We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jenny Taylor a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jenny, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.
I started making my own candles in 2020 (like many who were looking for crafts to do during COVID) when someone gave me a beautiful bottle of wine that I wanted to regift as a candle. I purchased glass cutting and candle making supplies online and had so much fun. I started making candles for several friends and family. Someone asked if I wanted to do a market with them and I thought it would be a fun opportunity to share my love of the craft. While at the market, a business owner asked if I could teach classes at their location on how to make candles. That turned in to the business that it is today! I realized not only do I love the art therapy I get while creating candles, but I also love educating and sharing the craft with others in a teaching environment.
Jenny, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Island Candles is a locally women-owned and operated business in Charleston, South Carolina. I have a passion for allergy-friendly sustainable, clean burning, handmade, small batch candles. So many candles in the market today are not great for your health to burn (whether it be the synthetic waxes or scents added).
I’ve learned so much in my journey of candle making and love sharing my passion with others in a fun, party-like class setting. We not only sell our hypo-allergenic candles all around Charleston, but we also have pop-up classes (a few each week) where people can attend and learn how to make their own hypo-allergenic and clean-burning candles in their own homes. I enjoy the energy and fun that we all have during these classes. Island Candles also specializes in private events such as birthday parties, bachelorettes, holiday parties and more! Book your private class with us today by emailing islandcandleschs@yahoo.com or through our contact page on our website www.islandcandleschs.com.
Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?
Margaret Wilkerson is an awesome partner in this business. She started with Island Candles a few months ago and has been a wonderful addition to our candle-loving family. I was so thankful that another local woman-owned business in Charleston saw our “help wanted” post and encouraged her to apply. She’s a fun, energetic and positive employee that makes our parties and events even more fun!
Where do you think you get most of your clients from?
We are still working on this to grow our clientele, but our best source has been partnerships with other local businesses, participating in community events and becoming members of business partnership organizations like Lowcountry Local First (LLF). We have tried several different paid marketing/advertising strategies, but haven’t yet found the right mix. We love the free event calendars that Holy City Sinners, CHS Today & Charleston City Paper offers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://islandcandleschs.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/islandcandleschs?igsh=MXJ3M2d2bjJmYzhkaw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082791430872&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmtaylor3?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/aDw8Rw3wjtAUwksm7?g_st=ic
