Meet Amanda Koepke | Custom Candle Maker

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

Hi Amanda, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Over the last 4 years owning my small business, my work-life balance is constantly changing and adjusting with time. From working a full-time day job and working weekend markets, to working part-time day jobs with part-time dedicated to small business, to full-time small business, things like seasonal spending changes, need for social media consistency/understanding, and the need for benefits, changes that balance over time. Luckily my main source of income for my business, markets, also contributes to my social life with meeting new vendors, seeing familiar faces, and making friends with consistent costumers, vending is a fantastic way to showcase one’s art and make new friends. There is inevitable trial and error when learning your own limits as a small business owner, and listening to your body and energy levels is the most important aspect of maintaining a consistent flow of income without burning yourself out or getting sick. Personally holding a part-time day job, with three markets a month maximum, has progeny to be the best balance for me, but find yours over time!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I create one-of-a-kind soy candles in thrifted containers, no glued down sicks, with crystals, miniatures, and charms made with the intention of useful art that leaves no waste. I poured my first candle for my mom in a sentimental tea cup and adorned it with amethyst crystals and a ceramic “mom” miniature decoration she had and cherished. Even though she refuses to burn it, the candle represents a beautiful moment in time between mother and daughter only a custom piece of artwork can provide. Then, after posting my first candle online I got orders from friends, custom author and memoriam orders, and got into the local vendor market scene to sell my candles locally. An early lesson I learned is the difficulties of shipping fragile art, and the importance of a social media presence over everything. Social media gets new eyes on your art, new collaboration opportunities, and a way to showcase your skills for potential clients and is a priceless marketing tool for any small business. One thing I want the world to know about the story of my business is to continually support your eco-friendly local art and not only rely on online shopping for your yearly gift giving, you don’t know the beautiful world of creative art you may be missing out on.

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?
The best places to go in my area to be out and about are the local Chandler and Scottsdale famers markets, Monster Market monthly events for art, performers, and local goods. For entertainment I love the local shows at Stacys and Kolbalt bars and productions put on by Cleodora Productions Burlesque! For some sight seeing places like South Mountain, Hole in the Rock, and Goldfield mining town give you that old west feel right away! Lastly shopping at places like Terror Trader, Curious Nature, Brass Armadillo Antiques, Call it New Call it Antique, and 10:19 Cofee are my favorite spots!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shout out my biggest inspiration, my mom Nicolette Lemmon! My mom raised me to always believe in myself and my talents and never give up on my dreams. After owning her own marketing firm for over 20+ years, she never gave up on her creative dreams and has since pursued her dreams of becoming a published author and has so far independently published 4 books herself. Before focusing on her passion for mystery writing she wanted to apply her marketing knowledge to help other writers learn how to market themselves and create a business plan to get their writing hobby off the ground into a writing business. To learn more, check out her website NicoletteLemmon.com for her books on marketing and business planning to set yourself up for success!

Website: https://amandakoepke.com

Instagram: @AmandaKCreations