Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine O’Neil.
Hi Catherine, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started The Fluffy Bison, LLC a little over a month after I took my parents to Yellowstone National Park and then just my mom to the Badlands National Park. Seeing Yellowstone National Park was a bucket list item for my father, who’s 81 years old. After my grandmother passed peacefully at home on her 101st birthday, we all struggled and coped differently with her passing, and I wanted to make sure that my parents and I made some of our best memories together before they leave. I fell in love with the bison that I saw in Yellowstone and then driving to South Dakota. I was absolutely fascinated by them and just really loved the taste of their meat. It’s all I pretty much ate on the trip. I thought that if I could find a way to have my own bison herd, then I could also sell bison meat. I have an on-again-off-again dream of one day having a food-related business. I thought this could be the way to get started, so I went to the National Bison Association’s website on our first night in South Dakota and just kept reading and researching how much land is needed and the cost for starting a bison ranch. Needless to say, that it requires a lot of money, which I don’t have. I figured I could start a business that could then lead to this business; however, I knew that whatever I did it had to honor my grandmother and keep her close to me. I thought of a pineapple farm and several other things. Everything would take too long. I also wanted to use whatever I started as a platform to share about our national parks. Yellowstone is so beautiful and the colors… the wildlife… it’s amazing. It just hit me one day, while I was visualizing the mountains and the fields that candles were the option for me. My grandmother loved candles, as a practicing Catholic lighting candles during challenging times is second nature to me. I knew that this was the way for me to move forward. I gave it more thought and also wanted to address grief with my candles. I encourage people to light candles specifically for their loved ones who have passed. The most touching moments since selling candles in February of 2022 has been with, I receive pictures and/or orders of candles for loved ones who have passed and/or memorial services. I knew that I also wanted to keep nature extremely present in my candles, so I do include handpicked flowers in some of my candle designs. It’s really just a giant mix of how I started. I wanted the bison to be my logo so it’s a reminder that I have a goal and that I do own a bison (in the form on my company). I also wanted the orange blossoms as a node to my Florida roots.
I decided on sculptural candles because I knew that there was an opportunity to bring beautiful and meaningful home decor to Central Florida and elsewhere by encouraging people to keep nature close and their loved ones.
I work closely with a young woman in Central Florida to source my local beeswax, as well as from other beekeepers in the Central Florida region. A great portion of my wax comes from another woman from South Dakota who works closely with beekeepers in the Dakotas. I take great pride in knowing that my business supports other businesswoman and it is 100% USA beeswax through and through. I also wanted to make candles that are inclusive of those who cannot light candles because of sensitivities to fragrances/scents/aromas. I love candles and do not always need a fragrance, which is why beeswax is perfect. It’s also known for improving the air quality of the home, ideal for those with soy allergies, and it has a slower burn time.
I also wanted to be mindful of waste with my candles. I have a sculptural wax recycling program where clients can return their leftover wax to me and I can provide another candle with their same wax at a reduced cost.
I registered the LLC in August 2021. Started making candles in September 2021 and then launched my website and started selling at markets in February 2022. My first market ever was in Lakeland, FL. Since then, I have been able to participate in several other markets. My regulars are the First Fridays in Lakeland, every Saturday at the Packing District in College Park, and Second Fridays in Groveland.
I really wouldn’t be where I am today without my mother and father who have helped me so much. As well as my childhood best friend Louise who created my logo for me and my friend Marlene who have greatly supported my candles and my dreams. And the amazing women that I have met since I started vending who have all been so supportive.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been pretty smooth with the sculptural beeswax candles. Almost too smooth where I was feeling anxious and in disbelief at the support, I was getting from shoppers at the markets. Aside from the markets listed there, I have also been in Winter Park, Orlando’s Mills 50 District, Thornton Park, and Howey-in-the-Hills.
However, there have been a few markets where we have not recovered our vendor fee. There was even 1 market where we did not sell a single candle! I was shocked.
My struggles have been with creating my formulas for my scented candles but that is part of this process – so maybe it’s not fair to say that’s a struggle…
The biggest struggle I could share though is finding the right market for me. I think it’s important that market organizers keep what’s best for the vendor present when they organize so it is the best experience for the vendor, the shopper, and the organizer. It gets disheartening when a market organizer seems to only be interested in their own gain and takes advantage of vendors’ time and money.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My profession is education. I am passionate about adult education and the opportunities and services that our county provides to this community. I started my professional career as an adult English for Speakers of Other Languages instructor. It is the most humbling experience I have ever had in my life to teach adults my age or older how to hold a pencil, how to write their names, and how to read their first sentence in English.
In terms of my candles, I am known for the sculptural design, the use of beeswax, and floral decor added to them.
When it comes to The Fluffy Bison, LLC, I am most proud that I did not and have not given up. It is a huge learning experience and I am enjoying the journey.
I believe that what sets me apart from other candle makers is not only the primary wax that I work with (beeswax) and the presentation of my candle but also the thought and intention behind my candles. The molds that I use for my candle are rooted in keeping nature close and honoring loved ones. I also select molds that are inspired by Classical styles because I love travel and art history. My candles can be appreciated by all in the family and displayed anywhere in the house. Some of the most rewarding experiences at the markets are the children who taken an interest in the candles and ask about my process. I love seeing their eyes light up when they ask questions. It’s so meaningful and impactful to me when shoppers hear my story and also share their own stories of grief and the loss of a loved one with me. We treat grief and death oddly as a society. It never goes away. It’s just something we learn to live with but no one seems to talk about how those emotions are always there. I wanted to be a platform for those conversations. Just not sure how to go about it.
I am also incredibly proud of the different custom orders that I have received. A home inspection company works closely with me to provide thank you gifts to their clients and their business partners. I have candles that are exclusively made for them.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I think resilience and empathy are most important to my success. Resilience is needed to withstand and grow from challenges. I think this helps me to continue working on other candles that I have not yet released as I also work with soy wax and coconut waxes. I do not shy away from challenges but I am rather selective in my approach. I truly believe there is a candle for everyone and my variety of candle waxes will show that. Empathy is important because I understand those who have lost a loved one and need another way to bring comfort and peace to those dark moments. I believe my candles do that.
Pricing:
- Candles range from $3 to $65
Contact Info:
- Website: https://thefluffybison.square.site/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefluffybison?utm_medium=copy_link
