Meet Chanda McConnell | Owner + Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanda McConnell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanda, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In 2018, I was planning my wedding and wanted to create a handmade favor for our guests. I thought “I’ll make candles, that seems simple enough”… oh, was I wrong. I purchased a candle making kit from a craft store and struggled to get the candles to smell strong. I was running out of time and had to choose a different favor for our guests, and put the candle making aside.

After our wedding, I was curious as to why I couldn’t get the candles to turn out how I wanted them, so I started researching. I learned about the different types of wax, harmful ingredients, and how to get a good scent throw. I honestly had no intention of starting a business, I just stubbornly wanted to make a good candle.

It was close to a year later after testing many different ratios of wax, wanting to blend them to create the product I dreamed up in my head. I finally created something that gave off a strong scent throw and I wanted to keep experimenting. I fell in love with blending scents to create something unique and meaningful.

After that, I knew I wanted to share my non-toxic creation with others and in 2019, Vidas Wax Works, LLC was created!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Our products are all non-toxic and the scents are created by us. We love to create unique scents that cannot be found anywhere else. All of our scents are created for a reason and we love to hear what memories come to mind when our customers smell them.

We are so proud to offer an eco-friendly refillable option for our candles! This allows our customers to reuse their jar over and over again by cleaning the jar and refilling it with a scented refill insert.

After almost 5 years of business, nothing is ever easy, but this business gives me so much purpose. It is an extension of me and the things that I am passionate about, and I love being able to create and share my passion with others. Overcoming challenges is a constant battle, but staying true to myself and creating what I’m passionate about is what keeps me going.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would check out the downtown farmers market to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies. Then we’d walk around and get a brownie from Pie Party, a cinnamon roll from Dough Lady, browse Jenna Louise’s art, DeSolyMar’s pottery. We’d head over to the Maven District to see what amazing creations we can find at Pantry Products, and do a workshop if there’s one happening. I would schedule a massage with Phia Renee because it’ll be the best thing to ever happen to my friend. We’d get the Pesto Chicken pizza at Rusted Sun Pizzeria, sushi at Takashi, Pad Thai at Tuk Tuk’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband and my mom deserve a huge shoutout! They have both been by my side cheering me on since the day I started experimenting. My husband has been my rock through all of this. When I start to doubt myself or feel imposters syndrome, he is my biggest cheerleader and reminds me of how far I’ve come and how amazing our products truly are.

My mom has been a huge part of the business for the past 2 years. When she saw me struggling with running a business and raising two young children, she stepped in and said “put me to work!” and I’m forever grateful for that. She now helps make product, package orders, help at farmers market, and any other task that comes up. She’s organized and helps me stay on track when things get overwhelming. The business wouldn’t be where it is today without her.

Website: vidaswaxworks.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vidaswaxworks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vidaswaxworks