We were lucky to catch up with Nyla Sanders recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Nyla thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I aspire to create a lasting legacy by establishing my own candle store and dance studio. In the coming years, I plan to become the proud owner of a dance studio that is connected to my very own candle store. My objective is to provide a space where my clients and customers can feel confident and empowered as they express themselves through dance. I aim to create an environment that is welcoming, warm, and conducive to self-expression and personal growth. To enhance the experience, each client will leave with a beautiful candle that features positive affirmations and delightful scents. I aim to be recognized as a successful woman who worked diligently to achieve her legacy for future generations. I hope to be remembered as a determined woman who always had a creative mindset and a grand vision for herself, clients, customers, and businesses. I strive to be recognized as someone always willing to help people have a positive present life and a better future ahead of them.

Nyla , 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?

Greetings! My name is Nyla Sanders, and I am the proud owner of Vibe and Revive Candles. In 2020, at the age of 17, I embarked on a journey to showcase my creativity and work for myself while still in high school. With the establishment of my business, initially named “Array Of Beauty by L,” I sold handmade items such as beaded bracelets, necklaces, soap bars, hair oils, and body butter. During the pandemic, I discovered a love for crafting handmade items, which became an activity that helped me take a break from my studies.

With a great deal of patience and dedication, I made a daily effort to create fresh content and ideas, working steadily towards my goals. I began selling my products on Etsy, and the support I received from customers was phenomenal. In June 2021, I took a major step and opened my online store. I was delighted to see both returning and new customers come along.

In time, I realized that some customers had difficulty finding the right size for my beaded bracelets. To address this concern, I provided a size chart and recommended sizes to assist them. My soy candles, in particular, were a huge hit among my customers. They adored the uplifting affirmations and the calming scents that brought tranquility and calmness to their homes. In the spring of 2023, I rebranded my business, and Vibe and Revive Candles came into existence. I now focus primarily on selling soy candles and take great pride in continuing to grow my business while providing my customers with calming scents and affirmations to practice throughout the day.

I believe that everyone needs a safe space, and my candles can help provide that. With positive affirmations and beautiful scented candles, one can achieve calmness and clarity even in a chaotic world.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I built my audience on social media by leveraging a marketing app to create compelling content and promote my products in public places such as street markets, colleges, and other workplaces. I effectively used hashtags and even created my unique one. I meticulously defined my target audience based on what my products can do and how they can impact people’s lives. I posted powerful content that reflected affirmations and self-care and even offered exclusive discounts to those who showed interest in ordering from my store. I realized that the more I kept showing my face and products and engaging with my audience, the more trust I built. For those who are just starting to build a social media presence, my advice is to focus on engagement, attract the right audience, master using the right hashtags, and post the right content with confidence.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I started selling my items on Etsy in 2020. For beginners, Etsy is an easy-to-navigate platform to set up your shop, and it already has a built-in audience, making it a great option. However, the competition can be tough, as many sellers list the same products, resulting in pricing wars. Etsy takes a cut of your profits, and there is a listing fee of $0.20 for each item. You can’t create an email list, and customization options are limited.

In 2021, I moved away from Etsy and opened my own website on Shopify. I’ve been using Shopify for two years and highly recommend it to business owners who prefer themes for their online store, apps and plugins, an email list, and free product listings. Shopify’s platform is secure, but it comes with a high monthly price and a service charge is applied every time you make a sale.

Both platforms have their pros and cons, so it’s essential to do your research before making a decision.

Contact Info:

• Website: vibeandrevivecandles.com
• Instagram: vibeandrevivecandles
• Facebook: vibeandrevivecandles

Image Credits
Nyla Sanders (Owner)