Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rebecca Lopez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Rebecca, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Sunrise Bookworm Co. emerged from my desire to transport my husband to Northern Arizona through a candle scent since traveling wasn’t an option at the time. In the Winter of 2018, I dove into the research and testing phase. Candles had always triggered headaches for me. When I discovered the harmful ingredients in big box brand store products, my passion ignited to curate non-toxic, clean burning products.

Then the muse took me to scents inspirations inspired by my favorite literary works and films. I had never encountered a business with a bookish focus before and wanted to bring something to the literary community.

I committed a year to perfecting my soy wax blends, fragrance ratios, and shaping my vision for a brand that transports customers to fictional worlds through scent. I exclusively use my own products at home, allowing me to enjoy a pleasant scent without the headaches, black soot, or toxins often associated with conventional candles. Over time, I expanded my offerings to include goat’s milk soaps and lotions, unisex clothing, drinkware, bookmarks, stickers, and more!

Initially, I produced four new scents monthly, but living in a one-bedroom apartment made this approach unsustainable, and after a year, I experienced creative burnout while balancing my full-time job. I adapted by crafting items to order and implementing quarterly product releases.

I began creating goat’s milk soaps and lotions to address my own skin sensitivity and eczema. Our goat’s milk soap stands out because it delivers both fragrance and cleansing power! We utilize non-toxic fragrances paired with premium essential oils that boast natural antibacterial benefits, plus added vitamin E for nourishment. Switching exclusively to my products has significantly improved my skin.

I design and craft all products in-house, handling every step from conception to listing, production, packaging, and delivery logistics. We prioritize using recyclable packaging materials whenever possible. This in-house production allows me to meet custom orders of any size at reasonable prices. I genuinely enjoy collaborating with authors and local businesses to create perfect items that enhance their ventures or daily lives.

I officially opened Sunrise Bookworm Co. in the Summer of 2019. As of February 2024, I have taken the business full time and am also hosting an Arizona Book and Author convention called Readers of the Valley.

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

Hola bookworms! I’m Rebecca Lopez, the founder and CEO of Sunrise Bookworm Co., established in the summer of 2019.

As a happily married spicy Latina, I’ve tirelessly pursued my big dream for the past five years, transforming it into a reality. Balancing my passion, I maintained a full-time job until February 2024. Alongside my business, my diverse background as a high school English teacher, a food service manager for a decade, and a construction firm employee has shaped my business acumen. Each experience has imparted valuable lessons on what to avoid in business. I dedicate several hours daily to researching industry trends and strategies that will ensure my business not only survives but thrives.

I’ve been a bookworm since childhood, nurtured by my grandparents who read to me every night. My great-grandmother fostered my creativity and love for crafting, keeping me engaged with various activities as a child.

Sunrise Bookworm Co. proudly offers over a hundred non-toxic fragrances available as soy candles, soy wax melts, goat’s milk soap, or goat’s milk lotion. We also curate a wide range of unisex clothing up to size 5XL, drinkware, stickers, bookmarks, and much more. Every item is handcrafted in-house by me, from conception to production and delivery logistics.

Need a custom item for your novel or business? Let Sunrise Bookworm Co. bring your vision to life with specially crafted items made from premium-quality products at prices that suit your budget. Schedule a free custom product consultation on my website today!

Our non-toxic, phthalate-free fragrances are not only safe to inhale but also gentle on your skin. Indulge in delightful scents while nourishing and cleansing your body with our goat’s milk soaps and lotions, enriched with vitamin E oil and essential oils for their antibacterial properties.

I am committed to utilizing my platform and online presence to create a safe, inclusive space for everyone to enjoy our products while raising awareness for causes close to my heart, including chronic pain and mental health awareness.

What started as a tiny dream has flourished into an incredible journey over the past five years. Please understand that every order, comment, like, and share means the world to me. Your unwavering support empowers me to do what I love every single day.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

After five years, I took Sunrise Bookworm Co. full time in February 2024 after I parted ways with my day job. This shift became a tremendous blessing in disguise, allowing me to focus entirely on my passion for candle making and literary events. While I initially felt like I had jumped off a cliff, I transformed that leap into a sky dive, soaring higher than ever before in my entrepreneurial journey.

Sunrise Bookworm Co. started with just four candle scents, which included popular fragrances inspired by beloved books. The brand quickly expanded into over a hundred aromas to cater to diverse customer preferences. Understanding that sustained growth depended on diversification, I explored additional product lines such as bath products and home goods to remain relevant and engage the unique niche audience I serve.

Today, Sunrise Bookworm Co. proudly offers over nine product lines, all meticulously crafted in-house by me, ensuring high-quality and unique items for customers.

Furthermore, I launched a book and author convention called Readers of the Valley—an inclusive multi-genre event designed for readers to connect with their favorite writers. This vibrant gathering not only celebrates literature but also fosters community engagement and supports local authors and artisans in the literary field

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

I create every single product in my shop in-house, handling everything from conception and production to packaging and shipping. Back in 2019, I had no idea about the complexity involved in candle making. It took me a lot of time, testing, trial and error, and research to fine-tune my methods and curate a product in which I feel truly proud and confident. Finding the appropriate insurance and coverage posed another obstacle as a small business with the types of products I offer.

I never reached out to other makers or shops for product creation advice; I wanted to develop my own methods that were authentically unique to Sunrise Bookworm Co. Each product has undergone months of behind-the-scenes research and development, ensuring you receive only the best.

I’ve learned that handmade items carry slight variances, and those tiny imperfections showcase the unique character and beauty of handcrafted products.

Embrace the charm of owning something truly one-of-a-kind, and support a small business that pours passion and dedication into every creation. Choose quality, authenticity, and the personal touch that mass-produced items simply cannot offer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sunrisebookwormco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisebookwormco
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sunrisebookwormco
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sunrise-bookworm-co-llc/
• Twitter: N/a
• Other: email – becca@sunrisebookwormco.com

Image Credits

Rebecca Lopez