We were lucky to catch up with Adriane Mazique recently and have shared our conversation below.

Adriane, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. One of the toughest things about progressing in your creative career is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

My small business journey began on September 18, 2020 when I lost my job of 10 years due to a bogus complaint from an irate business owner I filed a complaint against with the BBB. I was a government employee and she knew this so she filed a complaint against me for writing bad reviews and reporting her to the BBB, Nonetheless I didn’t know what I was going to do, so I prayed and Candles By Mazique was born. However as I was just getting started Covid-19 hit and had the world in a frenzy!! So I had to adapt and adjust to a new way of life through Covid-19. Shipping was crazy!! Supplies were scarce and money was tight! But through it all I still prevailed. I was determined to get my small business off the ground and be successful, so I pushed through. And because of that determination, prayers and luck! Candles By Mazique is still pushing through one year and nine months later.

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?

My first objective is to create a product that my customers will be satisfied with. I also will make sure my products are affordable, so that the customers will be returnable customers and refer a friend. I also will make sure my candles are environmental friendly by offering a 100% all natural handmade VEGAN candle.

My target audience is for anyone that loves their home to smell good and wants a toxic free environment. I think by offering a 100% all natural candle will be good for the environment and great for my Vegan lovers. I think by not adding any preservatives or additives to my candles it will give my customers a cleaner burn and a more powerful scent, which is what every candle lover wants a great smelling candle.

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

My small business journey began on September 18, 2020 when I lost my job of 10 years due to a bogus complaint from an irate business owner I filed a complaint against with the BBB. I was a government employee and she knew this so she filed a complaint against me for writing bad reviews and reporting her to the BBB, Nonetheless I didn’t know what I was going to do, so I prayed and Candles By Mazique was born. However as I was just getting started Covid-19 hit and had the world in a frenzy!! So I had to adapt and adjust to a new way of life through Covid-19. Shipping was crazy!! Supplies were scarce and money was tight! But through it all I still prevailed. I was determined to get my small business off the ground and be successful, so I pushed through. And because of that determination, prayers and luck! Candles By Mazique is still pushing through one year and nine months later.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being a creative artist. My candle business offers 100% All Natural Handmade vegan candles. Every candle is handmade with Love and Humbleness. Every pour, every stir and every ounce of high-quality fragrance is made with my customers in mind. And because of that my candles are Amazing! You will never find a uniquely crafted candle like mine, I guarantee that! I take pride in my business because I know my business is a representation of me and my name, literally my name. And anything that I put my name on I have to be proud of.

My biggest accomplishment is to still be in business through all the uncertainties one year and nine months later and January 30, 2023 I signed a lease effective February 1, I will be opening a store front in a local Market Place nearby. The sky’s the limit for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.candlesbymazique.com
• Instagram: @candlesbymazique
• Facebook: Candles By Mazique
• Other: Grow Desoto Market 324 Beltline Rd., suite 608 Desoto, Texas 75115

Image Credits
Alexis Duncan