Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in candle-making but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Kristin Boyd, Owner of Vim + Vigor Candle Co., located in Phoenix, AZ, USA.

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

At Vim + Vigor Candle Co, we handcraft natural soy wax candles poured in 100% pure copper, natural wood, and stainless steel candle vessels that you can reuse after the candle burns. We develop all of our fragrance combinations in-house and strive to create scents that our customers will love and connect with. We sell our products online through our website and also wholesale our products to boutiques, spas, resorts, and gift shops across the country.

Tell us about yourself

I started making candles in 2016 after a weekend project to salvage the unused wax in over a dozen expensive candles I had purchased and burned. That project sparked my mission to create high-quality candles that would burn cleanly and evenly down to the last drop of wax. I took that mission a step further by choosing candle vessels that customers could easily repurpose after the candle burned, so nothing went to waste. It has been 6+ years since I finalized that candle recipe, and we have been making the same high-quality candles ever since. At Vim + Vigor Candle Co, we pride ourselves on crafting all of our products by hand with love and intention. We don't cut corners regardless of how difficult that can be at times. It is what sets us apart from the competition, and we care too much to make compromises when it comes to quality. Our name, Vim + Vigor Candle Co, was inspired by my grandfather, who would always tell me to "proceed with Vim and Vigor," meaning to persevere and proceed with passion no matter what obstacles I may face along the way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner was buying our own building for production in June 2021. Not only was it a game-changer to have more than enough space for our business to grow, but it was also a very proud moment for me as a business owner. It was the ultimate way to celebrate our ability to pivot quickly during COVID to not just maintain but also grow our business in such a challenging environment. I like to think that we proceeded with Vim and vigor and came out the other side stronger and more motivated than ever.

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

For me, one of the hardest parts of being a business owner is juggling all the hats that come along with the title and switching roles quickly and frequently without losing sight of the overall goal we are working towards. In a single day, I need to be creative to come up with new, unique products or scents, I need to be the accountant and balance our books, I need to be a manager and support my team while delegating tasks, and I need to be the inventory manager and make sure we have the supplies we need before we need them, and I need to be myself. It is a lot to juggle, and some days are harder than others, but at the end of the day, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

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

The top 3 tips I would give to anyone looking to start, run, and grow a business are... One, don't wait! You don't need a large investment to start your business; you can start small and work within your budget. I started this business with maybe $100 for wicks, wax, and a few fragrance oils to play with. It is so easy to come up with a million reasons to wait, but if you really want it, then start now and trust that you will make it work because it's yours. Two, fake it till you make it. I have always operated on "Yes" no matter what people ask us to make the answer is almost always "yes," and then I figure out how to do it. This leads me to tip number 3...Trust yourself. Trust that you can do this! Trust that you are ready, willing, and able to do anything and everything to make your business work. If you believe you can do it and believe in what you are doing, that trust and confidence will be reflected in your business, and people will respond accordingly.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://vimandvigorcandleco.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vimandvigorcandleco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vimvigor_candleco/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-boyd-1027ab30/

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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