We recently connected with Shakyra Talley and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Shakyra, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I started my business as a way to grieve the loss of my father and job. It was a therapeutic way to escape from my feelings of unanswered questions, guilt, and heart break.

At the time in my mothers kitchen I began experimenting with wax, candle wicks, and fragrance oils. All while losing myself in the soothing process of creating beautiful candles. My friends and family encouraged me to share my creations with the world. At first it was a way to keep me busy and distract myself from the pain but as time went on it became clear that this candle making venture had the potential to become more.

I started in 2019 showcasing my candles via social media and vendoring at local events in my area. Then Covid hit in 2020, I found out I was expecting my 2nd child, and since I wasn’t able to vendor due to COVID a app called Clubhouse became a big thing. So I took off jumping up on “stage” pitching my business every chance I got to whomever would listen.

For the first ever I made 6 figures just from pitching my business on clubhouse and my followers grew on IG. I kept the business stayed steady until Dec of 2021,  being a new mom all over again and running another business became a little overwhelming so I shut it down.

July of 2022 I got a hunch to restock my inventory, but still didn’t do anything with my candle business until a year later. Life hit me again and I became pregnant with my third child. So I put the business on hold again. August of 2023, I stepped into my candle room and the Memories came flooding in. My candle business not only brought comfort and peace to me but also to countless others who found solace in the fragrances of the candle. It became a symbol of hope that I should reopen my candle business. From that day I promised myself to never give up again. Stay consistent and learn how to balance life and business.

As of September of 2023 I invested in a product photographer to help enhance the experience of my candles by creating life capturing reels, videos, and photos. I learned to draw out a plan and  invest in marketing and branding. I’m back in business and realizing that the most beautiful journeys begin in the depths of despair. Through my candles I name them in honor of those times I needed self motivation to keep pushing;   my current top sellers are Manifest That Shxt, Chosen One, Good Vibes Only, and Peach Don’t Kill my Vibe.

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.

ARI’S CANDLE CO. WAS FOUNDED IN 2018 & NAMED AFTER MY DAUGHTER, ARIANNA. WHILE MAINTAINING A FULL-TIME JOB + BEING A FULL-TIME MOTHER, I DECIDED I WANTED TO CREATE & CURATE ITEMS THAT ALLOWED ME TO BE EXPRESSIVE, CREATIVE, & FREE. AS HER IMAGINATION QUICKLY BEGAN TO GROW SO DID HER LIST OF CREATIONS SUCH AS: SUCH AS CUSTOM SHIRTS, COFFEE MUGS, & PERSONALIZED ITEMS.

IN 2019, I LOST MY JOB. THAT WAS THE PIVOTAL MOMENT WHEN I DECIDED TO BET ON MYSELF AND STEP OUT ON FAITH TO BECOME A FULL-TIME ENTREPRENEUR. IN RESULT ARI’S CRAFT BOX (NOW KNOWN AS ARI’S CANDLE CO.) BEGAN TO FLOURISH! TODAY, I CONTINUE TO CREATE ITEMS FROM THE HEART THAT EMBODIES SELF-LOVE, AND SELF CARE.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I first built my audience with people in my hometown. Sharing my business on my personal social media page and attending local vendor events. It wasn’t until Clubhouse became popular during the pandemic where I learned how to pitch my business. From that point on I would join meetings with people all over the country, pitch my business/product, and people would follow my IG page and purchase my candles. The advice I would give is to stay consistent, keep posting your business because people see, and they watch even if they don’t like or share your stuff. Be authentic, it’s not just about selling a product it’s about the experience it gives to your clients or customers.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

There are a couple of things I’ve found to be effective for growing my clientele.  I’ve learned to stop being salesy all the time. People love to see the behind the scene of how I make the candles, the process of packaging orders, organizing my workspace, sharing the benefits of my candles, offering occasional sales, but most importantly customers love seeing the experience that my candles can give. Whether the candles is placed in their home, office, storefront, or gifted to a loved one. Those are the thing to keep in mind when choosing your target audience. I strive to create self care and self love

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ariscandleco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/ariscandleco_?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/ariscandleco