Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Long.
Hi Angela, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always loved candles and started making them initially just for my own enjoyment. I was a special education teacher at the time, and to say the least, I was exhausted by the time I got home.
Burning candles created the mood in my home that I desired to help me relax. However, I realized that I was spending too much money on candles and decided to make my own. When I began my research on the candle industry, I became disheartened when I found out about the “gray” area of candle production.
Many candles contained undesirable ingredients and other brands had a lack of transparency. Companies are not required by law to reveal their ingredients, which was a red flag for me. In 2015, I began the journey to create a clean candle that I can be assured is not harmful to me and my family.
An abundance of research and testing was done before I took the leap. I started sharing my passion with family and friends and from that, Simone & Company was established in 2017. I’m kind of a minimalist; and that is reflected in my brand- Simone & Co.®
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth but definitely been a learning experience. Making candles as a hobby is much different than running a reputable business. I had to learn how to be a business owner, which is something I will never stop learning.
The COVID pandemic brought its own sets of challenges that I had never experienced. As a result of a reduction in U.S. production and shipping of raw materials, I was faced with many tough decisions. From that, I think some level of ingenuity was developed which helped me to grow my business acumen.
I also faced the challenge of understanding how to protect my work and my brand. Unfortunately, I had to learn the hard way and lost a product name because I did not protect it. I am grateful for all of these experiences and the lessons learned that make me better.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We specialize in creating quality vegan scented candles and wax melts at an affordable price. Everybody deserves a great candle! We have a range of fragrances and something for everyone. So, whatever your style is, from jogging pants to stilettos, we have a fragrance for you.
I am proud that all of our products are handcrafted using phthalate-free and paraben-free ingredients. Why is this important? We remove ingredients that are potentially harmful. Some candle additives, while increasing the scent throw, also increase the pollutants you breathe in. That’s what makes Simone & Co.® different, we promote our mission to lessen the impact on the environment.
This is why we make the choice to use eco-friendly packaging and sustainable coconut wax. Consumers are smart and many are looking for alternatives to a better candle that fits their lifestyle and values.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I’m definitely a foodie, so food is at the top of my list of things I like about this city. I dislike crime the most. Memphis is a great city that is often overshadowed by its crime statistics.
Contact Info:
- Email: angela@simonecandles.com
- Website: www.simonecandles.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/simone_companycandles
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/simoneandcompanycandles/
