Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Koes.
Veronica, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After a trip to Paris in 2019 where I learned perfume making and fragrance blending, I started making candles. At the time, I wanted to make a gift for people going through hardships like cancer, divorce, and heartbreaks. So I came up with The Empathy Kit- a card and candle with an intention label. The candle had an intention on the label so that when the recipient lit it, the intention was put out into the universe.
Over time, the candles stood out on their own.
Flash forward to 2022 and my vision expanded to make fragrance the essential layer in the home. By incorporating my love of interior design concepts like wabi=sabi and japandi, I now make simple and sustainable concrete jars that the candles are poured into.
My line offers other handmade home decor items such as vases/reed diffusers, tea light holders, and scented rocks.
For those clients looking to elevate their homes, I will develop a custom fragrance.
My aim is to capture the intangible like intention, fragrance, and light so that my products create an experience and are not just purchased flat objects.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being a company of one has had many challenges. These are the top three.
The first is becoming an expert at EVERYTHING from learning to make a candle to creating a line to label design to website design to in-person sales – the list goes on.
Second is the physical demand on my body, particularly in the summer months when I have to make all the products, then setup/break down my booth, and keep the energy to sell. I have a disability so it takes a lot out of me.
The third greatest challenge is marketing online and on social media. It does not come naturally to me and I know this has a detrimental impact on my sales.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Forgive me if this is redundant from question one’s answer, but what sets me apart is that I aim to capture the intangible like intention, fragrance, and light so that my products create an experience and are not just a purchase.
I want to make fragrance the essential layer in the home. By incorporating my love of interior design concepts like wabi=sabi and japandi, I now make simple and sustainable concrete jars that the candles are poured into. My line offers other handmade home decor items such as vases/reed diffusers, tea light holders, and scented rocks.
I develop a custom fragrance for clients wishing to elevate their homes,
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Kelly O’Brien has been my “Tinkerbell” since day one. We have been friends for 10 years. I wanted to give up so many times, but her infectious enthusiasm, light, and support kept me going. In the beginning, she did every show with me- selling when I needed a time-out. She’s been my sounding board for every product and my #1 tester! (In fact, Kelly’s mother is another big supporter.)
My elderly, disabled mother, Pauline, supports and loves all my products. Every time I give her a candle, she just puts it in her curio and won’t burn it! There was a time when we lived together and she would help me by putting wicks in the candles.
My sister and brother-in-law are so supportive and helpful. Helping with set-ups, last-minute helping hands, and coming to shows.
I haven’t always had a vehicle and my brother Tim always loaned me a truck or van when I needed one!
My friend Rachel helps me by going to Home Depot and getting bags of concrete and sanding blocks.
My friend Elizabeth will drive the distance to help with my booth, and she’s always willing to give me impartial product feedback.
My friends, Jeff and Grant, are also wonderful helpers with my tent/booth when I’ve needed it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.candereco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theempathykit
Image Credits
Megas Daas Photography
