We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Whitney Ricketts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Whitney, appreciate you 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?

In 2017 I was deployed to Africa for a humanitarian mission for 9 months. In those 9 months I started a business called Signature Loops where I hand made lanyards, bracelets, and anything you could make from 550 cord. I received over 300+ orders in 6 months. I also helped young girls in Djibouti learn to make them as a way for them to make money and provide a way to escape sex trafficking. Also part of my proceeds were dedicated to the Action Against Hunger Foundation in Djbouti as I love giving back. When I returned I wanted to continue my business in creating things for people but nothing came to mind. I spent months trying to figure out what is something almost everyone enjoys.

In 2020 during the COVID 19 shutdown, I found myself not able to go anywhere but I really wanted some candles! I was always upset because I could never find one of my favorite scent but a color to match my room, so I decided during my spare time to make my own. I began researching on how to make candles, products needed, and so forth. I finally began and enjoyed doing so as it brought me peace. A few friends came over, saw, and smelled my candles and asked where I got them from and to their surprise when I told them I made them, the began asking me to make them some! I then knew this was what I was going to create and turn into a business!

Time was of the essence because I still work a full time job being an Army National Guard Recruiter and dancer. After work I would spend hours on perfecting my craft. I came up with the name Whit’s Signature Tings, keeping the same idea from Africa and putting in my Jamaican roots. I launched my business June 2020 and to my surprise received a lot of orders. It was hard working alone but with God on my side, I couldn’t stop and had to keep pushing. During my spare time I would go to different Paint and Sip events and had an idea to launch my own event but instead of paint, we create candles!

In November 2020 I launch my first Candle Making Party called Flames & Champagne. It was a great turn out and filled with so much positive energy and encouragement that I have never felt. January 2021 I rebranded and changed my business name to Whit’s Candles & Tings which brought more customers that I never met. I continued with parties but had to put my business on hold for military trainings and schools and about 4 months. In September after realizing I had lost sight of my goals, I relaunched and created a new name for my events, Lit Candle Making Party. Since then I have had every event sell out by the grace of God! I am creating new styles of candles, lip gloss, Wax Melts, incense, and more as there are no limitations. I started networking on social media going to be vendors and different events and it’s been a blessed and great journey thus far! I plan to keep pushing to elevate to new levels and avenues of my business!

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

Absolutely! My name is Whitney Ricketts aka MissSwissRolls! I was born and raised in Kansas City, MO home of the Chiefs!! I’m a huge Chiefs fan. Outside of making candles & hosting Candle Making Parties, I am a Staff Sergeant / Drill Sergeant / Recruiter for the Texas Amry National Guard. I’ve been in the military for 7 1/2 years and love it! I am also a trained dancer in many different styles since I was 3 and have been on several NBA / NFL teams.

What sets me a part from other companies is the opportunity to create your own candles. You can pick your color(s) and scent that you desire and I will create that for you. No one will ever have a candle like yours! At my Lit Candle Making Parties, you get to make the candles and handsoaps yourself giving you the freedom to be creative in a positive energy filled environment. I also provide private parties to anyone who has a birthday, event, or to apartment communities for resident events.

I am proud to provide a service that my customers can enjoy and have a feeling of accomplishment afterwards. Seeing smiles on their faces keeps me going.

Any advice for managing a team?

My advice for managing a team and maintaining high morale is to always let your team know you appreciate them. My team is extremely important to me because I can not do this alone and I am grateful for all their help. They volunteer to help me out at events and always encourage me to keep going. When you genuinely care for your team they will go above and beyond for you and I’ll do the same. I can’t wait for the day when I can put them on a steady payroll because they truly deserve it. I take them out from time to time and when they need something they know they can always call on me to be there.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

As I am still learning on building my business media presence, I do find it important to always stay engaged with your followers. It’s ok to follow them back as well!! It’s part of being humble. I like and comment on my followers post when I can because they are important to me and my business. At parties, I make an effort to follow everyone that attends and they do the same in return which helps build my social media. I like to do giveaways to get everyone involved and sharing post for others to see. When we work together, we win together.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.WhitsCandlesandTings.com
• Instagram: WhitsCandlesandTings
• Facebook: WhitsCandlesandTings