Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashton Thompson.
Hi Ashton, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My start as a chandler was somewhat of an accident. I started in early 2020, I had been in Emergency Services for a little over 8 years and was struggling with my mental health. My therapist at the time had me look into hobbies that would help release me from the job and allow me to have adequate home and family time. I had honestly lost hope and thought to myself it would just add to my plate and stress me out more emotionally and financially, but I gave it a shot. Next couple of days at work I would read some blogs here and there on things, search the internet for “relaxing hobbies”, but nothing really fit. One day, I came across an article on Facebook and clicked a link embedded in it. That link took me down the deep dark rabbit hole of Pinterest. About 2 hours later, I had placed an order for roughly $200 worth of candle making supplies. I was oddly surprised at the excitement that built up as I waited for my supplies to be delivered. I had always been one to dabble in candle buying here and there. I was often characterized as “the one who always smelt so good.” Smells were important to me, in my house, in my vehicle, and on me. For the first 3-4 months, I made candles mostly for myself; 1 pour pitcher at a time on my kitchen stove. I had made it a ritual: get off work, drink a coffee, make a candle, and go to sleep/start my day. The serenity in melting the wax and the precise measuring and stirring in the fragrance… My therapist was right, it really helped me disconnect work life from home life.
My friends and family slowly caught wind of this new hobby and a little at a time would buy one or two of me. Well, like the saying goes “telephone, telegraph, tell a firefighter”, word got around quickly and about a year later I had at least $100 worth of orders every month. My little hobby turned out to be something I was actually halfway decent at. I had started slowly with Etsy but quickly realized I needed to build my own website.
I invested in a URL, a website, and a bulk amount of supplies. Since I now offered shipping, my reach now extended to even more family and friends.
Then one day, I offered to donate a basket of my candles to a church fundraiser. Two sisters, actually that lived in my neighborhood, were interested in them. They were starting a small boutique type gift shop in my local town of Willis; they asked if I would be interested in renting a booth to sell my candles. I thought on it, did the math on it, prayed on it, and decided to take the leap and accepted their offer. Their shop was opening in less than 3 months so I buckled down and started making candles everyday. Fast forward to the night before opening day at the shop, 8/6/2021. I had made 66 candles, labeled, and priced; ready to sell. After the first week of the store opening, I was down to 23… My little pour pitcher double boiler was no match for the demand I had now. I then invested in a wax melter that melted ~45 pounds of wax at a time. My hobby had now turned into a fulfilling joyful business.
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?
It has not always been smooth waters. Unknown to most, it takes extensive testing to produce a proper candle. This took a lot of my free time which in turn took a beating to my relationship and family life. I had to learn to balance work life, relationship, family, and now a new business. Also financially it was a strain. Starting a new business right before COVID hit was rough. The supply chain issues that the US ran into with the shortage of toilet paper, and chicken…It trickled into the candle business as well. It began to get tough to find the supplies needed. When they were in stock, the prices were doubled and shipping costs were outrageous. It threw a wrench in my entire business plan. I had to adapt, overcome, and plan a little more in advance. With a slight change in branding, we made it through and now have 2-3 suppliers as backups.
Making candles started as a hobby to help with my PTSD and Depression. It didn’t cure it. At times during this business journey, I would also fight against the illness. It would hinder meeting deadlines, ordering supplies on time, and canceling markets.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My “9-5” isn’t making candles. In fact, I work a 24-hour shift. When I started making candles, I was a full-time 911 Paramedic for Montgomery County. My passion has always been to help others and to bring joy and happiness to everyone I encounter. I always get asked, “isn’t being a paramedic so hard?” And the answer is yes, at times it’s hard but most of the time it’s very fulfilling. I have met some very interesting people who have lived an adventurous life and I have learned so much from many of my patients. To listen to their stories of life, love, and happiness genuinely brought me a warming joy. Making candles does the same. Experts say the memories associated with smells tend to be older and thought about less often, meaning the recollection is very vivid when it happens.
The greatest part of my job as a chandler is hearing people’s stories of the memories of their grandma’s house or the memory of their late daughter’s perfume. That’s why I make candles, to bring a smile to people’s face when they walk into that room or through the front door to their house. That’s what I want to achieve with each scent that I pour into the wax.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
There are many Facebook groups that extend a wealth of knowledge and resources for making candles.
In my free time and during my drive to work, I listen to a podcast on self worth, and inspiration, motivation, direction, and focus; The Mindset Mentor. It really keeps me on track with my drive to be successful in my professional life and personal life.
Pricing:
- $26 for 12oz candle – all natural wood wick and coconut soy wax
- $16 for 7oz candle – all natural wood wick and coconut soy wax
Contact Info:
- Email: 3cscents@gmail.com
- Website: 3cscents.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/3c_scents
- Facebook: facebook.com/3cscents
