We were lucky to catch up with Leslie M recently and have shared our conversation below.

Leslie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Taking risks is never easy– the greatest risk I have ever taken is starting this business– with no way of knowing what will become of it. As the first person in my family to start a business, I was unaware of where to begin and what to do to get this business running. There is still much room for growth for both myself and Sunsets Co.– I have faith that everything will come to be with hard work and dedication.

Leslie, 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?

The idea of Sunsets Co. was a fleeting thought in 2017– having recently graduated from high school and having no motivation while working various jobs (i.e., janitor, retail) that just made ends meet. I began making earrings for a short time as a means of distraction, and while it was fun, I wasn’t passionate about it. In 2018, my fascination for candles came to be– the process and the creativity needed to construct a candle were intriguing. After two years of trial and error, with constant testing and finding the right products and suppliers, everything was set to begin in 2020. Sunsets Co. was no longer a fleeting thought– it became my new reality– from candles to handmade goods– we look forward to what will come next.

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

I have learned that building a following can be difficult; however, I noticed that being consistent is key– creating videos on Instagram, showing behind the scenes, having interactions with supporters, and being active on your page have helped and can further spread the word about your products. I enjoy engaging with my followers and showcasing current projects and my favorite items of the day. I also participate in markets where I meet people with similar objectives and converse with customers who will spread the word about Sunsets Co.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

There are pros and cons to e-commerce– especially when your products are candles that can break or melt during transit– which is why we are always looking for ways to guarantee a happy customer. At the moment, Etsy is the only e-commerce we take part in; however, we are looking to possibly sell our products on Instagram and looking forward to creating our website in the near future. For the time being, we do partake in markets, curbside pickups, and local deliveries. We are aware that shipping can be expensive– as a result, we are trying to find ways in which our customers can enjoy good quality products without having to pay an excessive amount for shipping.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: instagram.com/Sunsetscoofficial
• Facebook: @SunsetsCo.
• Twitter: @SunsetsCo_
• Other: TikTok : @Sunsetsco Pintrest: @Sunsetsco