We recently connected with Scottlyn Marie and have shared our conversation below.

Scottlyn , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

When I first started my business I definitely had a lot to learn. Being self taught in candlemaking came with trials and humble beginnings to say the least but it also came with not knowing how to handle a lot of the situations that I was facing for the first time while running a business. There are many obstacles that come with the platform , depression was my biggest . From not having sales , not hitting my goals to at one point giving up completely. YEP, I walked away from my business at my breaking point – I just felt exhausted from putting in so much effort and not getting the results I was hoping for. And honestly, that’s exactly what I needed. When you are in business, it’s about trying something new and evolving without getting caught up on the things that didn’t work. THAT mind shift for me is what helped scale my business. I had to learn how to run my business with tunnel vision and not letting the obstacles stop me , because there will ALWAYS be an obstacle. The strategy and tactic is to have a plan , a good solid plan and stick to it . Have processes in place and learn early not to run your business with your obstacles and emotions but to have structure and discipline.

Scottlyn , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Hey Babes ! I’m Scottlyn Marie, Candle Curator and Owner of Waxsy Candle Company. From the beginnings of being a self taught candle maker to establishing a successful online candle brand, I’m reshaping the candle industry with our hand poured coconut wax candles and room sprays. At just two years , we have been featured in various marketplaces such as Market By Macys and Miami International Mall and have built a candle community with dozens of Waxsy Babes. Our scent blends are designed for luxury to meet your lifestyle . Pampering and Self Care are necessary for women , especially black women and candles are the staple of embracing self care. We not only offer candles and room sprays but we also provide Private Label, Wholesale, and One-on One Candle Making Classes that promotes business fundamentals.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Before launching Waxsy , I entertained the idea of having a Private Label vendor – at the time, I didn’t know how to make candles but i knew I wanted to learn the industry and break into the market. The vendor was too expensive for my budget starting out . ( haha ) I was in my second year at a corporate job and 24 – So when they quoted me for $1500 for only 25 candles , I knew I could do numbers like that. I learned how to pour candles and structure my business from the ground up. All of our products are manufactured in-house and our candles are hand poured by myself and our waxsy staff.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

Candles were my side hustle to my corporate job but i always knew that there was more to my journey . I remember working at my corporate job and fulfilling orders while working and on calls or creating content and planning while sitting in my cubicle. I’m a woman of God and that was a very pivotal moment in my life because i knew God was using me as a vessel for something greater. I prayed and worked in my business all while having a corporate job, driving DoorDash, and working in nightlife for 4 years. In May 2021 i left my corporate job and all my side hustles and turned my side hustle into my full time business. **I don’t suggest leaving your job without a plan in place** When I left my job, for me it was like flying for the first time- for the first time i just exhaled and relaxed and slept really good , but i knew it was time to really put in the work . It was a milestone to have the faith but it takes a village and a plan to turn your business into your full time hustle. Making the money isn’t what helps you scale, its about expanding and investing your profit .

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.waxsy.co
• Instagram: shopwaxsycandles and CandleBaee
• Facebook: Waxsy Candle Company