Today we’d like to introduce you to Ebonee Johnson.
Hi Ebonee, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my candle business back in March 0f 2020 right when the pandemic started. I woke up one morning thinking about the amount of money I spend on candles and decided to YouTube how to make candles on my own. I instantly thought this couldn’t be that hard, so I ordered everything the YouTuber said to order and was ready to go. I got my things and made my first candle. It was so easy, I THOUGHT! I kept a candle and gave one to a friend. I burned that candle to the core and I didn’t smell ANYTHING. My friend said she didn’t smell anything. So, I tried again and boom you could actually smell why candle, so I THOUGHT! I quickly created a website, and launched my new candle line “E LUX CANDLE CO” it was so thrown together and horrible. I was so happy to be finally doing something that I would enjoy but that quickly came to an end when I made maybe 7 sales in 3 months. I got discouraged and closed my business. I threw all my candle supplies in a closet and never looked back. Fast forward to July 2021. A friend of mine called and asked how hard is it to make candles, we chit chat about it and at the end of the discussion she said “well can you find out how to make them better so you can help me launch my wellness line” and of course, I said yes. I got on YouTube and eventually came across someone that did 1on1 candle classes.
I was so excited to be learning from someone that had been making candles for years and knew exactly what she was doing. I took the candle class and boom I made my first candle that actually smelled good cold and hot! I instantly went home spent about $200 on candle supplies and went to work. I tested different wicks, waxes, and jars to make sure I had the perfect hot and cold throw. Even then I had someone to show me everything about candles I felt like I owed it to myself to find out more about candles on my own since my first launch was a flop. I tested candles for 4 months and on December 19 (my birthday) I launched my baby, BRANDED BY E! I worked so hard on my branding; I was excited to show the world everything I worked on. Things have been easy. There has been month when I get 10 plus orders and months where I don’t get a single order but this time I won’t give up! I’m working on being consistent and my branding. I’ve been doing as many pop-up shops as possible and I’ve been killing it!! I think this go round I’m more into doing something that I actually enjoy doing, versus doing something because of the money. We are working on growing. I want to eventually be able to have so many orders I have to move into a building because my living room candle holds everything! Branded by E is not just a candle company but also a custom t-shirt company! I decided to drop the candle co. On most things, because I plan on expanding my business to more than just candles!
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?
No, it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had candles that didn’t smell like anything when you lit them. But when I launched my business for the second time, I actually took my time and perfected my craft.
My biggest struggle was making sure I followed my formula with every candle. Sometimes I would be moving so fast that I would forget how much wax I melted or would add the incorrect fragrance oil to the wax. Not is ever easy in life, the main thing is I never gave up and I learned from my mistakes.
We’ve been impressed with Branded by E, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My brand is my baby. Sometimes I can neglect her but she means so much to me because I really work hard with what I do.
Whether it’s candles or t-shirts. My business offers different sizes of candles, wax melts, room sprays, and hand soaps with everything being under $20. Also, custom-made t-shirts. I am currently working on perfecting a few other items. All my candles, sprays, and hand soaps are non-toxic, all-natural, and paraben free!
How do you define success?
Success is being happy with where or who you are.
Having money doesn’t always mean you are successful. I am successful because I have finally found something that makes me happy. Regardless if my business doesn’t make any money this month, I’m still successful because I finally accomplished something that I’ve been trying to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.brandedbye.co
- Instagram: @brandedby.e_
