We recently connected with Vantoria Johns and have shared our conversation below.

Vantoria, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with what makes profitability in your industry a challenge – what would you say is the biggest challenge?

As a candle manufacturer, I’ve spent many, many months researching and testing my products. It can be more expensive when first starting a small business to purchase supplies and materials in smaller quantities. If you are lucky enough for your business to grow, you can then consider purchasing bulk quantities which will ultimately help with your bottom line. The big box stores that sell candles are able to manufacture and/or purchase goods in such large quantities that they are then able to sell them for a third of the cost that a small business would have to sell them for.

As a small business owner, turning a profit can be very challenging when you’re having to compete with the big box companies. The consumers who purchase these goods tend to question why they should spend $25 on a candle made by a small business owner when they can purchase one for $7 from a well-known big box company. But what they fail to realize is the time and quality that the small business owner invests in making hand-crafted, small batch products.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Back in 2016, I happened to come across a social media post that was explaining how to make your own candles. After reading the post and watching the videos they provided, I decided “Hey, I might be able to make my own candles.” I received my Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Maryland and my Doctor of Pharmacy from Howard University so I’ve always had an interest in working in a lab and understanding the chemistry behind things.

The idea of developing a candle from scratch was fascinating and exciting! I began researching the process, taking many notes, and then deciding on the initial supplies that I wanted to start with. A lot goes into developing a great smelling and safe burning candle. You have to test the containers, the wicks, the waxes, the dyes, and the fragrance oils. You have to monitor the temperature of the containers and wax to ensure they are safe for use by the consumer.

I handcrafted many candles that I tested in my own home as well recruiting family and friends to test some of my candles. After months and months of testing, I was finally happy to introduce my first candles to the community and that’s how Vantoria Essentials, LLC got started. I initially started with handcrafting one type of tin candle and one type of glass candle. I eventually added wax melts to my product line.

Fast forward to today and I am delighted to say that Vantoria Essentials, LLC has become more than just a candle company. We are now a Home Decor Company and offer not only candles and wax melts but also offer room sprays, room diffusers, fragrance warmers, vases, and votives. Our ultimate goal is to be a full-fledge home decor business offering not only our current product line but also offering items such as pillows, wall decor, planters, and all things home decor!

All of our products can be viewed on our online website, www.vantoriaessentials.com We are also pleased to be a Wayfair partner. Locally our products can be purchased at Dream BIG Boutique in LaPlata, MD.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been word of mouth. Don’t get me wrong, social media has definitely been a way to connect with new clientele but when someone tells their neighbor, co-worker, family member or friend about one of our products or purchases one of our products for a gift and those individuals fall in love with our product, that has been the most effective way to get more folks to try our products. The wonderful reviews we receive on our website, encourages us to keep doing what we’re doing.

In addition, we try to provide top notch customer service and we’ve had many folks tell us that they’ve never witnessed customer service like ours. There are numerous other companies that folks can purchase from so you have to make them love you and want to come back.

Have you ever had to pivot?

As I’m sure everyone can relate to this but Covid resulted in us having to think differently about our business and how to continue to be successful with all of the challenges of Covid. Many stores and events were closed or cancelled, so those direct connections that we were once able to make with consumers was no longer in place. It became very hard to convince someone to purchase scented home decor products and they were not able to touch or smell them. This resulted in us thinking differently about how we promoted and shared our products. Social media became very important and we had to use that avenue as a way to share more photos and describe more about what our products looked like and/or smelled like. And again, word of mouth was important as folks were sharing their experiences with our products.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vantoriaessentials.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vantoria.essentials/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VantoriaEssentials/