Meet Dina Muzzy from Sweet Light Candle Co.
♥ Please tell us about yourself:
I am the proud mother of a 5 month old baby girl! I just turned 40 last May and I'm originally from New York. I currently reside in South Florida with my husband Dave and my daughter, Alora. I attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where I received an Associates Degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and an Associates degree in Display and Exhibit Designing. After years of being employed in the creative and corporate worlds, I began my own business of designing and creating custom invitations. My customers loved the invitations and continuously asked me to create a unique favor. They were bored with the standard wedding, shower and party favors, especially when they had one of a kind invitations. I decided to combine my love of baking, desserts and candles and try my hand at creating these unique Gourmet Dessert Candles. Well, it was so much more difficult than I thought! I had never made candles before, not even jar candles. Months and months of research and product testing developed into a passion which evolved into Sweet Light Candle Co. Although I loved designing the invitations, I found my niche in the candle world and decided to create these candles exclusively. Not only do I enjoy creating the candles, I enjoy the freedom I have of being able to set my own schedule each day and juggle being a mom, wife, daughter and business owner. I look forward to many years of creating fabulous Dessert Candles and watching my daughter grow up into the person she will become.
♥ How long have you been in business?
Sweet Light Candle Co. was born in January 2011
♥ Please describe your business:
All of my Gourmet Scented Dessert Candles and Wax Melts are made by me in my candle bakery. Combining the highest quality wax and fragrance, and with careful attention to every creative detail, they all look as good as they smell. They look so realistic you might even be tempted to take a bite! We are currently a small family involved incorporated business but plan on growing it into a huge success!
♥ Tell us what inspires you:
My inspiration comes in many forms. Whether it's strolling through a bakery, seeing a picture of a mouthwatering dessert, or chatting with my customers. My creative juices flow and I'm constantly thinking "how can I make that dessert into a candle?".
♥ Please share with others, your best marketing techniques:
I've found that social internet sites like Facebook and Twitter, as well as being a part of a group like Sampler Village, have helped spread the word about my company bringing me new and repeat customers. Providing customers with small samples of my candles allows me to introduce them to my business without spending a fortune on advertising.
♥ What do you love most about your business?
It's definitely the creative aspect. I've always been creative and business minded, but I'm happiest being creative. I love thinking about new candles to add to my product line, and I get excited when I've developed the perfect candle recipe for that new item.
♥ Please tell us why have chosen Craft Café as a venue for your business?
Being a part of Sampler Village and knowing Traci is in charge of Craft Cafe was just another opportunity for me to be a part of the amazing community of artisans she has gathered. Craft Cafe is easy to navigate through as a seller, from listing my items, to editing them, posting sales and special offers. And the infinite amount of hours Traci and her team put into advertising Craft Cafe and getting exposure for all of the shops is a bonus. Plus I like being able to add as many products as I want without extra fees.
♥ What advice can you give for crafters/artisans just starting out?
Create what you love. If your passionate about your products it will show and your customers will become passionate too. You also have to be able to change and evolve as your business grows. Test out a new product before dumping tons of money into creating it. Try out different avenues of marketing and advertising. Some things will work and some won't. Don't become fixated on having to do things a certain way because it's working for another business. It's all a learning process until you find out what works for your particular product.
♥ Where do you see your business in 5 years?
I am diligently working on growing by business, gaining new customers and adding new items to my product line so I will be able to move it out of my home and into a commercial work space. As my business grows, I would love to contribute more to the various charities and groups in my community. I'd like Sweet Light Candle Co. to be known not only for fabulous, high quality Dessert Candles, but being involved in the community and helping others.
♥ Lastly, would you like to offer our readers a special or coupon code for your Craft Cafe shop?
Yes. Use the coupon code SWEET2013 to enjoy 10% off my entire Craft Cafe Shop. {Expires 3.31.13}
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We would like to send out a big THANK YOU to Dina for all her love and support.
Be sure to visit Sweet Light Candle Co. soon ♥ ♥ Craft Cafe Shop / Facebook / Twitter / Pinterest / Website
