We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sapna Patel & Rosalie Veal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Sapna Patel & Rosalie Veal thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

When naming our business, “S&R Candle Company”, simplicity and a personal touch were our guiding principles. We wanted a name that reflected the straightforward minimalist style of our candle creations while also connecting to the essence of our brand. S&R is derived from the first initials of our names, creating a meaningful and straightforward representation of the founders behind the candle-making journey. It embodies the simplicity and personal commitment we bring to crafting each candle, making it more than just a name but a reflection of our passion and dedication.

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.

S&R Candle Company is a 2 women-owned small business, built from the ground up in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL.

It was founded in 2022 by 2 friends who came together to share their passion for crafts, creativity, and entrepreneurship. We started making candles for friends & family as gifts for fun and started receiving custom requests for larger orders to make candles as wedding favors, showers, company gifts to give to their clients, etc. After much thought, we decided to start our small business.
Our mission is to promote self-love and self-care, while also caring for our environment.
What sets our candle business apart is our unwavering commitment to providing a healthier and cleaner option for our customers. We take pride in sourcing the cleanest, non-toxic ingredients for our candles, setting us apart from many other companies that often use paraffin wax and other harmful substances. Our dedication to creating a safer and more environmentally friendly product reflects our values and our genuine concern for the well-being of our customers. We believe in transparency and delivering a candle that not only illuminates but also prioritizes the health and safety of those who enjoy it.

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

Yes, we take pride in manufacturing our own candles, and it’s a labor of love for us as a two-woman team. When we started, we had a passion for creating high-quality candles, but we didn’t have prior manufacturing experience. We embarked on a learning journey, experimenting with different techniques and refining our process, which is still a learning experience since we are still fairly new.

Initially, there were challenges in finding the right materials and perfecting the art of candle making, but through dedication and continuous improvement, we became proficient in every aspect of our craft. We didn’t rely on external vendors; instead, we wanted to maintain complete control over the quality of our products, ensuring that each candle is hand-poured with precision and care.

The lessons we’ve learned along the way are invaluable. From sourcing the finest ingredients to perfecting our pouring technique, attention to detail has been crucial. We’ve discovered the importance of adaptability and embracing the learning curve that comes with entrepreneurship. Our hands-on approach has not only allowed us to create a superior product but has also given us a profound understanding of our craft, making each candle a true reflection of our passion and commitment.

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

We have chosen to exclusively sell our products on our own site, steering away from larger platforms like Amazon, Etsy, or Cratejoy, etc. While these platforms undoubtedly offer a broad audience and convenient infrastructure, we are driven by a desire to create a unique, luxe brand that stands out.

By selling exclusively on our site, we maintain control over our brand image, customer experience, and the overall presentation of our products. We believe that this approach allows us to convey an exclusive, high-end feel to our customers, positioning our candles as a special and carefully crafted indulgence.

While there’s merit in starting on larger platforms, we aim to create an aura of exclusivity by limiting our distribution to our site and eventually, select luxury boutiques. This decision aligns with our vision of offering a product that’s not easily accessible, emphasizing quality over quantity. While it may present challenges in terms of initial reach, we see the opportunity to build a loyal customer base who appreciates the uniqueness and sophistication of our brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.srcandlecompany.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/s_r_candlecompany