We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Camia McMiller. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Camia below.

Camia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Starting two years ago, I had no clue what went into running your own business, I thought it would be as easy as opening a few social media accounts and claiming a name as your own. Well, I did exactly that. Early in production, I started off with using kits from Hobby Lobby, which isn’t a totally bad idea for those who are new to candle making. It was just a fun hobby that stuck with me until I realized how much of a passion I truly had for candle making. At the time, I spent way more than I should’ve and purchased things I didn’t need, at the time, it didn’t cross my mind that I would need to curate my own line of scents or stick with a certain brand image, I was just having fun with what I was doing.

Within the first few months, my biggest customers were close family and friends. Annually, I host a Halloween giveaway which gave me the boost that I needed. My customer base began to grow and I started to become known worldwide. From there, I took things a lot more seriously and began the process of developing my brand’s image. Which by the way, doesn’t need to be an insanely fast process. What I find helps me is to envision my brand as a person, what is she wearing? what colors does she like? these things can take can months to curate, and you won’t regret it once you take the time to lay out all of the fine details.

After what felt like centuries of trying new things, in 2023 the ball began to finally roll for me. I was able to personally design fragrances for each new collection, have fun with marketing, and make new friends along the way. We attended vendor markets and so much more. I can’t wait to see what the next year has in store for me.

Camia, 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?

Originating as a hobby, blossomed into a passion that has now become my primary income source. I have always had an interest in interior design since I was around 12, I began this hobby by creating mood boards online and sharing them; after going down a few different paths within the creator’s community in interior decorating, and being able to find my way, personally and business-wise, I’ve created 100% soy wax & wooden wick candles, each one ensuring a clean and health-conscious burn.

Here, we prioritize aesthetics, my main purpose is to design an elegant candle that is not only beautifully scented but also visually stunning in any home. A feature within our candles is the shimmer that unfolds as they burn, casting a dreamy ambiance that fills the room. We take pride in our eco-friendly values and attention to detail.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Growing a business can be tough, especially if you’re not into social media and marketing. Connecting with your community is super important; In my honest opinion, you can’t go wrong with supporting makers around you, when first starting, I always made sure to build friendships with people in fields similar to mine, networking and knowing the right people is helpful when starting your business and branching out to others worldwide.

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

To us, customers’ trust is what’s always most important, we ensure that we stay in touch with our supporters and let them know that their experience is our priority. We accomplish this by allowing them to voice their concerns, responding to emails, and taking the time to listen and change things based on their feedback. This allows them to see Camia Rhea as a friendly place they can come to, and not just another corporation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.camiarhea.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/camiarhea/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC27nlcOYjX35UkgK7xQeikw