Today we’d like to introduce you to Liv Alliston.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Starting a candle shop has always been a dream of mine. I very much wanted my own business and product, but I didn’t know how to make candles. So, it was put on the back burner, a venture for another time perhaps.
Several years later, a friend of mine asked me to partner with her in a multi-level marketing (MLM) business. I had been a stay-at-home mom for about six months and the idea of making some extra cash and having something for myself outside of motherhood was very appealing. I talked it over with my husband and we agreed to invest a small amount of money in the MLM business. But, as I thought about it more, I asked myself: ‘Why invest money in someone else’s business when I can invest it in my own business instead?’ The spark of hope returned once again, and I found myself not only excited about the possibility of having my own business but capable of learning a new craft, developing a marketing strategy and launching my own brand of candles. I prayed about it and felt it was the right time. So, I checked out books from the library on candle making and began to research quality suppliers. And, after much trial and error, Fragrant Offering was launched in July 2017, and my dream became a reality.
Has it been a smooth road?
No, not really, but I’ve found that most things that are worthwhile require a lot of work. I’ve encounter many struggles over the last couple of years. One struggle I faced was finding clean suppliers. I knew I didn’t want to create traditional candles because of the numerous health issues they cause, so I set out to make clean candles – organically-sourced coconut wax, organic essential oils, and wooden wicks. Hours upon hours of research went into developing my current supplier network.
Another obstacle I faced was insecurity. I was mocked and told that I couldn’t do this because I didn’t know how to make candles. I allowed remarks like this to squelch my dreams and my confidence. I had to push through this hurt by placing my confidence in God, in who He says I am and in what He’s called me to do. I exist for an audience of One, and I had to learn to stop seeking worth and approval from others.
To women longing to grow, develop and birth that amazing dream you’ve held onto for years, I encourage you to go for it. No matter the ridicule, no matter the excuses, no matter the lack of knowledge or resources. If you feel called to it, then look past the ridicule, stop making excuses, educate yourself and use what you’ve got. Work it, mold it and build it from the ground up. The outcome will always be worth overcoming the obstacles you face.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Fragrant Offering story. Tell us more about the business.
What sets apart Fragrant Offering from other candle shops is the quality and integrity of our products. Most traditional candles are made with paraffin wax (a cancer-causing petroleum byproduct), synthetic fragrance oils (cancer-causing substances with an average of 3,000 chemicals per fragrance), cotton wicks (usually containing an allowable amount of lead), and dyes (chemically-loaded toxins). These candles are toxic and very harmful to your health. I didn’t want my family around these types of candles and I didn’t want to expose my customers to these toxins either.
I hand pour each candle using an organically-sourced coconut wax blend (90% coconut wax, 5% palm wax, 5% soy wax). I also blend and create my own signature fragrances using organic, fair for life, pure, steam-distilled, unadulterated, undiluted therapeutic-grade essential oils. I do this by researching the scent properties of each oil and blending one or more top note, middle note, and base note to create a nice, full-bodied aroma. I chose wooden wicks because they are lead-free and have a beautiful, crackling sound. I do not use any dyes or petroleum byproducts in my candles. Clean candles for clean living is my motto.
I also recently developed and launched an aromatherapy line. The aromatherapy rollers are hand-crafted with organic essential oils and organic grapeseed oil. They have each been formulated and tested for their therapeutic qualities, and they work amazingly well!
I am also getting ready to launch my beard oil line. The initial reviews from my testers are extremely positive. Stay tuned for more on this developing product line!
Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
I grew up in a single parent household. My dad left when I was five years old, so it was my mom, sister and me for most of my life. My mom worked tirelessly to support us. She had two jobs and, oftentimes, she took on as many as 3-5 cleaning jobs in addition to her full-time jobs to make ends meet. My sister and I were always with her at work; and, when we got old enough to help out we did. My mom taught me to have a strong work ethic. Hard work is a key reason my business is succeeding and thriving today.
My mom also made work fun for us when we had to accompany her to one of her many jobs. I have tried to do the same for my kids. I work from home and care for my two young boys. Balancing time with my children and accomplishing my work can be challenging. I try to spend as much time as possible with my kids during the day and only work during their naps or after they’ve gone to bed at night; but, there are times, I simply have to work a little during the day. It’s during these times that I try to make it fun for them as my mom did for us – letting them help unpack inventory and play in the boxes, delivering candles to clients or setting up at the McKinney Farmer’s Market. I think it’s good for them to see the inner workings of a business. Who knows what they’ll grow up to be one day as a result of my hard work and diligence passed on to me by my mom!
Pricing:
- Signature Candles (prices vary) – $20-25
- Limited Edition Candles (prices vary) – $36-50
- Aromatherapy Rollers – $15
- Room Spray – $13.50
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fragrantofferingllc.com
- Phone: 214-546-4048
- Email: fragrantofferingllc@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/fragrant_offering_llc
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/FragrantOfferingLLC
Image Credit:
Mike Botkin
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