We were lucky to catch up with Amber Carroll recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Amber thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

When I decided I was going to start a candle business, I had no idea what I was doing. I bought a couple of candle making kits and got to work. My first candles were not so great, but I kept at it. I carried my samples with me everywhere I went. I’d ask family and friends to smell them. I’d ask their opinions and invited them to preorder. My first orders were my aunt Janice and my cousin Kendall. I remember being so proud that they were competing to be my first customer. It gave me a sense of pride to know that I created something that people wanted to purchase.

Amber, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I created Crafted by Carroll during COVID. I was struggling with depression and anxiety and I used candle making as a form of therapy. I had always found candles to be relaxing. I would often go to a store to find my favorite scents and they’d be sold out. I decided that I would make my own candles so that I could have them whenever I wanted. I also facilitate candle making classes. My goal is to help others heal through candle making therapy. That is my goal and it is what I’m most proud of. Each scent is named after a person, place or thing that helped me through depression. I just want to share them with the world. I want everyone to know that depression and anxiety do not define you and just because you experience these emotions, that doesn’t mean you have to stay there. You will get out!

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

My business has a loyalty program. Every time a customer makes a purchase, refer a friend who makes a purchase, leaves a review or sign up for a subscription, they can receive points towards merchandise. I also have automatic emails set up after a customer makes a purchase requesting a review. I also send emails periodically and blog posts to alert subscribers of events and news.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

I make all of my products by hand in my basement. I first began using soy wax and then switched to coco soy. I watched YouTube videos and purchased books. I liked the way coco soy burned and left a smooth surface unlike the soy wax I had used previously. I changed my containers a couple of times. I had to have a couple of vendors for my containers because my vendor would often sell out. I made a list and always had two or three back ups. This wasn’t always the case. It took me selling out of candles and containers and my vendor being sold out for me to come to this realization. I’d encourage every entrepreneur to establish relationships with multiple vendors for this very reason.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.craftedbycarroll.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crafted_by_carroll_/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/AmberCarroll2020/

Image Credits

Marcie Hill