We were lucky to catch up with Charittey Scott recently and have shared our conversation below.

Charittey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you share a customer success story with us?

One of my most memorable customer success stories involves a very special woman, who we’ll call Sarah. I met her at a vendor event one day, where we had a very personal conversation. Sarah was overcoming a very deep obstacle, and found that the soothing scents of our candles helped her to relax and de-stress. After purchasing a few of our candles, she decided to join our Chari Candle Club to ensure she always had a supply of her favorite fragrances.

Sarah recently shared that our subscription has been a game-changer for her. She’s able to consistently enjoy the warm and calming effects of our candles, which has significantly improved her overall mental well-being. She’s even recommended our subscription to her friends and family.

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?

I’m the founder and maker of Chari Candle Co., a small business specializing in handcrafted, eco-friendly candles. My love for candles started at a young age, and over the years, I’ve developed a passion for creating unique and inspiring fragrances.

What sets Chari Candle Co. apart is our commitment to using only the highest quality, non-toxic and plant-based ingredients. We believe that candles should not only smell wonderful but also be safe for your home and the environment. Our candles are made with a blend of coconut wax and apricot wax, which are both renewable and clean-burning alternatives to traditional paraffin wax.

We offer a variety of scents, including seasonal blends inspired by the beauty of nature and comfort. Our candles are not only beautiful but also functional, providing a warm glow and a relaxing atmosphere. Our ceramic vessels are reusable, allowing you to upcycle them as planters, containers, home decor and so much more. We also offer a candle subscription service, Chari Candle Club, which allows customers to receive a new candle each month and enjoy exclusive discounts.

I’m most proud of the positive feedback we’ve received from our customers. Many of them have shared how our candles have helped them to relax, de-stress, and create a calming atmosphere in their homes. It’s truly rewarding to know that our products are making a difference in people’s lives.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Starting Chari Candle Co. was an unexpected dream that I was determined to make a reality. I knew that I wanted to maintain full control over my business, so I decided to self-fund it. I saved up as much as I could and used my personal savings to cover the initial costs of starting the business, including purchasing materials, setting up my workspace, and launching my online store.

While self-funding can be challenging, especially when you have a team that relies on you, it’s also incredibly rewarding. It gives me the freedom to make my own decisions with the company’s best interest in mind, and allows me to focus on building my business exactly the way I envision it. It was a leap of faith, but I’m so glad I took the chance.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Chari Candle Co. started as a part-time business in 2021. I was working a full-time corporate job at the time, but candle making was so therapeutic that my goals began to shift. I started selling my candles at local vendor events and online, and the response was overwhelmingly positive. So much that it became my priority.

As my business grew, I realized that I wanted to pursue it full-time. I left my corporate job in 2023 and have been dedicated to Chari Candle Co. ever since. Some of the key milestones in my journey include expanding my team, launching Chari Candle Club, and traveling to events around the Southeast that helps us build a wider community. I also really love the Candle Making Sessions we host, that curates a relaxing, fun and creative environment for our guests to enjoy the art as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.charicandleco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ChariCandleCo
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChariCandleCo