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

Debra, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Hello, my name is Debbie Donegan and I have been a teacher for 26 years, specifically 20 years at the East Stroudsburg Area High School North. I also own a small business named Nanny Arlene’s Candles and More which was named after my mother, Arlene Anderson, who passed away from breast cancer in 2019. I began this business after trying to find products for my mom during her treatments that were organic and affordable and did not have success. My mother was a very special person. She was tenacious, hardworking, was passionate in all that she did, and always wanted what was best for others. However, she also always told people how it was, told the truth when asked a question and gave her honest opinion (no matter how hard it was to hear). But the best part of my mother was that she was the most caring person in the world. She would literally give the shirt off her back to anyone who needed it. I strive to make the best products possible at a price everyone can afford. Although people tell me I am doing an injustice to myself for having such low prices, I see it the total opposite and it is what my mother would have wanted.

Debra, 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 produce 100% soy candles, which offer significant benefits for both the environment and customer health. Additionally, I create a range of organic personal care products, including body oils, yoni spray, green tea and matcha lotion, various soaps, whipped soap, magnesium products, perfume and cologne dupes, body butter, lip balms, face oil, lip gloss, tooth powder, car diffusers, and upholstery and carpet deodorizers. I also offer hair oil to a select clientele, designed to promote hair growth in a natural and healthy manner.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

This is an interesting question. I began by making candles, and initially, they weren’t very successful. It took several months of trial and error to develop the optimal formulas. During this period, I was incurring losses but gaining invaluable knowledge. Once I perfected candle-making, I expanded to room sprays and lip balms. The revenue from these products helped me recover some of my initial losses and allowed me to expand my business to include a wider range of products, particularly those that my mother needed during her treatments.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I must admit, I’m much more comfortable in front of a classroom than in front of a camera. I began promoting my products on a Facebook page, and then moved to Instagram, where I initially only posted pictures of the products, not of myself. Eventually, I opened a TikTok account and continued this approach. It wasn’t until I perfected my Yoni spray that I made a video featuring myself, and I was extremely nervous. Since then, my followers have increased across all my social media platforms. As a result, a local business, Dale’s Bistro, invited me to stock some of my products in their store. I am incredibly grateful to them for this opportunity—it has been amazing!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nannyarlenescandles.myshopify.com
• Instagram: @nannyarlenescandles
• Facebook: Nanny Arlene’s Candles
• Other: TikTok @nannyarlenescandles