Business Spotlight: CT River Candles

is a local business tucked away in Haddam that has gained notarity by producing a high quality product and providing excellent customer service. 

So good, in fact, that back in April, CT River Candles was selected to participate in an exclusive collaborative gift bag that was prepared especially for Sarah Jessica Parker! Talk about !

Brenda Hunter began her business back in 2007 after a "long career in the IT field." She was looking for a more rewarding career and has always been interested in crafting and working with her hands.

Making the leap into candlemaking, she says, came naturally.

Patch posed questions to Brenda Hunter about her Haddam business to get to know her better. This is what she said.

Going into business for yourself is incredibly hard. What made you take the leap?

To run your own business where you are totally responsible for its success or failure was a challenge that I felt compelled to embark on. I had the support of my husband, Alan, who owns Hunter’s Pool Center, in Yalesville. He thought I had a great idea and with his retail knowledge, I had the confidence I needed to pursue.  

I love burning candles and everyone I know loves candles. So, I begin researching and soy wax continued to be the candle of choice with its clean burning and eco-friendly properties. The rest is history.

Why did you start your business locally?

I think it’s important to have a connection to your town and community. Having my candles carried in local businesses in Haddam as well as surrounding towns is wonderful. I grew up in Centerbrook and moving to Haddam was like coming home. We love living in Haddam. Our home overlooks the Connecticut River and the candle workshop is in my home so naming my business after the river just seemed right. It’s such a beautiful resource that brings so much enjoyment to so many both in Connecticut as well as throughout New England.

How long did it take to go from idea to first customer? 

It took about a year before I began selling; starting first by giving gifts to family and friends. My first retail location was my husband’s store and now there are over twenty-five retail locations throughout Connecticut, in New Hampshire and even one in Seattle Washington.

What do you find the most rewarding about what you do? 

It’s really a labor of love when you are your own boss. It’s hard work but very rewarding when customers compliment your products and recommend you to others. Most recently, I provided candles for several bridal showers and it just felt great to have my candles selected to be part of such personal events.

When people think of your business, what sets you apart from others?   I really care about how my products are perceived and that the quality and time that has been put into making them shows. There’s a lot of competition in the candle industry but I’m proud to have so many repeat customers and to have many of the same retailers I began with 5 years ago. I’ve met so many great people. One of my first customers, a Haddam resident who I won’t mention by name, has become one of my best friends. She saw an ad I had placed in the bulletin and called me to order some candles and we just hit it off. I owe a lot to her for helping to market my candles.

What's the most important ingredient to your success?  

Two things, a Quality Product and Customer Service. You need to have both.  Customers want to know what they’re buying, that it is made well and that it is made locally is very important. Customers love that my products are made in Connecticut and the name says it. There are so many products that are mass produced and imported from overseas. Customers are realizing that part of keeping the economy moving in a state means you have to support the businesses in the state. 

What are you doing to attract and retain your customers during the economic recession? 

I’m trying to offer sales and incentives as much as I can utilizing Facebook and Newsletter emails. I always tell my customers to keep an eye on Facebook because that is where I post coupon codes and other announcements first. I also try to buy my supplies in larger quantities to keep down shipping costs and to take advantage of lower pricing. Because of this, I haven’t had to pass on higher costs to my customers.

What's the biggest challenge you face in your business today? 

The economy. Let’s face it, consumers can live without candles. Many people are having a hard time making ends meet with the unemployment numbers and the costs of food and gas. This means small businesses have to work harder to keep afloat. All the more reason to make sure that the product you are selling is worth the price because everyone is working extra hard for their money.

What's your best advice for someone looking to start his or her own business? 

I put a lot of time in researching the product I was creating but probably not enough time into a business plan. I seriously didn’t even think to see what other candle companies were located in Connecticut or what products they sold.  I have been fortunate that I have held my own and then some, but my advice would be to do that research because you can be sure your competitors know of you and keeping an eye on your progress. I would also tell someone that that starting your own business is expensive and not to expect to make a profit for sometime.

Where would you like your business to be in five years? 

Thriving and growing and being more well known both in Connecticut, throughout New England and farther. It always catches me by surprise now when someone tells me they’ve heard of my candles and they love them or they saw them at a store or a friend’s house. It’s really an awesome feeling and kind of addicting truthfully. So in five years I’m hoping there’s more of that recognition especially in our great town and state.

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Business name:CT River Candles

Owner: Brenda Hunter

Business Address: 1184 Saybrook Road, Haddam, CT  06438

Hours of Operation: Online sales 24x7

Phone: 860-554-5015

Webpage/Facebook/Twitter:  http://www.ctrivercandles.com    http://facebook.com/ctrivercandles  http://twitter.com/ctrivercandles

Founding/Opening Date:  September 2007

Type of business:  Soy Candles offered in several jar styles. In addition to soy candles, we offer, Soy Melts and Tarts, Candle Accessories as well as Soy Wax Plush Dog and Cat Air Fresheners. All candles are hand poured using 100% soy wax in my home workshop studio located on the Connecticut River.

Our products are available online as well as at a variety of retail stores which are listed on our website. There are two Haddam locations carrying our candles, and s. Our candles are also a popular choice for fundraising events as well as for bridal and wedding favors.