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

Alright, Cap thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I feel that in business your family and friends should be the first of your supporters. But what I actually find happening is that stranger support you more than your own. For example you might find that people close to you will constantly post on their social media things that celebrities are doing but you may be doing similar things and they never repost any of your work. You may even find people close to you asking for discounts when they would not do that otherwise, it becomes disheartening especially when they know everything that it’s taking for you to get to where you are in business. What I can say is that Community will find you and as long as you are fine with having people support you from Far distances instead of in your own backyard you’ll be just fine.

Cap, 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 am a chandler *candle maker of 21 years. I have a niche group of making realistic food/dessert themed candles. I have over 1pp different food related creations. Some of my most popular are chicken & waffles, peach, and banana split. I have a stand located in the Columbia Mall in Maryland, where I am here 7 days a weeks. In addition to candles I also make soap, melts, lotions and oils for the skin. I am most proud of staying focused and continuing to make my business goals an reality. What sets me a part is my experience, my small batches created by me only, my huge variety of fragrances and options. I also offer private label and wholesale.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Leaving a job in human resources to turn a hobby into a career has been the most exhilarating/resilient things I have done. In theaw times in which I have really found out what I’m truly made of. Launching this 7 day a week business and having virtually a handful of people that I could depend on has been challenging. Operating a business out of my house and then jumping into retail in a busy mall has put me in the faces of many people that might not know me otherwise. In saying that keeping up with supply and demand has been most challenging. Even after having a very successful end of the year bouncing back after the holiday season into a very slow paced New Year has really been a testament on how businesses Thrive or fail depending on how you react to your current circumstances. Even and owning your own business you still have to have multiple streams of income to make sure to keep your business afloat in those not so busy times. And rebranding and keeping yourself relevant among the many pool of candle makers I am still standing strong and constantly challenging myself to become better.

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

A lesson that I had to unlearn is that you can’t always depends on people no matter what you have done for them to support you in this same way that you have supported them. You might be the type of person who is a giver but you have to learn your limitations because takers don’t have any. I was constantly pouring into other people but yet nobody ever filled my cup. I would be spreading myself so very thin to be accommodating and then when it was time for reciprocity it was never equal. At that moment I knew I had to depend on me and not to put people on pedestals because ultimately they would let you down. So I began to dig deeper within myself and pull on my own strength and not feed my weaknesses. The road has been interesting It is has is bumps and bruises but without those things I wouldn’t be who I am today.

Contact Info:

• Website: Candelicioso.com
• Instagram: Candelicioso2018
• Facebook: Candelicioso