Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary McCurley. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Mary, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
Taking the risk was quitting a 9-5 job to become a full time entrepreneur. I wanted to put all of my time and creativity into my business on my own time. I have worked for someone else since i was 15 years old, always feeling stuck at the bottom. I wanted to be my own boss because working so hard for so long for someone else I have earned that right. I had a goal of filling up my date book with Candle Parties, vendors fairs, and pop-up shops at various locations all while supporting local establishments. I have met a lot of people and made many connections. The risk has been a blessing in many ways, but has also made me realize that i needed a second job. Living is as expensive as it is beautiful.
Mary, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I started out creating candles as Christmas gifts for family and friends in 2020 and fell in love with the process. Since then i have been successfully selling pre-made and customized candles online and in local fairs. I also create other products such as customized pillow sprays and perfume oils. Using mostly all natural based products such as homemade Moon Water, USA soy wax and jojoba oils. My love of movies, books and video games have shaped the themes of my products. I strive to create the perfect scented products for all to enjoy. I also love supporting local establishment in collaborating in hosting Candle Parties at their establishments. This supports not only myself but other local businesses around CT. Small business owners have to stick together to make big changes in this world!
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
What has helped build my reputation within my business is my strong customer service skills. I have been in customer service for 15 years and have dealt with a wide range of people. This has shaped how I treat patrons at my events, deal with customers in person or virtually and also with booking events. I am strongly confident in my personality and capability to treat everyone with kindness and respect. I love to laugh with my customers and also give them knowledge of my products and how i started. I am very supportive of other aspiring entrepreneurs even in the same field. We all should work together to build each other up so everyone can succeed. I am a huge supporter of creativity and i recommend that to everyone i meet. People should never give up on their creativity no matter how big or how small it seems. So my personality with people has definitely shaped the reputation and growth of my business.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I have had many different kinds of experiences in my life. Between the different types of relationships i have had or types of jobs, i have learned many things.The main thing I have learned is self love. Self love is the key to success, and if you do not have this beautiful thing than you have nothing. I have built myself up so far that i will not allow myself to give up when times are tough. Having a candle business has its upsides as well as downs, which any vendor will tell you this. There are slow months and high volume months within the entire year. Slower months are where you question yourself and business. But when you have self love and respect for yourself, you tell yourself to not quit, because good things are coming. I do not need a brick and moroder location to succeed in my business. I love what i do and how i do it. And coming from the darkness of my past to the amazing light i see now has been one incredible journey. Believe in yourself and you will soar with the eagles!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/mmoonchildscentedcreations
- Facebook: facebook.com/mmoonchildscentedcreations
- Other: etsy; https://etsy.me/3E5aC7X