We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tiffany Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tiffany below.

Hi Tiffany, thanks for joining us today. One deeply underappreciated facet of entrepreneurship is the kind of crazy stuff we have to deal with as business owners. Sometimes it’s crazy positive sometimes it’s crazy negative, but crazy experiences unite entrepreneurs regardless of industry. Can you share a crazy story with our readers?

I opened my first brick and mortar location in December of 2020. The following August 2021, our building was destroyed due to Hurricane Ida. Our landlord was an older lady and decided she was not interested in rebuilding. She decided to sell the building as is which left myself and 13 other business without a space.

Feeling defeated, but still hopeful, we took a chance and moved forward opening up another brick and mortar in our dream location in November 2021. Unfortunately we were only open 4 months before I received a call saying our store front location was on fire.

One of our wax melting pots malfunctioned overnight and the wax inside ignited due to the temperature being too high. Because we opened a few months after a major hurricane, no insurance carrier would write a policy for us, so it was a total loss.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I started Wicks Nola in 2018. . I had recently returned to my 9-5 after walking away from a previous business venture. I owned a medical billing company but things were way too stressful and I didn’t enjoy it anymore so I dissolved the business.

Once back in the office I was reminded of why I walked away the first time. I missed the freedom of working for myself and wanted to venture out again, but this time I wanted to do something I enjoyed and could be passionate about.

I’ve always loved candles and scent. I decided that I wanted to learn how to make candles. I got a notebook and start writing down ideas for what my niche would be and how I was going to fund it. I had a plan, but no idea how to even make a candle. I started watching YouTube videos and joined a couple Facebook groups. I started ordering supplies and just texting different waxes and wicks and formulas. It was rough in the beginning. I was setting whole jars on fire with too much fragrance oil or too large wicks. After about six months of solid testing I decided to start with my family.

They gave me their critiques which I welcomed because it helped me perfect my product. Eventually I was producing candles that they actually loved. My family suggested I start doing local markets and pop ups. After about a year of grinding and really pushing the brand, we got an inquiry for our first wholesale order.

In 2020, the murder of George Floyd really propelled people to start intentionally supporting black owned businesses. We received a lot of attention during this time which really grew our popularity and sales.

This same year we were also featured in Oprah Magazine as one of the best candles of 2020!

Just recently we were chosen to receive a $10,000 grant from Beyoncé’s Bey Good Foundation.

Do you have multiple revenue streams – if so, can you talk to us about those streams and how your developed them?

In addition to candles, after the first year we began to add other home fragrance options to our product line like room sprays, diffusers and wax melts.

With the loss of our brick and mortar last year, we had to find other ways to generate revenue other than the online shop. In May, we hosted our first Mobile Candle Making Workshop.

Based on the same concept as a Sip and Paint, but with candles. The best part is that we come to you. This has been an awesome addition to our current offerings and has been a hit with the community.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

In this entrepreneurial journey I don’t think people are realistic about what to expect. I think entrepreneurship is glorified and no one speaks about the toll on your mental health. The effect on your kids, family and relationships. It’s a sacrifice and it’s not easy and if you lack passion for what you’re doing it won’t last. Passion is what keeps you going when you aren’t making sales. When the money isn’t coming in.

I had to learn to set boundaries and to be ok with saying no. Understanding that every sale and opportunity weren’t for me and that it was ok to let some things pass.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @wicksnola504
• Facebook: @wicksnola504
• Twitter: @nolawicks

Image Credits
Justen Williams Pep Holman