Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Madriz.
Hi Natalie, 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?
I work full-time as a licensed mental health provider and like many others, during the pandemic, I became restless and needed a creative outlet. I always had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur and played around with candle making before. Drawing inspiration from my home state of California, I came up with the business name, and concept, went online, filed for an LLC and began ordering supplies to start testing and making samples.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting a business is fairly simple—but maintaining a business is never an easy feat. The part that I find the most enjoyable is creating. I love that I work alone and can move at my own pace and make all of the decisions from brand colors, scent choices and overall aesthetics. However, along with that is also the challenge of not having a team. I have done everything from designing my website, managing the books, making candles, marketing, packaging and shipping and ordering supplies. I got my biggest order a few months ago for 800 candles—a challenge that I welcomed. I had to take a week off of my day job, and with some help, I was able to complete the order in 9 days. Some of my major challenges have been doing everything out of my home and not having a graphic designer and marketing team. I feel that with these missing pieces, I could easily scale my business.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have been a licensed clinical social worker since 2014. As of now, I work full-time in the public sector and also have a part-time private practice. In my full-time position, I work with severely mentally ill people who are in need of incarceration alternatives. I screen them, enroll them in services and monitor them throughout their course of treatment. Being in this role is challenging because this population is in high need and there aren’t enough adequate programs in our communities to help them. Despite these challenges, many of my clients have had many success stories. I absolutely love helping others, particularly in a clinical capacity. I feel that it is my calling and I am so fortunate that I have had the opportunity to make it my career. I am proud that I have earned an advanced degree and become an expert in my field. This is not something that I envisioned as a young person, but this is where my journey led me. Because I am so passionate about my work, I am able to connect with all of my clients right away. They can sense safety with me and know that I am there to help. Getting to know someone on such an emotionally intimate level is a privilege that I don’t take lightly.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Trust yourself more and follow your intuition at all times, a life with great reward requires focus, commitment and dedication, honor your voice and speak your truth at all times, learn how to communicate assertively, self-love and giving yourself grace builds strength, viewing missteps as learning opportunities not mistakes, utilizing your support system when needed, a good self-care routine is crucial, ask for help in your weak moments, tunnel vision when it comes to focusing on your goals, good work/life balance is key, slow and steady wins the race and don’t care what anyone else thinks.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopcalicandle.com
- Instagram: @calicandlecompany
Image Credits
Personal photo Aneesah Robinson Photography Candle photos by me
