Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelson Javier Ruiz-Parada.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Nelson. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My story begins in Venezuela, where I come from, there I was known as Nelson and others like Javier Parada, the fashion designer. I designed and sold leather bags. I was doing it for five years before coming to the United States. I decided to leave my country because the political, economic and social situation of Venezuela forced me to leave my dreams behind, everything became chaos and Venezuelans did not think about buying a nice bag because they would not have to eat later, so many businesses closed. Many people fleeing that sought refuge in other nations. I decided to come to the United States because I think it’s a beautiful country full of opportunities. Here I started working from sales in shopping center kiosks, through restaurant kitchens, to not sleeping for several days doing set up and breakdown events such as weddings and special parties. After two and a half years, I met a wonderful person who helped me with many of the things I have done today, my husband.
My small candle business starts when I start buying soy candles on pop-ups. I always liked them because my mother made candles and used incenses, among other things, to perfume the home. Then one day, my husband told me, do you know that you can do that? And I said yes? How? And one day a kit to make candles came to my house, he gave it to me, and from there I began to investigate more about natural candles. The idea moved me a lot because I thought that I could start something here that I could do myself and use my marketing skills. I started doing my experiments, and after trying several materials and techniques I got the right recipe, this took me a few months. I started with the design part, I designed several labels, I would say many, until I get it now, after going to the photos, take them and edit and then the website, thank God my little knowledge in design and photography that I obtained in my university career, helped with this process. Already having this ready came the other important face, selling, I started with friends and then was researching to be in these small markets called pop-ups, the first one had a lot of nerves, for my English and sales, but little by little I left getting used to Today after a year and a half with my little brand, I can say that many people are happy with their candles, they love the aromas and have had a good experience with my small space in the markets, I always try to transmit a good energy, talk with them, know their suggestions so that every day improve. I dream of becoming an important fragrance studio in Texas, then in all the United States, and why not? In the world. Some aromas remind us of moments, experiences of the past, so I would say that I wish that many create their own moments with my essences and so in the future cricket stone always be remembered.
WHY CRICKET STONE? My parents’ dream was to return to their village, where they were born once they retired. For over fifteen years they were building a house located on top of a mountain, an idea that at first, I did not like because I thought, we will live apart from everyone, but with the years I understood that this house would give us beautiful experiences and a lot of tranquility. At night you could hear a great ceremony made by the characteristic noise of crickets, many of them could be seen in the day, and many were just heard at night. There was a time that one of my cousins (a little girl) saw a cricket on a stone and said to my father: Look uncle! “la piedra del grillo” (The Cricket Stone) my father liked it and since then its been the name by which they baptized that memorable house.
Great, 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?
I could say that it has been a little hard, because I had to know this culture very well, What people like and what no, is never the same when you start something in one area where you know the people, their culture, their taste and more. Another thing is my English, sometimes it has been a little problem, every day I learn something new. As to create the candles I need to make and take many measures, it was hard to me at the beginning to calculate with the measures of here, inches, ounces and more also knowing about suppliers and shipping companies, it has been a bit difficult,. Still, I am already improving With all that.
Please tell us about Cricket Stone.
Cicket stone is a small brand that wants to become a fragrance studio. We could say that we were born in the month of October of the year 2018. We thrive to enhance aromas by which your soul and senses can connect. At the moment, we offer a hand-poured 100% natural soy candles and our incense sticks. Our inspiration grows by the essences that Mother Earth offers in its mountains, forests, gardens, lakes, rivers, beaches, deserts and jungles. As a new growing brand, we work every day to have more product availability. Don’t forget to add your email and we will make sure you are the first one to know about new things coming up!
Me, I have a degree in social communication, I have worked in sales, photography, design, I love the world of marketing and social networks. Here, apart from my business, I work part-time at a clothing store, and now I am starting a small make-up course, they are things that I wanted to do, but that I could not do in the past, I do not know if in the future I dedicate myself to that, but what I do know is that I want to work for me.
I can say that I am proud to have been able to create a concept with my brand, many people like my set up, the labels of my candles, the names on them, the packaging and I think that makes me feel good because that has made me Taken a little dedication, all to offer a unique and quality product.
I could say that my way the way that I am with clients, I like to be attentive and open to all their questions and concerns, it is very important for me to have a special experience. On the other hand in the aspect of brand identity, I am trying to create a concept that stands out among others, so I focus a lot on creating a good set up in pop-ups, I pay attention to details such as bags, packaging and more. I carefully choose the fragrances to use in my candles, always to offer interesting and unique aromas or that remind us of specific spaces or situations, for example, “The Forest” is an essence that makes me feel in a forest surrounded by pine trees, “Caribbean Cocktail” makes you remember those aromas of refreshing drinks we drink when we are on the beach. It is these small details that differ from other brands.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I have many, but I would say those beautiful moments that I shared with my family and friends in my country. Those Christmas parties together, those afternoons are sitting on the couch of a friend talking and laughing, those walks to the mountains and beaches. My childhood was full of joys and special moments, I was always re-empowered by people who loved me even to this day, and I thank God always.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.cricketstone.com
- Email: info@cricketstoneshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cricketstoneshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cricketstoneshop
Image Credit:
My personal photo for: Daniel Hernandez @dhproducer
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