Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamee.
Tamee, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I wanted to start my own business and stop working for other companies. When I started Good Lather Soaps, I started out selling bar soaps, foaming hand soaps, and a few candles that I would purchase and resell. I would set up at events and festivals on the weekends while working my full-time job during the week. After a year and a half, I was finally ready to quit my full-time time and focus on my business. By this time I was making my own candles and wax melts to sell, while my husband made the soaps, and had a good understanding of which event to do.
After three years of events, I was ready to make the leap into opening a retail store.
My company started in my kitchen, then took over my living room, and eventually moved everything into the garage.
When opening up Duckies Candles & Friends retail store, I wanted a unique store with a room full of rubber ducks.
The number one question I get asked is why ducks. The duck started as a duck on my logo, because ducks like water and you use soaps in water. After taking a few rubber ducks to events for display, I found out it was a jeep thing and everyone loves rubber ducks. Rubber duck stores are popular in Europe. I love how people come into the store, go straight to the duck room and their eyes light up like its Christmas.
The store also offers soaps made by my husband, and candles hand poured by me. Duckies also have local items, such as popcorn, lotion, artwork, quilts, and Nashville souvenirs.
When I came up with the idea of creating and starting my own company, I never dreamed it would grow into what it is today.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road. Giving up my full-time job and income was not easy. Candle making took a while to perfect. The candles I first started making are a lot different than the candles I sell today. Same with soaps. It took a while for my husband to figure out the “Perfect” soap formula, and he keeps tweaking it to make it better.
It took time to figure out which events are “my people”, and what soaps and candles sold in which area.
The retail store will be open 1 year this December. It has also been a learning curve to figure out what does and does not sell. Marketing the retail store was a lot easier to figure out than online marketing.
Budgeting is not easy when you are in your store for the first year. You are forecasting what you hope you will do in sales while budgeting enough for expenses and inventory.
The key is to not give up and look at the bigger picture down the road where you hope you will be.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Duckies Candles & Friends?
Duckies Candles & Friends has the largest selection on Rubber Ducks in Nashville. If someone is looking for a duck that I do not offer, I always offer to order it if I am able. Duckies is turning into a destination store, with people coming from all over the world.
I am known for my hand poured soy candles. There is a loyal following that buys my candles. Customers tell me the scents are “spot on”, the candles burn longer than other candles, and you can smell them in the whole room, not just when you are next to them.
I specialize in making candles with your business logo and make a candle with any scent you would like.
Duckies is a unique store from the Tikis to the Pecan soda. The store is filled with local, and small business items that are not found in big box stores.
I am proud to have Rubber Ducks that make people smile when they see the display, and to have customers that come back with family members when they visit Nashville.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Join the Chamber. I belong to the White House Chamber of Commerce, and the Portland Chamber of Commerce. They have been there and supported me since my business was just an idea I was thinking about. They promoted my business, supported me, offered advice and really helped with my journey to where I am today.
Network within these Chambers and get to know the members. Be involved, show up, and support others.
Talk to others that are doing what you do. They may be your competition, but they can also support you and offer helpful advice.
Pricing:
- Candles $14.00 to $25.00
- Rubber Ducks $2.00 to $20.00
- Soaps $6.49
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.DuckiesCandlesAndFriends.com
- Instagram: Duckies Candles & Friends
- Facebook: Good Lather Soaps LLC
- Other: www.tripadvisor.com Duckies Candles & Friends
