Meet Cynthia Martinez | Artist & Candle Maker

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

Hi Cynthia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk taking is something that has always had a stigma around just the thought of it. Many moments in my life and my career I have taken a leap of faith and taken a risk. Of course it’s scary to take risks, but I always think regretting not taking the risk would always haunt me more. Ever since I was 17 and started working I have always taken a risk to grow and advance into a better career. It started with a fast food job, then a call center job, and into a strictly commission job where I stayed for 3 years and became a manager. That job had the most risk in it of all, it was no guarantee of pay and I had to work my butt off to get to becoming a manager making 3k a paycheck. But after all of that money and “high status title”, I still wasn’t truly happy. I was making more money than anyone I knew, and yet I was tired of my freedom being taken from me. I had months and months of being scared to take the leap of faith to quit that job, and finally a weight lifted off my shoulders. I had no idea what was going to be the outcome and no idea if I would be successful. I was scared. I was leaving a high risk job for an even more high risk idea – working for myself. So many people would ask the question “what are you going to do?”, “how do you know it will work?”. All i could think to myself is ‘i’ve worked hard my whole life and when i’ve put in the work I would achieve what I wanted, how is this any different?’. If you truly believe in yourself and trust the process risk becomes that clean canvas that you get excited to paint on. Taking a that doubt and turning it into trust is the biggest skill you can ever learn in life I believe, especially being in a creative/artistic entrepreneurship career. Everyday you step out of your house is a day of living in risk so why not risk things that weigh you down or make you unhappy, and trade that for some serious happiness and freedom? Life is about testing yourself to grow past your comfort zone and to achieve things you never knew you could, its just up to you to take that leap of faith.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My business started with the idea of me selling my art and wanting to do gift sets that include a candle, a piece of art, and crystals, along with other little things each month. I had no idea my candles would end up selling so much and becoming a big hit for my. business. I have had many people tell me that my candles are too pretty to burn and that they are art in and of themselves, which is such a heartwarming compliment to me. Drawing wise I love details and patterns, like tattoos, painting wise I love colors and out of this world art, almost psychedelic, or “hippy”, I am most proud of how far my business has come and how many people have bought from me, because I never thought I would come so far. I am most excited about growing my business from the separation of the different kinds of products I sell to corrugated subscription boxes of all the things I offer, like little monthly gift boxes. Professionally I got here today by always asking myself “how can I improve?”. It is a constant question of how can I make my business better, in all aspects, such as: deals, photos of products, appearance online, and packaging. It definitely seemed easy in the beginning but I encountered so many trial and error moments that one can only experience through time that if you’re a perfectionist, like me, it isn’t always easy. I put a lot of thought into making my products look perfect. I definitely overcame challenges by just the quote “you live and you learn”, you are growing with your business like raising a child. The lessons I’ve learned are to always research and ask questions and to ask customers for feedback. I would want customers to know that I am someone who is very spiritual and love to help people even if they just need to talk to someone. I also do tarot and reiki and offer it on my website, which most people don’t know about. My brand is about combining all those things into one place, like a garden and my name actually comes from the moon goddess Artemis. I would also want them to know that one day I want to open up a metaphysical shop where I will sell my candles, crystals, herbs, art, and do tarot there. That if they have any spiritual questions or looking for advice about getting into that area I am always available to email or message.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my bestfriend to mount tumamoc to hike and get a good exercise, but also to see an amazing view of Tucson and how its spread out. I would take them downtown and maybe to this art gallery called solar culture. I think a lot of fun can be found bowling. going to Top Golf, or playing arcade games at Round One at the Park Place mall. To eat out I love this place called North Italia on Campbell and Skyline. But if my friend was not such a city person I would recommend a camping trip and drive up to Mount Lemmon and sight see the beautiful mountains and the gorgeous weather up there.

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 give recognition to my parents for always pushing me to do better and want better for myself, and my husband for always having patience and supporting me mentally and emotionally throughout this whole process. I also appreciate all my customers who return and the new customers who spread their love for my efforts and business.

Website: Gardenofartemis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garden.of.art.emis/

Facebook: https://fb.me/gardenofartemis

Other: Tik Tok: @gardenofartemis

Image Credits
My mother, Valerie Silva.