We were lucky to catch up with Veronica Salazar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Veronica, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
I started in the candle-making ind ustry working for someone else. During that time, I gained extensive knowledge about the different types of wax and developed such expertise that I became the designer for the company’s new collections. I worked there for eighteen years. After relocating to another state, it became difficult to work outside the home since I had a young child. That’s when I decided to start my own business and leverage my candle-making expertise to my advantage.
I wanted to catch up by taking courses to see what was trending, and that’s when I decided to start working with new elements. I’ve been in continuous learning, listening to suggestions, preferences, and requests from some customers, which has greatly helped me stay in the favor of those who appreciate my work. Working with certain types of wax is challenging, and achieving a good product requires numerous tests until I reach the result I’m aiming for. However, all of this helps me gain more knowledge about what I do.
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?
I am a homemaker who divides her time between family, home, and a deep passion for candle-making. My inspiration varies with the seasons. I love each time of the year because it allows me to create my beautiful designs.
When I enter my workshop, it feels like stepping into another world where it’s just me and my thoughts. Inspiration comes and fills me with a deep desire for my creations to not only be visually pleasing but also to infuse spaces with light and tranquility.
I have received only a couple of complaints so far, which I have been able to address effectively. It’s always important to remind people not to leave a candle unattended while it’s burning. In the end, my customers are satisfied, as I always try to replace the product or exchange it for another of their choice, thereby maintaining good customer relations.
I am personally responsible for everything in my business, which allows me to get to know the people who purchase my products more closely. This gives me the advantage of building stronger relationships with my customers and better understanding of their needs.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
I have a goal in mind: to establish my brand at a level where it is recognized both nationally and internationally.
I would like to grow in order to create jobs for women, especially mothers who, like me, have the desire to move forward and be more than just homemakers, but creators of beautiful products.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.
It all started when I arrived in this country at eighteen, with empty pockets but a soul full of the desire to achieve something great. As an immigrant, I have had to deal with many limitations, starting with the language barrier and continuing with the fact that many people believe that coming from another country, or your skin color and appearance, makes you insufficient.
There was one person in particular who told me that I should stop making candles and give up my dream of having a business, simply because they saw me as competition. Yes, at first it made me want to give up everything. But then someone told me, “No one can stop you unless you let them.”
And here I am, striving to reach more people with my products every day. I wake up with the determination to see this grow, and I know I will achieve it.
Okay, it might not be me who sees it, but someday my children might see that Fireflora Candles will be a company that provides employment to many people and is known for the quality of its products.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.fireflorecandles.com
- Instagram: Firefloracandles
- Facebook: Fireflora Candles
