Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandrika Mackall.
Hi Chandrika, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Love Notes Candle Company was started during the Covid-19 pandemic as a way for me to channel my thoughts and energy in a positive way to help with my anxiety and depression. I owned a beauty studio that I had to close due to Covid and there was a huge void in my life. I’ve always loved fragrances and candles and would often create my own room sprays and air fresheners for my beauty studio and customers loved the aromas while getting their services at the studio. I am a life learner. I love learning new things.
I was scrolling on Facebook and saw a local candle company offering a virtual candle making class so I signed up. Received my kit in about a week and tuned into the class. It was very basic and not detailed at all, lasted less than 30 minutes. I made my candle for class, but I couldn’t smell it. I would check it everyday and still no fragrance. I thought I did something wrong so that’s when I started researching the ins and outs of candle making. It was so much more to it than I could ever imagine, but I loved it. I would be up all night googling and looking for information from other candle makers and companies. I found a candle supplier that was 2 hours away so I took a road trip and spent hours there. Asking questions, touching, smelling… it was like a candy store. I couldn’t wait to load up my car and get home to play in wax and fragrances. I made candles for days. Tested them, made adjustments, gave some to a few friends as Christmas gifts and they loved them. Candle making is so relaxing. It’s also a constant learning experience. Even with all the testing and great feedback, I constantly work on creating the best formula that my customers will love. I’ve tested several waxes, but I’ve settled on coconut soy blend wax for my products. They are safe for the environment because they are toxin free. They hold fragrance very well and smell amazing. I also use cotton wicks which have zero to minimal soot and gives an even, clean burn. The company name, Love Notes Candle Company came from the notes I would write to myself, my husband and kids as a reminder of how special they are. The names of the candles are mostly affirmations that I would say to myself when the pandemic hit. These affirmations helped me and my family to stay positive. Even during our own battle with having Covid, we made it through, but loss some friends to the virus as well.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Not a smooth road. The pandemic shut everything down so getting supplies became challenging. No events were happening so I wasn’t able to setup at vending events which is how most do it yourself businesses thrive.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a candlemaker. I make all of my candles right from a little storage space in my basement using all Natural products. My candles are safe for the environment and smell amazing.
I choose the candle names wisely. I try to give them a name that when someone sees it they will be uplifted, laugh or just shake their head in a good way. When they light it their space will be filled with a lasting aroma that is soothing and welcoming to their family and friends.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Ask questions. Join some social media groups that focus on what you are doing on inspire to do. Send out samples. I send sample wax melts with every order. Talk to people. Tell them what you do. Share your story. Business is about relationships. You have to let people know you are just like them. Don’t aim for perfection. Aim for your best. You’d be surprised how parallel many of us are and how many will share advice and tips for you to grow your business. Research, learn, learn, learn! You will never know it all, but there is a lot of information right at your fingertips.
Contact Info:
- Email: lovenotescandleco@gmail.com
- Website: www.lovenotescandleco.com
- Instagram: @lovenotescandleco
- Facebook: Love Notes Candle Co.
Image Credits
Tim Peterson of Peterson Photography
