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bluecornbeeswax
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bluecornbeeswax/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BluecornBeeswax

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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