Today we’d like to introduce you to Courtney Catalino.
Hi Courtney, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
During the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was an essential employee, but my hours were cut back, and my husband was furloughed from his position. Early on, I decided I would not be a couch potato binging on Netflix. I started a few projects here and there. We started making small furniture for squirrels, and then I got back into painting and mixed media projects. While all this was happening, we were trying to sell our home. It was on the market for 15 months. I would light candles many times a day for showings. I was huge into the big-name candle stores and found that using those candles for my showings was expensive. I also noticed those candles were short-lasting, both with the wax’s life and the scent’s life. I had enough time to learn how to make my own to save money. I researched for weeks and purchased my first candle-making kit. I started with 4 scents: blueberry cheesecake, lavender, clean cotton, and sugar cookie. I learned a lot from my research. I learned soy wax burned slower and didn’t release the harsh chemicals my store-bought candles did. I made them for my showings and as gifts for family and friends. Never at that time did I think a money-saving hobby would turn into something bigger. My title agent, now my best friend, encouraged me to look into making it a business and start selling it. Being a fellow Halloween enthusiast, she also inspired the company’s overall theme. We knew it would be fun and spooky, but we still needed a name. One night, my husband and I were drinking outside and started reviewing potential names. I knew I wanted to name it after my pug puppy, Salem. We phoned a friend, and all three of us came up with Wick’ed Salem’s Candle Company. It’s a fun play with words. Next, we needed a logo, so I contacted an illustrator friend from college. I sent him a photo of Salem and said, “Make it Fun and Spooky.” What he came back with hit the nail on the head, and Wick’ed Salem’s Candle Company was on its way to start selling candles! I had to find an “in” to create a following. Luckily for me, the owner of my hair salon also ran the Palm Coast European Village Farmer’s Market. She suggested I sell my candles there. November 8th, 2020, was my first sales day with 8 scents. We now offer 96 different scents in 8oz and 16oz soy candles. We also sell wax melts.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
It was one of the struggles I learned early on. Once we started to open back up and I returned to work full-time, I had to learn to balance a full-time job, a home-based business, and free time. I hardly ever allowed myself free time. Another struggle has been the risk you take when being a vendor at shows, conventions, and markets. Most of the time, you must pay a vendor or table fee. Some are inexpensive, but some go into the 100s for your spot. You are basically upside down until you make your table fee back. I learned that you have to be very selective on whether your product will be successful at a market or show. That was my 2024 New Year’s resolution. In the fall, Wick’ed Salem’s took a big hit from sales needing to meet high dollar table fees. Another obstacle is when you work a market or a show, and you have 6 other vendors selling the same thing. We may all sell the same products, but everyone has their way of creating. Our brand, as unique as it is, sets us apart.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a trained photographer/artist who graduated from the Philadelphia University of the Arts with a bachelor’s in fine arts photography. Career-wise, I chose to work in banking. I have worked for the same bank since 2012 and have held many positions there. I currently have an at-home position as an anti-money laundering representative. In my free time, I like to create. I’ll work on the candles, but I have recently expanded and started creating spooky haunted doll houses. I go to thrift stores, look for old doll houses, and transform them into mini haunted scenes. I also started working on spooky decor, mainly lanterns, jewelry boxes, and wall art.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
If I didn’t take any risks, I would have never bought my first candle-making kit, I would have never turned a hobby into a small business, and I would not be the local go-to candle maker. You have to take risks to make your mark.
Pricing:
- $13 for 8oz soy candle
- $25 for 16oz 3 wick candle
- $5 for 4 wax melts
Contact Info:
- Website: Wickedsalemscandles.com
- Instagram: Wicked_salems_candle_company
- Facebook: Wick’ed Salem’s Candle Co.
