Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Regina Pasqualone . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Regina , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?
I don’t have some profound story for this one! The name Tiny Kitchen Candle Co. came about because that is where I started making candles- in my tiny kitchen!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I started experimenting with candle making back in 2016, right after the birth of my son. I was on maternity leave from my teaching position and really felt called to flex my creative muscles. I made some candles for friends and family, but once I returned to work, my time and energy shifted back to teaching.
In November of 2019, while sitting in a classroom full of students, I had a sort of “Aha!” moment: I wanted to give the candle thing another shot. It was a strange experience- suddenly I had a vision of the brand, the product. Looking back, I think in that moment I was finally admitting to myself that my teaching journey was coming to an end. And I was allowing myself to believe that I COULD do something else.
Having been on my own wellness journey, it was important to me to create a product that sparked joy in people’s lives. But how does one gain access to a person’s soul? I started thinking about the 5 senses. The products developed from there. Every decision we made was done so intentionally. Why amber glass jars? For their soft, calming glow. Why crackling wooden wicks? For their soothing sound. Foil-stamped labels? Nothing complements a stellar fragrance better than tastefully gilded packaging. I didn’t just want to make a candle; I wanted to create an experience for our customers.
I launched Tiny Kitchen Candle Co. in June of 2020. Since then, we’ve grown steadily, gaining many devoted customers in the Tri-state area. We are stocked in small retailers across the country and can be found in Whole Foods in NY, NJ, and CT. We work with several corporate gifting businesses, as well as companies that offer custom gift boxes.
Most recently we started offering candle-making workshops and they’ve been super fun!
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
Our company is entirely self-funded. We have no investors or silent partners. Because we started so small, the initial investment wasn’t terribly expensive. As we have grown, we have taken our profits and reinvested them back into the business.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
The “You Are a Badass” books by Jen Sincero have significantly impacted the way I approach business. I had zero business experience when I started Tiny Kitchen Candle Co., but I couldn’t let that fact get in the way of what I wanted to build. I’m not afraid to approach businesses or companies with my products. I’m not afraid to hear “No.” I think this is key when trying to grow your business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tinykitchencandleco.com
- Instagram: @tinykitchencandleco
- Facebook: @tinykitchencandleco
Image Credits
Michelle McCooe Photography