Rising Stars: Meet Curteshia Doggett

Today we’d like to introduce you to Curteshia Doggett.

Hi Curteshia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Curteshia Dogget and I am the owner and founder of Lavish Scent Candle Co., located in Memphis TN, in the heart of the Hickory Hill area. First, I would like to tell you what inspired me to start my own candle company.

One day, my best friend Erica Cathey and I were having a seafood boil on my patio, and we started talking about a popular social media star that made one million dollars in her first year of business. Her family and friends worked for her for free for one full year and helped her to achieve her one-million-dollar goal.

The story was so inspiring, and I wanted to see how quickly I can make one million dollars. It was the weekend before Mother’s Day, and I brainstormed business ideas all weekend, suddenly it hit me. I thought to myself, “what if I started making scented candles”.

My son, Lawrenzo was 3 years old at the time and we used to walk inside department stores once a week to smell and purchase scented candles for our home. Due to the pandemic, we could no longer go into stores, and I thought it would be a great idea to start making our own candles.

After researching and studying how to make candles all weekend, I started ordering candle supplies by that Monday. By that Wednesday all supplies were in, and I started making candles. I decided to name my company, Lavish Scent Candle Co. I made about fifteen candles and decided to make Mother’s Day candle boxes and candle baskets. I posted the boxes and baskets on my social media page that Friday and I instantly had over forty orders.

I called my best friend over and we made all boxes and baskets in one night. The next day my old classmate Ladia Yates let me set up at her studio to do pickup orders. On May 8, 2020, I started selling candles for the very first time and I made over $1200 in less than 3 hours which was equivalent to my one-week paycheck at my job. I continued to work my job to help fund my business.

On August 27, 2020, I stepped out of faith and quit my career as an Inventory Control Specialist. I continued to sell candles out of my home and one day I decided it was time for a new location. On June 5, 2021, I had my grand opening at my storefront Lavish Scent Candle Co.

We are located at 3711 Hickory Hill Rd in Memphis TN. We make the best candles in Memphis. Our candles have a strong hot throw and cold throw. Our candles also last longer than most candles on the market. We use a para soy blend which helps our candles burn slow and even around the candle vessel.

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.

Just like with any business you have your peak seasons, and you have your slow seasons. I had to make sure we produce and manage well during our peak season so that we were not affected by low sales during our slow season.

Also, as the business grew, I knew I had to hire more employees which were extremely hard to do because I knew we would need to keep increasing sales to continue to add more employees.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We sell the best wick candles in Memphis but what makes us stand out the most is our specialty candles. We specialize in food candles that look like cereal bowls, cupcakes, donuts, ice cream, and more.

Our candles have a strong and long-lasting scent throw. With each purchase, we do a one-minute candle care course with each customer to ensure they know how to properly take care of their candles and how to make them last longer.

We also supply each customer with a candle care card and a special Thank You Note. Customers love how we take our time demonstrating how to cut the candle wicks. They leave out happy and overly excited each time. I am most proud of how our customers always compliment how clean and welcoming our store and staff are.

We also host fun candle-making classes for birthdays, girl’s nights, couples’ nights, and more. On weekends we use our venue as a rental space for other events such as Bridal Parties, Birthday Dinners, Graduation Dinners, and more.

Booking is available on our website at www.lavishscentcandleco.com.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My Store Manager and Best friend Erica Cathey has played a major part in my business. She manages everything from start to finish when I am away.

My two employees, Quaterria Doggett and Daniesha Woods work my weekend events and they both are a great asset.

My Business Coach, Deb Lester with “Conquer” has given me so much knowledge when it comes to content and how to make profits to help scale my business and take it to the next level.

My mentor Tenesa Billingsley with “T Rochell Events” has helped me with everything I know pertaining to events and planning.

My supporter Jenni Graham with “Brand Boss” has also given me valuable information pertaining to branding for my business.

Pricing:

• One week candles are $15 each or 3 for $40
• Specialty candles start at $20
• Three wick candle bowls are $28
• Wax melts start at $7
• Candles Classes for a party of 10 start at $500

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lavishscentcandleco.com
• Instagram: @lavishscentcandleco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LavishScentCandle

Image Credits
Greg Moore Photography