Maker Monday: Country Cabin Candles & Soaps
If you love scented candles, then you’re going to love today’s maker – Country Cabin Candles & Soaps makes high quality candles and soaps with over 50 scents to choose from. What started as a love of candles and fragrances grew into a successful local business.
If you missed last weeks article, you can read about our last maker here.
Tell us about Country Cabin Candles & Soaps.
CCCS was born back in April 2011 from my love of candles and fragrances. As an avid candle burner, I was always on the hunt for a candle that burned nicely and that had an excellent scent throw. I researched options available, and decided on eco-friendly, 100% soy wax. I tested various wicks and fragrances, from many different suppliers to find the best on the market. Over the years I have made changes and tweaks to my process to enhance the candle experience my customers have grown to love. So many have told me that while burning one of my candles/melts, they are reminded of a memory of someone or something. Fragrances evoke memories and feelings and connect us with emotions. I strive to provide a quality product that will make my customers feel those emotions through the power of fragrance.
How did you get started making bath and body products?
Within the first year of business, I started to dabble with bath and body products. It just seemed like a natural step forward and of course, I was looking at expanding my product offering. I kept it simple at first, dabbling with melt and pour bases for soap making. I watched videos, read books and researched recipes and ingredients. I made my first batch of cold process soap in March 2012 and have not looked back! As a young child, I had problematic skin, eczema/dry/blotchy. My mother made me use goat milk soap as it was gentle, and non-irritating. That is the reason I decided to make all my cold process soaps goat milk as it is a naturally gentle and creamy soap.
I have continued to expand my bath and body line over the years, making whipped shea body butter, lotion and bubble truffles.
What is your best-selling item?
Definitely our 100% soy wax melts, followed very closely by our candles and goat milk soaps!
Our soy melts/cubes can be used in any type of warmer, either electric or tealight operated. When the heat melts the cubes, it releases the scent into the area, providing fragrance for 8-12 hours per cube. A wonderful way to fragrance your home/cottage without flames!
Was it difficult to get products into local stores? What was this process like?
I was quite fortunate in the early years of my business to meet some customers that fell in love with my products and approached their workplaces to carry my line. I am forever grateful for the relationships I have formed with these businesses. Word of mouth is a powerful advertising tool and one that has helped me in expanding the locations that carry my products. Did I make cold calls, yes! Did I get denied, yes! However, I persevered, worked hard and continued to produce quality products. I talked to many people at craft shows, visited stores and aligned myself with other business owners that I connected with and that shared similar visions/goals for their business.
Any tips for other makers who may be looking to start selling their own items?
Find something that you love to do, that you are passionate about. At the end of the day, if you have fun at your craft, it won’t feel like work. Get out there, attend craft shows, network with other vendors and engage with your customers, they are your biggest advertisers!
It’s not easy, you have to work hard and ensure you are making a quality product that you can be proud of putting out there for sale.
Follow your dreams, be yourself, set goals, and most of all, have fun!
You can find out more about Country Cabin Candles & Soaps on their website or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.
Emily Franceschini
Emily Franceschini is former full-timer and lover of all things purple. In a past life, Emily worked as a marketing manager and spent her free time searching for the perfect cup of coffee. Now all of her time is free time and she's spending it exploring the world.
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