We recently connected with Cristina Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Cristina, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

While I am a creative person, every job I’ve had before starting my small business was customer service related. Years of retail, work as a makeup artist, reception, and working in the admissions department of a large Entertainment and Media University here in Orlando. My customer service experience has really helped me to understand the customer’s experience. My retail experience has really helped me to build my brand, and find my niche. As well as find the right feel and aesthetic when setting up at pop up markets or setting up my space in a store. Customer service has been a huge part of every job I’ve had. Through my training and knowledge in customer service I’ve learned how to offer a great experience to my customers whether they are making a purchase online or in person. Little things like greeting someone and making them feel welcomed when they walk into your booth or store, listening with intent, eye contact, letting someone know you’ll be right with them, these may seem small to you but they make a world of difference to your customers. It’s the difference between a customer coming in to browse and a customer who makes a purchase and becomes a returning customer. For the online experience, responding to messages or emails and shipping orders in a timely fashion makes the customer gain trust in you and your business, and again, aids in them becoming a returning customer. We want to believe that our product is enough, especially in a creative field, but the customer’s experience as a whole is a big part of what helps your business grow.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Hi friends, I’m Cristina Jones, and I’m the creator and owner of Enchanted Hour Apothecary – a luxury, small batch, candle and body line. Inspired by nature, astrology, and memories. My mission is to have each Enchanted Hour Apothecary scent create a unique and special experience for my customers. When you light one of my candles I want it to transport you, either to a great memory or a moment of escape. When I create a fragrance blend I imagine the perfect scene. For example, my Forest Magick candle, when I light that candle I am taken to a beautiful forest, the morning sun peaking through the tall branches, and I can envision every dew drop on each blade of grass.
Making candles and aromatherapy products was never in the plans but it has definitely become my passion. I was a stay at home mom, also something that I never planned to be. As a mom you sometimes go through a period while your kids are small where you lose your sense of self. I love being home with them but I needed something for me. I’ve always been creative so I knew whatever I did it needed to be something where I could use my creativity. I started a list of business ideas, which included candles, and I just sat on it for a little bit. Then about 4 years ago my friend asked me if I wanted to order a candle making kit and possibly go into business together. I loved it! I dove into researching all things candle making. There is so much science behind candle making, from working with different waxes, to the fragrance oils, to wicks. So much testing is involved. I had no idea I would love that side of creating so much. My friend and I did not end up going into business together due to scheduling conflicts, life happens, but I decided to keep going with it. Now I’ve grown my business and not only make scented soy wax candles, but I now make perfumes, tinted lip balms, car diffusers, and room and linen sprays. Im excited to continue to branch out and create more skincare products as well. You can also find Enchanted Hour Apothecary in a few local shops like The Neighbors at East end market, La Boutique (also at East End), Echoes of Retro, Downtown Credo, and around town at local pop up markets.
Each product is handmade and packaged by my own hands with lots of love and care. I create soy wax candles using US grown soy wax, cotton wicks, and use non hazardous fragrance oils in all my products.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Shop small and shop local! There are lots of ways to support a small business owner or creative like following them and engaging with their posts on social media, and sharing their contact. This helps us get more eyes on our business and products. Of course the best way is to actually shop or products. Yes you can find cheap candles at big corporate stores but they are usually made with poor quality ingredients that can me damaging to your health in the long run. And when you support a small business, like my own, you are supporting someone’s dream. You’re paying for a handmade product made with good quality sage for you ingredients , passion, and time.
All while helping your local economy. So shop small, hit up you local mom and pops, and enjoy any local pop up markets.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

As a creative who has taken a hobby and turned it into a business, I would say seeing people love and enjoy my products is one of the most rewarding parts. When someone smells my candles and can’t decide which one they love more I blush. When shops contact me to restock products I almost feel shocked, like people really like what I make?! Imposter syndrome is a major challenge for a creative person seeing success, so every time I receive great reviews, messages from customers, or just have great in person experiences at pop ups it warms my heart. When my husband and kids show how proud they are of me my heart feels full.
And to be honest a very rewarding part is seeing my friends and family genuinely enjoy my products. When my friends pull out an Enchanted Hour tinted lip balm and apply it all nonchalant I feel proud. Knowing that they all buy my products because they really do like them and not because they feel obligated, it’s huge.

Contact Info:

• Website: Https://enchantedhourapothecary.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/enchantedhourapothecary?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=