Today we’d like to introduce you to Erica Brue.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Erica. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
What started out as joke a year ago has turned into one of my favorite creative outlets and an actual business! I have always loved candles, but I would get so frustrated when I would buy one, light it and hours later forget that it was on because I couldn’t smell it!
So I decided to make my own; thinking this would be a simple task I quickly realized this was no easy feat! After months of research, lots of trial and error, and even having to rename the business – Match & Wick was born!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been a bumpy and quite often discouraging road, but I’m so grateful that I didn’t throw in the towel.
I think one of my main struggles was feeling inadequate. I don’t know the first thing about running a business, I was horrible with Science & Math and I don’t stick with things for very long because when it gets too complicated or too overwhelming – I bail! But this was something I knew I couldn’t give up on.
I’ve been blessed with a support system that kept pushing me, kept encouraging me and also kept fussing at me because I can admit I have a stubborn streak! Lol!
You see, the truth of the matter is NOBODY has it all together! We’re all out here adulting the best we can, trying to pursue our passions and keep the lights on in the process! So I had to remind myself that while I may be unqualified to run a business, the God I serve isn’t bothered one bit by my shortcomings or my inadequacies. As long as he has my “yes” all I have to do is lean in and trust him.
My advice for anyone wanting to start a business, or pursue any passion within them is – trust yourself; bet on yourself because you are far more equipped than you think you are. You DO have what it takes to be successful, no matter what that success looks like. Lean on those around you who genuinely love and support you and ignore the naysayers! Rest in knowing that the same God who gave you those passions and ideas will help you to see them come to fruition.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Well during the day I’m the Office Manager at an incredible non-profit organization called LifeHouse of Houston, when I get home I clock into my second job as an entrepreneur, (I recently launched my own line of chic, Coconut wax, hand-poured candles called Match & Wick!), and on the weekends you can find me serving on the worship team at my church – Celebration Church in The Woodlands.
I’m most proud of the way I’m embracing and enjoying this journey! I know there will be bumps in the road and challenges to face, but I can’t allow myself to be so consumed by the potential problems that I miss out on the beauty of growth in the process.
I think what sets me apart from others is my willingness to put myself out there and try new things with no certainty of the outcome! I won’t always have all the details when I take that first step, but I am sure that all the pieces will fall into place exactly as they should.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I was an only child growing up and while I had lots of friends and cousins to play with, for the most part I played alone and figured things out by myself. I was always very inquisitive and didn’t have a hard time putting myself out there if there was something I really wanted to do and I think thats still evident now!
Pricing:
- Candles are 12 oz and $18 each
Contact Info:
- Phone: 713-408-1857
- Email: matchandwickinfo@gmail.com
- Instagram: @matchandwick
Image Credit:
Destinee Lester
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