Today we’d like to introduce you to Taylor Conrad.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My husband and I started this company together in dedication to my mother (Colleen), who passed away from breast cancer. We started unraveling all the toxic chemicals in everyday items even familiar products that we grew up on. From my own extreme food sensitivities and sensitive skin, it became my mission to find natural methods to heal our body. When I first met my husband family, I made them a candle! He thought it was the coolest thing ever. We decided to start with candles because his friend owns an Apiary – or a bee farm. Using beeswax is healthy for the air and environment; it doesn’t produce any black smoke which is called Soot. When beeswax candles burn, they clean the air like a great, natural air purifier. Just like lightening, beeswax produces negative ions when burned. These negative ions attach to positive ions (like dust, pollen, mold, odor, toxins) floating in the air and in this process cleans the air. We make oils that helps with
Eczema, psoriasis, rashing, dry skin & more! We use herbal medicine with non-toxic ingredients.
After getting let go from my company during the pandemic, my husband and I decided to put matters in our own hands! We knew we had a great product and idea. So, we started with our website first, and a lot of our friends and family really supported us! Without them, it would have been way more difficult- they were able to get the ball rolling for us! Then we applied to all the farmers’ markets we could in SoCal. Some didn’t do so great; others did fantastic in sales.
We make sure to keep our body healthy and our energy high when we are making products or at the markets, because we know how important it is to be healthy.
We went door-knocking to businesses, did a lot of social media posting, and thankful enough, we have our products in retailers! Now we do 4-6 markets a week and steady growing! We both do this full-time and extremely grateful to the feedback we’ve received and the community that’s helped us along this journey.
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?
Coming out with our own formulas was a lot of trial and error. Some people think you just pour hot wax into a jar for a candle. We use beeswax, coconut wax, and essential oils – it’s actually a formula like a scientist. Each candle had become its own life form from the name, affirmation, and smell. We had to cut back on some spending when we started because we do live here, have cars, pay bills, etc, so that was the hardest; we took out a small loan through Shopify! When your website has traction, and they see you are selling they will give you a loan and take a percentage of your sales! So that was super helpful. We are still growing and constantly figuring how we can get into more homes with our products, so it’s a constant challenge we love!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We make healthy eco-luxe products for your home and body. Beeswax candles that look like art pieces.
No toxins or chemicals.
Chapsticks, oils, soaps, and more.
We are proud of our authenticity and community.
What sets as part is most candles are soy or paraffin. We use beeswax, which does not produce any black smoke it is the healthiest and cleanest burn you can get.
All of our products, we place our ingredients on labels and are completely transparent on them. You can follow us on social media @KalenAndRose and see how we make our products or where we will be next!
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Trusting your instinct and gut. Move with great intentions, and the universe will unfold with positivity
Pricing:
- $5 are our soaps and chapsticks
- $25 for our 9oz candles
- $16 for our small oils hemp and Avocado oils
- $15 for our 4oz candles
- $20 & $32 for our small and big calendula oils
Contact Info:
- Website: Kalenandrose.com
- Instagram: @KalenAndRose
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KalenAndRose/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kalenandrose?s=21&t=RhfhJ2yxiFO3h4azsvUOiA
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCSt7Bs-2hfenkQuH87fk3Pg
Image Credits
Ashley Kaplan
Kelsey Fox
Brielle Whittett
