Meet Karem Ruiz Ayub | owner of a candle business and Industrial engineer with a specialization in business development

We had the good fortune of connecting with Karem Ruiz Ayub and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Karem, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Hi readers, my goal was to create candles that not only look and smell amazing but are also safe and reliable for you to use. I worked really hard to make sure that these candles not only enhance the atmosphere of your home with their delightful fragrances but also give you peace of mind by being free from any harmful ingredients that might affect your health in the short or long term.

What’s one piece of conventional advice that you disagree with?
As a small business owner, I believe that getting advice from experienced entrepreneurs is invaluable. I feel grateful to be part of a community where we support each other, even though we are in the same line of business. I have not received any advice that I disagree with, but one piece of advice that I completely agree with is: never give up, keep dreaming, focus, and work hard to achieve your goals.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
Risk-taking is an integral part of my life and career. I see risks as opportunities for growth and innovation rather than obstacles. Throughout my journey, I have embraced calculated risks, understanding that they often lead to valuable experiences and outcomes. In my career, taking risks has propelled me beyond my comfort zone, allowing me to explore new opportunities, develop professionally, and achieve milestones that I wouldn’t have otherwise. I believe that risk-taking fosters resilience, adaptability, and creativity, qualities that are essential for navigating today’s business journey.

What habits do you feel helped you succeed?

Firstly, having a disciplined routine and clear goals has been incredibly helpful for me. It helps me stay on track and consistent. Secondly, I believe in continuously learning and improving myself. I enjoy reading, taking courses, and networking to expand my knowledge and skills whenever possible.

When facing challenges, I try to view them as opportunities for growth. This approach helps me stay positive and motivated. Additionally, I always prioritize maintaining a healthy work-life balance and practicing self-care.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?

I believe that the secret to our brand’s success is our commitment to making candles with ingredients safe for our health, top-notch quality, and customer satisfaction. From day one, our focus has been on crafting candles that not only meet but exceed our customers’ expectations. We take pride in maintaining high standards in all aspects of our business, be it our candle design, customer service, or the use of premium ingredients. Our dedication has helped us build a strong bond of trust and loyalty with our customers, and we look forward to continuing to provide them with the best possible experience.

What’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

Running a small candle business involves more than just creating high-quality candles. It also requires you to have the resilience to overcome challenges, adapt to new situations, constantly improve, and seize new opportunities even when they seem daunting. These experiences help me evolve both as a person and as a business owner. Undoubtedly, it’s a continuous learning journey.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?

Balancing a full-time job, running a small business, and still finding time for fun can be quite challenging! As our business expands, it can become more complicated, and we have to juggle many different responsibilities. However, my husband and I have found something that has been a game-changer – keeping a shared agenda. It’s our go-to tool for organizing our business tasks, personal commitments, and making sure we have time to relax and enjoy the little things in life. We love to take leisurely walks, indulge in weekend breakfasts, explore new coffee shops, admire breathtaking sunsets, and spend quality time with our beloved dogs, Luna and Tobias. We also value nurturing connections with family, friends, customers, and fellow vendors at markets. These connections truly enrich our lives and help us tackle any challenges that come our way.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

As an industrial engineer specializing in business development, I have helped others start their businesses and navigate through registrations and licenses. During this time, I came across numerous inspiring stories. However, I have always had a desire to launch my own business, and I have a passion for candles, health, and home decoration. This led me to explore the world of candles, and I realized that many candles on the market could unknowingly impact our health due to their ingredients. The journey to discover the perfect formula was extensive, with a focus on meeting three crucial criteria: candles made with quality ingredients free of any toxic or carcinogenic agents, achieving the ideal balance of aroma, and serving as impeccable home decor

What are you inspired by?

My family has always been a huge inspiration for me – their dedication and perseverance are truly amazing. And my husband has been my biggest supporter, encouraging me to follow my dreams and work on our shared venture.

I’m also deeply inspired by women entrepreneurs – their strength, resilience, and courage are so empowering.

And finally, I’m always motivated by success stories. Hearing about people who have overcome challenges and achieved greatness is so inspiring to me. It makes me want to work even harder to reach my own goals.

I’m excited to share some news with you all! The Candle Bar Experience is coming to Retail Therapy in Fashion Square from April 6th onwards. You’ll have the opportunity to create your own candle, you will be provided with all the necessary tools and feel like a true candlemaker in the process. The experience will be available on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month, from 11 am to 5 pm. Walk-ins are welcome, but we’re also offering reservations for private events. We’re thrilled about this project and putting our hearts into it. Stay tuned as we share more details and information on our social media platforms closer to the date.

Discover our candles at various locations across the Valley:

Retail Therapy at Fashion Square

Retail Therapy at Phoenix Convention Center

Merchantile in Phoenix

Otro Cafe (Occasionally)

For nationwide shipping within the United States, visit our online store at www.merakinaturalbalance.com. If you’re local, don’t forget to take advantage of our free candle pick-up option. Also, catch us on weekends at select pop-up markets! Keep an eye on our IG for the week’s events.

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 have several favorite places in the Valley, but I particularly enjoy coffee and breakfast spots. Some of my top picks include Otro Cafe, Fa-me, Lucy’s, Zinque, Prep & Pastry, and 32 Shea. Additionally, I love visiting coffee shops like Caffio, coffee builders, Berdena’s at the Fred, Otro Cafecito, JL Patisserie, Handy’s Coffee, and many others. If I’m looking for a weekend getaway, I enjoy traveling to Sedona, Flagstaff, Prescott, Jerome, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, and Watson Lake

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband has been supporting me from the very beginning of my candle-making project. He encourages me during difficult times, helps me label candles, and sets up our booth at markets on weekends. His passion for the candles and the project is evident. I also want to thank my parents, who support me from afar and contribute to the production of candles whenever they are here. My sister and my niece have also been supporting me during some pop-ups. I would also like to express my gratitude towards all the clients and people who have supported my business in some way, whether it be by stopping by our booth to say hello, purchasing our candles, following us on social media, or telling others about us. Your support means a lot to us, and we appreciate everything. Thank you!

Website: www.merakinaturalbalance.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meraki.natural.balance/