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

Hi Amanda, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I feel the most important factor behind the success of my candle business, AKCreations, is the personal connections I’m able to make with customers on Instagram and at my retail job! We have a blast getting to know each other while shopping for clothes and accessories for them at the boutique, so they know they’ll be taken care of ordering my candles later on! Since each of my soy candles are one of a kind, and personalized to each customers request, they know they will get a piece of art handmade specially for them or their loved one with care, and that’s the best part of small businesses!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
After I got my Psychology Degree from Arizona State University, I decided to take a break from my academic pursuits and explore my more eclectic and creative side by joining the staff at my local alternative resale store, Rocket A Go Go! It was during my time working retail at Rocket I met an amazing group of artists and creatives that share in my passion of fostering self expression for all types of people. Rocket helped me develop my overall customer service skills but more importantly how to directly cater to customers of all ages, backgrounds, and styles being size inclusive and pro-LGBTQ+. Besides being a super fun work environment, everyone at Rocket is extremely supportive of my candle business and are always promoting and recommending me to the customers at Rocket! I love getting to know the people who come into Rocket and have the chance to expand my business through the local community while supporting it!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Arizona is such a great place to explore, and there is always things to do! An ideal day showing one of my friends around would start off at any of the great locations of Hash Kitchen for brunch and their bloody mary bar! Then we would go shopping at my favorite spots, Rocket a Go Go for clothes, Zia Records for media, and Tyrannostorus for crystals and fossils! Other fun spots include Terror Trader, Curious Nature, and Happy Healthy High Horny Herbs on Mill ave! My personal favorite crystal shop is Stones in Old Town Scottsdale, who helped me out with crystal deals when I first started my business!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate my shoutout to my family, my mom who inspired the start of my business and whom I made my first ever candle for, my dad who helps me with all things technical to run my business, and my boyfriend who bought me my first ever candle making kit! My family has always supported me and without them my business would not be what it is today!

Website: amandakoepke.com

Instagram: @AmandaKCreations

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AK-Creations-100295379233035

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