Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Ware.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked a 9-5 job that was not cutting for me financially, and I remember thinking, “I need more money.” Also, many companies faced shipping delays during this time, and products took what seemed like forever to arrive at your home after placing your order. One of the companies that I vividly remember having some of these shipping delays was Bath and Body Works. I recall seeing someone post on social media that not only did their order take forever to arrive, but they were shipped all the wrong candle products when they arrived. I also experienced severe shipping delays when I placed an order with Bath and Body Works during the pandemic, which did not sit well with me. Every order should have been handled with care and perhaps a little more urgency for the price of those candles. This got me thinking, and after sharing a conversation with my best friend, I decided to start researching how much it would take to make my very own candle. I purchased my first candle-making book from Amazon, joined a few candle-making groups on Facebook, and googled candle-making techniques day and night. My father gave me $100 to purchase my first candle-making kit to practice, and I remember testing the candle-making process for 3 weeks before deciding to launch my very own candle business. On June 15, 2023, I successfully launched Candlelit by Tiff and sold more candles that day than I ever had in stock! I was blown away by the support I received that day. Since then, I have sold well over 2,000 candle products, including releasing 6 different candle collections. I have also created and published my book called Candlelit by Tiff: The Guide to Creating a Successful Candle Business and Becoming an Entrepreneur, which is available on Amazon. I have also taught 4 candle-making classes in the St. Louis metropolitan area and have spoken to and encouraged many young people to take the leap of faith and start their businesses. Today, 3 years later, I have the pleasure to continue to produce amazing candle products through my business, keeping the consumer, their pockets, and top-tier customer service at the forefront of my mind.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has most definitely been a challenging road. I wish it had, but starting and maintaining my own business and working a 9-5 has shown me how hard being an entrepreneur is. You must stay grounded and motivated, but most importantly, keep your faith. There have been months where I have sold so many products and others where I have yet to sell one single candle product. Those months, of course, are the toughest. You must know that bad times do not last forever and that it is important to keep pushing no matter what. Keep promoting your business. Keep connecting with others and making partnerships. Keep cultivating new and fresh ideas. It’s not easy. Nothing works; having and keeping are; however, if something is your passion, you’ll always find your way back to it.
We’ve been impressed with Candlelit by Tiff, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
Candlelit by Tiff takes pride in providing our customers with all-natural, handmade candle products. Our soy wax candles are hand-poured with love in the wonderful city of St. Louis, MO, and made with nothing but the best materials. From a product standpoint, we offer single-wick, double-wick, and 3-wick candles. We also offer wax melts; one of our most recent product introductions is our car diffusers. Everything from the candles down to the labels is hand-crafted and made to perfection with the thought of you in mind. We are proud to provide you with moderately priced candle products that still give your home that warm and cozy feel that our competitors compete with. From a services standpoint, we offer candle-making classes if you or someone you know is interested in the candle-making process. These classes can be one-on-one or held with a group for double dating or maybe a fun girl’s night out. We value every customer and are beyond grateful for the support we have received over the years. We are most proud of surviving the pandemic and remaining one of the top candle-making businesses in the city! Thank you for choosing Candlelit by Tiff!
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is providing my customers with a product as close to perfection as possible. Many of my friends make fun of the fact that I am a perfectionist, but it’s honestly something that I am super proud of. While making my candle products, I always think, “If I was a customer and received this product, what would I like to receive?” In doing this, I’m thinking of the fragrance, the label’s look, if the wicks are cut evenly, if the candle looks lumpy or smooth, and how far the fragrance will travel. You name it, I am thinking of it. I always like to make sure that I am not just giving my customers a mediocre type of product but something made with love. I would be proud to burn or showcase something in my home in my car.
Pricing:
- Single Wick Candle – $8
- Double Wick Candle – $12
- 3-Wick Candle – $18
- Car Diffuser – $10
- Book – $14.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.candlelitbytiff.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candlelitbytiff
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Candlelit-by-Tiff/100083025115989/
- Other: https://a.co/d/hVucjlA
Image Credits
J’s Photography
