Maker of the Month: Pretty Honest Candles
Andrea of
Pretty Honest Candles has
always been a candle lover. In 2017 she turned her candle making hobby into a
business. Andrea's line includes soy candles, room diffusers, and candle
accessories. Pretty Honest Candles has been featured in Buzzfeed, Apartment Therapy,
and more. Learn more about Andrea and her growing
business!
How long
have you been making candles and what led to Pretty Honest
Candles?
I've always been a candle lover. Just like
everyone else, I could (still can) spend hours in the candle aisle, just sniffing
away! I decided to try my hand at making them in 2017, just as a hobby. I never
imagined it would evolve into this!
I started
selling at farmers markets and pop up events! I started making candles in my
kitchen, then took over a room, and then the house before my husband requested I get
a warehouse. So, I moved into a 1200sqft warehouse and a year later into a 2500sqft
one. And I’ve been there for 3 years. I’m proud that I found a
way to keep my business running when I was pregnant and postpartum. I’ve
had to pivot a lot on this journey and I’m sure I’ll have to
pivot again, but it’s been a joy and a privilege. So, I’m happy
to keep going!
What sets
Pretty Honest candles apart - what makes them unique?
The thing that sets Pretty Honest Candles apart from other brands is me!
All makers bring their own personal taste and creativity to their craft. That's what
makes it so special and gives everyone an opportunity to thrive in this space. So my
custom fragrance blends and packaging make my brand
unique!
How do you find
inspiration?
Everywhere, sounds cliche I know! I find
it from my travels, my everyday life, I find elements I like and then figure out how
I can convey that feeling through scents and
design!
What is
your favorite part of the creative process?
Custom
mixing scents! The scents are already gorgeous from the bottle, but there is
something so fulfilling about mixing them to discover something completely new and
unique.
You have a
background in marketing - how have you used those skills as a small business
owner?
My marketing background really helped me build my
social media presence! Also, it taught me to listen to my audience and find out what
they value about my brand.
What advice would you give to makers looking to start their
own business from home?
Go for it! Many people claim
the market is oversaturated (which it is), but everyone brings their own unique take
and vision on things.
How do you
balance candle making with content creation, managing your social media pages, and
website?
I don't (haha). My background is
in social media, so I know that content creation, strategy, and community management
is a job all on its own. I stopped trying to chase the algorithm and just post what
makes me happy. My target audience and the people who have been following me for
years don't care if what I'm posting is
trendy.
What other makers do you
admire, and what do you like about their work?
I
admire O'Soy
Candles, HOAM
Candles, and most other candle makers. I admire their personal style and
making candles that are true to them. Not just trying to copy what everyone else is
doing.
What are
your dreams for Pretty Honest Shop? Where would you like to see your business in 5
or 10 years?
Right now, I don't actually have a 5 or
10 year plan. Since having my daughter, I needed to re-evaluate what I wanted. So,
right now I'm just enjoying what it is and not putting too much pressure on what it
could be.
What are some of your
must-have Bramble Berry products?
I love the Super Pearly White Mica! I
use it in the conversation hearts on the Valentine's day candles. The shimmer is so
gorgeous!
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