A little story:
A long time ago (circa 2001) I fulfilled a dream, opening a gift store in Fort Worth TX.
Most shops find their items at one of the big Markets. And, there's one of those in Dallas. I was actually a market showroom rep there so I knew how it all worked. Market is amazing, filled with incredible showrooms and so many different brands/lines that you had to keep careful notes. And yes, I did find some very cool items to stock, but some categories were difficult. A lot of products have protected territories, or were very expensive (to stock and to sell) and for a new little store...well, it just didn't add up.
Pretty soon, frustrated with the lack of choices that were available to me, I just started running queries on the internet. For one thing, I wanted a candle line. One that offered me a lot of scents, but prices that wouldn't give someone a start. I just couldn't find one. One night, probably pretty late after the kids went to bed, I stumbled across a website that sold candle supplies. And I thought 'how hard can it be?'
Short answer, it really IS much harder than it looks! Those first candles were...well, there was a lot of room for improvement. But I kept at it. Tweaking this. Trying that. And when I was finally satisfied that the quality was there, I bought them to my shop. Within a few days, I was utterly sold out. And that's a very lovely problem to have. Customers bought. Wanted more. And started asking me to stock favorite scents. And I listened.
That one product (Jar Candles) quickly lead to many more, and before long, I was making over 750 different products (If you count scents). I invented my lotion bar & lip balm recipes (that I still use today). I learned how to make soap...and life was pretty fabulous creative-wise. But then came 2008. If you remember back when the economy took a dip, and as a single mom, I needed more income for my family. So, I sadly closed the store and got a 'regular job'. But I didn't stop making. I moved my handmade business online. First to my website, then to Etsy. You can also find my products on eCrater. Online is great. I can reach customers who don't live anywhere near a reasonable drive of Fort Worth. But selling scented products online isn't easy. I do list the fragrance notes, but scent is just so subjective. Someone will adore a fragrance and the next person will go 'yeah okay'...but despite these challenges, I love what I do.
I still challenge myself. Trying new products, new scents, and more. I'm still making the very best that I can with the very best ingredients that I can source. Unlike some shops, I do custom blend fragrances. I create my product recipes out of natural oils & butters. I strive to make everything as wonderful as possible.
I like to say that if my products aren't good enough for my family, they aren't good enough for yours. And that goal keeps me motivated to do better each & every day.
Wondering some? Well, I've had over 22,000 sales online since 2008. Still wondering? Please check out those Etsy reviews (my main shop is CoquetteBath but I also have another one, HomeNESTstudio). My goal is always your happiness and making the best that I can is part of that.
I'm a one woman show. So, during the busy fall season, it may take me a day or two extra to get your order on the way. But that's because I don't cut corners. I don't ship anything that I'm not proud of. I care about your happiness and your business. Let me know if you have any questions & thank you for your time!
Maybe someday another store will be possible, but until then, hope to see you here.
Thanks!
Cari, Owner/Coquette Bath & Home™
