Illuminating Her Own Path: Mommy Mogul Niosha Tonic, Owner of TAJ Candles

Niosha Tonic knew it was time to plan for her future and begin to consider what she would like to do after retirement from the corporate world. While working a part-time job as a side-hustle, it was her children who urged this up-and-coming Mommy Mogul to step into her own light and create a business doing something she has held dear to her since childhood.

Tell us about your professional/personal background and how you began your entrepreneurial journey.

I have been working in the Customer Service industry for the past 33 years and am getting to age where I have to think of what happens next. I was having a discussion with my children and all 3 of them had different memories of me saying how much I enjoyed watching my father make candles when I was younger. At the time I was working a second job to supplement my income as well, they told me to take the leap and at least do something I enjoy if I really needed a second income. Thinking about it I realized that indeed it was something I would enjoy, could be something I continue after retiring, and had enough working years left to build a candle line into a profitable business. I started researching and taking classes to learn the industry and TAJ Candles launched 1.1.2021. Since my children were a big part of me taking the leap the business name is a collective of their first initials T -Tawan, A – Aaron, and J – Jazmin.

Entrepreneurship is not an easy undertaking. All business owners have those thoughts of “can I do this?” or “should I do this?”. What was your, “I’m doing this” moment?

Entrepreneurship is for sure not easy. Harder than what I expected. I have a degree in Business Management so that knowledge helped in making spread sheets and getting the accounting end of things together, but I am looking into taking an updated online class to learn the newer development. The "can do," was easy for me because once the idea is planted, my mind goes right into “how do I do this”. I know I can but it’s the how that I really think about. Once the measures are in place then it’s just implementation after. The 'I’m doing this' came from the support of my immediate family. I come from an "I’m going to tell you exactly how I feel" family and they all not only gave me their support but did it with excitement. Once I had that it was on, I was doing this and was going to work.

How did you know becoming a Chandler and creating a candle business was your lane? How did you learn and get started?

With growing up seeing the process of my father making candles and loving watching him do it, it was always something I wanted to do. As we all know you want to do something personal for yourself and then life events derail the plan. I’m thankful that it was brought back to the table and the timing was perfect. My kids are older, and I had plenty time and needed to have something just for me. I started with an online course and watched DIY YouTube videos on candle making, after a few months I bought my first candle kit. I was in love as soon as the box arrived. Not once since I received the kit have, I thought this was something I didn’t want to do. I’m completely in.

How do you come up with your blends? What’s your favorite and why?

In researching and watching video’s ideas on blends were coming to mind but my first scent Banana Sandalwood came from close friend. He had it in a soap that he really liked and asked if I could make it into a candle, so I did. Doing events and talking to people who come over to my table are big help. Market research is a big part of what comes next in the scents I make. I also don’t make traditional scents either. I always add a twist to whatever scent I come up with. TAJ Candles are very unique and not like something you would buy in a store, right now anyway.

Tell us about your other products and what’s to come.

I have a breakaway portion called TAJ Essence (which may become my LLC name/ thinking) where I have made car/room sprays and shower bombs under. I have a few new products coming in 2022 that I don’t want to give away yet, but they are complements to the sprays and bombs already developed. I’m really excited in how fast my business grew in one year but aware that I have to keep up without overwhelming my product line. One product I can speak on is a special Birthday candle I want to do for gift giving or personal use. It’s going to be handmade start to finish, I’m even going to make the vessel the candle comes in. I’m really excited and hope people are drawn to it.

What’s your top seller?

The Tonic Lavender & He Is candles are my top sellers by far. The Tonic Lavender is just a clean and calming scent that people enjoy. The He Is candle has a sexy man scent to it, that makes women flashback and men want it to make a woman flashback.

I also have a candle set that is big but time-consuming to make right. It’s a duo set called The Relationship. One candle is scented for the woman and then another candle is scented for the man. You can burn them separately, but when lit together give combined unique scent. It’s very time-consuming to make and very detailed to get the 3rd scent to pop so I make in small batches, but they always sell out. I had a couple tell me they light the other's candle for sexy night if the other agrees they will light the second candle and then things happen. LOL

With all the demands of the business of course come the demands of the home and the full-time gig. How do you find a balance between work, business, home, and self-care? What’s your favorite me-time activity?

I do have a full-time job, but it really doesn’t get in the way of my personal business. Most of the events I work are on the weekends during the day so I have time downtime. Actually, my business brings me joy, so I don’t find it feels like work. If I have a stressful day at my “regular job,” coming home and getting in my candle room actually is a comfort to me.

What’s your advice for anyone wanting to start a candle business and/or, become an entrepreneur?

My advice is to research, research, and research what you want your start to be. Find out what the upfront cost will be and get that money together first and do not spend a dime of it until you’re ready to get everything you need to begin. Spreadsheets are lifesaving to keep track of what is coming in and out. Take a business/inventory course. Also have a separate account for the business don’t mix your money, even as a sole proprietor.

Follow TAJ Candles on Instagram: www.Instagram.com/tajcandles and Facebook: TAJ Candles, then go to www.taj-candle.com to place your order. (I recommend the Lavender and Midnight Blues.)

Author: Kierstin Tonic

Entrepreneur, Freelance Writer

Classy Curser

Most Importantly, Mommy

IG & FB: @ktonicwrites