It's been a bit since I shared anything here with everyone, as life has been, well, crazy. I officially have one thing off my plate and in April, I will walk the stage in Bowling Green and receive my diploma for my Bachelors. It feels like it took me forever and also went by in a blink of an eye. I can't lie when I say I am very proud of myself. I wanted to meet this goal for so long and told myself if it didn't happen by the time I was 40, it just wasn't going to happen. I will be doing it just 8 months shy of my self-imposed (and absolutely unnecessary deadline).
I would be lying if I said business has been slow, not just for me, but everyone in our little town. People are flocking to big box stores for convenience and I'd be lying if I said the Amazon delivery driver visits my house often, again it's convenient. When I started ISFH, I had certain things I was steadfast one. At lot of, "I will never" and "I will always". While the "I will always" hasn't changed, there is an "I will never" that is going to be changing.
I want candle making to be an experience and I realize that it doesn't always look the way to me that it might to some of you. I wanted to be different, and with that my stubbornness has shown it's true face. I have learned that what makes our (yes, OUR) store so different isn't just because of our products and our candle making parties. It's because of all of you, that take the time out of your day, deal with the terrible parking downtown, brave the weather and spend your time browsing our store.
For the 19 months we've been open, we have people coming in almost every day, asking to make a candle. We are always patient, directing to the website and telling them about all the fun they will have at one of our parties. (I mean wine AND one of Courtney's amazing charcuterie boards?!?!?!) What we have learned, and maybe it's been the hard way, is that people don't always have the funds or time for an event. You are in a rush, balancing families, jobs and all the eight million other hats you wear. A candle experience doesn't have to be a two hour event, filled with yummy food and delicious wine. It can be a few minutes to yourself, creating something of your own desire. A moment of peace when we all so desperately need it. (I don't know about you, but have any of us really recovered from 2020 yet?)
So what does this mean for all of you? Effective April 15th, we will now be offering drop-in candle making. It will be affordable, too. For $10, plus the cost of your candle (anywhere from $3-$25 -- you choose), you can have a lovely candle all of your creating. You can come in, make a candle or two and go about your day. We will babysit your candle while it sets and send you an email or text when it is ready to pick up. Easy peasy lemon squeezy! It is our intention to always have this available, as we want it to be as convenient as possible for you.
A big reason why we started only doing the candle parties is because I felt I needed to be present for them and I still do. However, our Alliyah has really learned the ropes as well as our other employees and they are more than competent to walk you through making the most amazing candle ever. I know some of you may be worried. Will we still do candle parties? And the answer is HECK YES!! I could never give those up. I love meeting and connecting with all of you. It's where my true passion is and will always be. We will still have candle party dates available as well as be able to host your parties.
If you made it this far in my rambling, thank you. We are in a hard season, but I truly believe this too shall pass (and hopefully not like a kidney stone because OUCH)!
Sending love & light,
Julia