Today we’d like to introduce you to Patricia Hughes.
Hi Patricia, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started this candle company purely as a passion project. I was rapidly progressing in my corporate career when I began having health issues. I was forced to slow down and really assess my life and priorities. In 2017, I began researching candle making and testing as a means of dealing with the situation and to stay busy. I’ve always loved candles, so it was fun to test and create scents, play with vessels, and learn the scientific aspects of candle-making. In 2018 I took a leap of faith and started Charlie + Samantha Candle Company. This journey has been incredibly rewarding and through blood, sweat, and tears (literally), I’ve created a brand that I’m extremely proud of. Today, my candles are sold online, in a coffee/bookstore, and a local diner. I have several wholesale clients, and I’ve had the pleasure of teaching numerous STEM-based candle-making classes for Fort Worth ISD.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
To say there have been obstacles or challenges would be an understatement. During 2018 and 2019 my business was rapidly growing, and I participated in numerous merchant events to increase my reach in the city. By the end of 2019, I was pregnant with my first child who was born at 25 weeks and then the pandemic happened. It was difficult to juggle all of the sudden life changes, however, it slowed, but didn’t stop the vision for my business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create hand-poured wooden wick candles in several vessel and scent options. I love wooden wick candles because they crackle when lit and the white noise is extremely soothing. I have three scent collections that embody the spirit of the season or are curated to invoke relaxation. I pride myself in making my customers happy and providing customizations to meet their needs.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc.?
I rely heavily on my spirituality and I’m an avid reader of daily devotionals and several religious podcasts. I am a huge fan of the podcast Side Hustle Pro (Nicaila Okome) and anything by Brené Brown. My favorite books include The One Thing (Gary Keller and Jay Papasan) and Soar (T.D. Jakes).
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cscandleco.com
- Instagram: @cs_candleco
