Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciara Brito.
Hi Ciara, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I started Always Cozi during the pandemic since I had lots of free time on my hands. It started off as something fun to make and burn for myself but as I started to get better, I began selling to friends and family. I ended up having so much and getting back such amazing feedback I just continued to brainstorm and look at new ideas I can bring to the table. It’s crazy to think that now I have sold out of two of my drops and one of my pop-up shops. I was so scared to start back in 2020, I kept making comparisons and walking with lots of fear. Today I am way more confident in who I am and what my brand has to offer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I definitely faced a few challenges when first starting my business. Candles are not as simple as it may seem. It took me MONTHS to find the best waxes, wicks, and fragrance oils. That doesn’t even include the amount of testing I had to do to avoid frosting, large wick flames, and the weak fragrance throws. It was important to me to be eco-friendly which led to much longer testing times and more research. I also faced a huge challenge of trusting myself and trusting the process. During this time the pandemic was peaking and I was struggling with being away from my friends and family. I had just recently lost my job and I just remember being so fearful of what was to come. Running a business seemed so above me and it was so hard for me to even picture myself in a position where I was creating, doing something I love, and ultimately making money from it. It was all so foreign to me but once I took back control and moved with purpose everything fell into place just as it should. have.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about ALWAYS COZI?
Of course, we are here to provide you with our beautiful luxury candles that will not only fill your home with our variety of scents but also to bring a lovely ambiance and coziness like no other. BUT our brand is focused on a lot more than just that. We are looking to build a community that’s focused on growing with one another and doing the work that will ultimately allow us to feel comfortable and COZI in even some of the most uncomfortable situations. Change can feel scary and fear can be hindering and these uncomfortable things can cause us to avoid some of the most important discussions and experiences that we need to level up. ALWAYS COZI is about providing a space where we can talk about self-care on a deeper level. This means understanding that a nicely lit candle near a bubble bath, getting a pedicure, or binge-watching Netflix are all very important but so is the uncomfortable self-care like setting boundaries, healing trauma and breaking old cycles. We are looking to connect people, share ideas, and help each of us get a bit COZI with being a healthy level of uncomfortable sometimes.
We specialize in making homemade hand-poured soy candles which are much better for you, your pets, and even the environment. Always Cozi is known for bringing an experience to you through our scents, designs, and self-care tips. We are very proud of the community we have built so far and the discussion spaces we are creating. It means a lot for us to remind people that self-care comes in layers and being there for yourself is important. We strive to make people feel heard, understood, and most of all Cozi.
We currently offer 8oz candles, wax melts, and add-ons including playlists, crystals, and other goodies. We are super excited to be bringing even more self-care items very soon such as smudges for cleansing spaces, blankets, and more customization options to make your purchases even more catered to you.
What matters most to you? Why?
Authenticity is what is most important to me when it comes to my brand. I believe there is a lot a strength in being vulnerable and transparent in who you are, what you feel, and what you have experienced. It matters to me that I build a platform where people can feel heard, understood, and respected. A place that allows for growth both internally and externally. Of course, it means a lot to me to provide my customers with the best quality candles but beyond the candle I want my customers to feel they are doing what’s necessary for them to improve and step into their best versions of themselves. It matters to me to remind people they matter. I am working to build an inclusive community where all people can feel Cozi.
Pricing:
- 8oz candles- $16
- Large wax melts- $5.55
- Rose quartz crystal- $5.00
Contact Info:
- Email: alwayyscozi@gmail.com
- Instagram: @always.cozi
