We were lucky to catch up with Kerriann Hammock recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kerriann, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

As a woman, mother, and entrepreneur I was trying to determine the right path for how to get exposure to my business, Violette Eve Candle Co. When considering the options available, I found the organizations available, though wonderful in their own respect, did not speak to me as an individual. This is when I decided to get some of my friends together and start the Unruly Women Collective. An organization that inspires women through collaboration, compassion, and community. It gives business owners who are trying to balance life as women and some as mothers with following their passion. It gave me the opportunity to feel like I was on a team where normally a small business owner would be paving their path alone.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

After years of corporate sales leadership, I transformed my hobby of candle making into a business. Using natural soy wax, essential oils, and non-toxic fragrance oils, I’ve been able to see my personal mission of having a non-harmful home for my children become a gift that I can bring to others as well.

The Unruly Women Collective was founded because I struggled to get into events and local markets as a new maker with my business, Violette Eve Candle Co. I decided to throw my own events to pave a path for myself and other women who faced the same challenges. I quickly enlisted some friends’ help to make my vision a reality. Together, we found a need for community among businesswomen, looking to collaborate with fellow entrepreneurs. We’ve built relationships with several top-tier women-owned businesses that have done one, some, or all of our events. Businesses such as House of Branding, Triangle Twirl, BoFEMME, Querencia Creative, and so many more. We believe in partnering with the best of the best, along with new brands to leverage one another’s skills to grow as a whole. Beyond that, we’ve found a need for community amongst career-women, stay at home moms, retirees, and really anyone looking to build their sense of support and friendship. Through these collaborative efforts, we’ve made it a point to highlight local charities by donating a portion of proceeds to their organizations, like InterAct of Wake County, Shine Like Hailey, and the No Woman No Girl Initiative.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The most significant pivot for me was motherhood. After 15+ years as a corporate sales leader, I had to merge my new identity with my old and it was incredibly difficult. I spent years contracting myself out as a consultant to find balance with the new demands of motherhood, but the “mom guilt” was still unmanageable. It was not until I started my hobby of candle making and turned that into a business that I finally enjoyed what I was doing and never felt guilty or sad that I was not with my children. I felt comfortable knowing I was pursuing my passions and doing something that would create the best version of their mother possible for them to enjoy. I also named the business after my daughter, Violette, so she’s always with me in some sense.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

The best way to build your reputation is to be a good person. No marketing machine could replace the impact of word of mouth. With Violette Eve Candle Co and Unruly Women Collective, I am strongly rooted in the desire to support other people striving to achieve their goals. Both brands have mission statements that are principled in the idea of living the healthiest life possible. Following your dreams, doing good, and rooting for others – and if you subscribe to this truly and genuinely, the good you do will come back to you. Collaboration without ego will always outperform unhealthy competitive environments.

Contact Info:

• Website: unrulywomencollective.com violetteve.com
• Instagram: @violetteveco @unrulywomencollective
• Facebook: @violetteveco @unrulywomencollective
• Linkedin: /kerriannforester

Image Credits

All photography provided by Querencia Creative.