Today we’d like to introduce you to Zvestly Plantin.
Hi Zvestly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Candle making started out as hobby while dealing with different aspects of my mental health, a global pandemic, post-grad difficulties, and other personal struggles. It quickly became an outlet for me which helped me deal with my anxiety. Despite the frustrations, I really enjoyed learning how to make each candle. After positive feedback and words of encouragement from family and friends, I decided to turn this hobby into a business.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has not been a smooth road at all. Although certain things has come easily, others have not. I think the biggest struggle so far was the candle making learning process. It took a lot of testing to get it right and to my liking. I’m a perfectionist so I wanted to make sure everything was exactly as I envisioned before giving it to anyone else. This also required a lot of time, money and patience. I had to try different waxes, wicks, dyes, and fragrances. This also included conducting burn tests to see how the candles burn. I gave my friends and family test candles to get feedback and criticism. I was really worried about whether the candles were potent enough because after a while, I couldn’t really smell them as much. I guess my nose had gotten used to the fragrances.
After launching, I think I would say that marketing and getting my business out there has also been a struggle. It is definitely a learning process and takes a lot of networking. I sometimes struggle with asking for help so reaching out to people and other brands is stepping out of my comfort zone for me. However, I learned that being consistent is the most important thing. But also, remain on brand. By that, I mean, don’t just post to post. No content is better than mediocre content so I definitely go for quality over quantity with everything.
We’ve been impressed with XYZee Candles, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I specialize in candle making, our candles are handmade with premium wax, lead and zinc free wicks, and 100% phthalate-free fragrance oils. Each candle is carefully measured, colored, and fragranced by hand. XYZee Candles uses enhancers and essential oils in our candles with the goal of aiding our customers with self-care, healing and resilience. I would say my brand is known for how potent the candles are. That is the thing that I get the most feedback on. Customers often comment on how good the candles smell and how the scents easily and quickly take over the room. I think the thing that sets me apart the most is that I do everything myself. I designed my own product labels, I designed my website, I take my product pictures, I make and package everything myself. I just recently started to reach out to people that are professionals in what they do (other black-owned businesses).
So my official logo was designed by a black-owned business (@queenofgraphics), I have a friend of mine working on product photoshoot for me (@jugojames). But basically, I started out by myself because this brand is my baby so I had to find people I trust to help me with different aspects of it. I don’t think that I have a specific thing that I’m most proud of brand wise. I am proud of my brand as a whole and that it even exists. I love that it serves its purpose and each candle helps others the way they helped me. I’m proud of myself for bringing it to life and maintaining it. I would like the readers to know that when I say that my products are handmade with love, I truly mean that. I genuinely enjoy what I do, I love making candles. I look forward to restock time because I know I’ll have a little extra thing to add as a form of self-care. Cause for me, candle making is a self-care activity.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
My name is Zvestly but everyone calls me “Zee”. I prefer it because not many people can pronounce my name correctly. I am 23 years old, Haitian and a recent college graduate. So XYZee Candles is not only black-owned, it is also woman-owned and Haitian-owned. Also, I want readers to remember that dark times don’t last forever and sometimes you go through them in order to be redirected and molded. If it weren’t for my dark times and dealing with anxiety and post-grad depression, XYZee Candles probably wouldn’t be here right now. I was looking for something to help alleviate my anxiety and silence my overthinking brain and turned to candle making. So if you’re in a dark place, KEEP GOING!
Pricing:
- 8oz Candles – $20
- Wax Melts – $7
- Wick Clippers – $10
- Holiday Gift Set – $35
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: xyzeecandles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xyzeecandles/?igshid=1avb8f2ht1ng5
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xyzeecandles/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/xyzeecandles?s=21
Image Credits
Malcolm Walker (@jugojames)
