Name of your website?www.ScentsOfSoyOnline.com
Your name?
Jeni
Your Location (city, etc)
Jacksonville
Please give us a short summary of your website?
We hand pour and sell all natural soy candles. Our candles are made from soybean oil, vegetable oil and other natural products. Our wicks are 100% cotton. They are non-toxic and do not produce the black smoot you get from paraffin candles.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
The demand from customers and the desire to reach a broader customer base. We are a small company looking to expand and know what a difference the internet makes!
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
This is our first website and we just got it up and running a few months ago. We are still tweaking it!
How did you decide on a name for your website?
All four of the owners got together and brain stormed until we came up with Scents of Soy. We added ONLINE to our website name since scentsofsoy.com was currently taken (but not in use).
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
Our candles are proven to hold their fragrance all the way through the candle, not just in the beginning like most candles. Our candles burn approximately 30% longer than normal paraffin candles. Response from our customers has been overwhelming and gratifying!
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
We would like to expand the business and make it a full time job for us. We are currently doing this on the side but it is taking up much of our free time.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Our first year we had over $13,000 in sales and the fun we have doing it makes it even better. It's a stress reliever for us believe it or not when we are pouring the candles.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
We would love to open a retail store/studio where we can make and sell all in one place.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
Most definitely! There are currently 4 of us who are truly dedicated and our goal is to get really big! It's something we pride ourselves in and would like to pass down to our children one day.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Filing income taxes!
What has been your biggest challenge?
Getting the website up and running!
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of mouth so far. Our loyal customers are very gracious to us and refer friends and family all the time. They are our lifeline!
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
Nothings really differed so far.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
Our sire has only been up a few months. We plan on running it as long as we are in business.
What is your website address?
www.ScentsOfSoyOnline.com
