We recently connected with Tamara Gasich and have shared our conversation below.

Tamara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I’m a nurse by trade, during the pandemic I found myself burnt-out and stressed. My husband suggested I choose a hobby to decrease my stress level. We have always been candle lovers, so I decided why not give it a shot. I made my first batch of candles and distributed them to my family and friends. The feed back I received was amazing and overwhelming. Everyone kept sharing with me their experiences with my product and how they have never smelled anything this amazing. With being a nurse, I love the interactions with my patients and how I can make a different in their lives, making candles was a similar experience because it brought me so much joy to create products that people truly enjoyed. This hobby started off as being very therapeutic and blossomed into a business.

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

My name is Tamara and I am the owner of Kenyel’s Hand Poured Candles. I wear many hats including, nurse, wife, mother, coach, student and business owner. The thing that sets me apart from others would be, for my business I’ve created a culture that is centered around my customers and I’ve focused my processes, products and services around their needs. I love to interact, take suggestions scents, and engage with my customers. I’m a very hands on owner and I like to get to know the customer base I serve. I am most proud of the growth of my company within the past 3 years. I never imagined accomplishing so much in just a short time, I am forever grateful. I want people to know Kenyel’s Hand Poured Candles is a family brand, my family has contributed a lot to the success of the company. Every product we make is out of love.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Absolutely, there were so many grants, business start up loans and funds I wish I knew about. I was really good at the creating the products for the business, but I wish I did more research on how to start a company from a business standpoint. The great thing about us doing a lot of Markets and Festivals is the networking with other vendors, we found out tons of opportunities and information.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I typically work Markets on Saturdays, there has been many of times I will get off work from a 12 hour shift Saturday morning and go right to the market. Of course I’m exhausted but I really enjoy mingling with my customers. I shock myself sometimes how resilient I am juggling, school, home, two jobs and my business.

Contact Info:

• Website: kenyelshandpouredcandle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenyels_candles/
• Facebook: Kenyels Hand Poured Candles
• Other: https://linktr.ee/kenyels_candles