Today we’d like to introduce you to Britney Mendoza.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Unfortunately, my start doesn’t have a happy beginning. In 2015, my husband and I lost our first pregnancy at 20 weeks. It was a very traumatic experience for both of us and we dealt with our healing in different ways. My husband jumped into his photography and I ramped up on collecting items I found solace in; books, clothes and candles.
It got to the point where I was spending so much money and my time on buying candles from various retailers that my husband just suggested “Why don’t you make your own?” and that is when a lightbulb went off in my head. With the support of my husband, I jumped in feet first and started researching the different waxes, fragrance oils, wicks, etc. It took almost 2 or 3 months before I actually made my first one. It burned fine, but not in the way that I’ve seen others burn. The wick was too small, I didn’t allow the candle to cure long enough, etc. So many incorrect factors, but within the next year or so, I was able to get my formula down and I started making them for family and friends; then eventually friends of friends.
Eventually, my circle of supporters grew beyond my own expectations and I was intimidated. When we had our first child, I took a step back to focus on motherhood, but never really stopped creating for myself and close family members. A couple of years later we had our second child and moved into our condo and all production stopped due to career, motherhood, etc.
Fast forward to early-mid 2021, I was beyond miserable at my former corporate job and it became so bad that I would have mini-panic attacks in my car before walking in the door. My husband, yet again, suggested that I pick up my hobby and give myself an outlet. So I did, but this time I decided to turn into a full-fledged business. At the beginning, I was working two full-time jobs, a baseball coach, a mother, a wife and trying to balance it all. In October 2021, I left my corporate job and started applying all my efforts into Thirty-Four Charms.
I love it and I wouldn’t change my journey. My circle of supporters are amazing, my husband, my family, my friends and my customers! I owe all of TFC’s success to them.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle is not knowing where to start, how to start and who to turn to for advice.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Thirty-Four Charms started as a candle company but has grown into other realms such as home accents and decor. Candles will always remain as the main focus, but I’d like to see other decorative pieces in people’s homes and know that they have a one-of-a-kind piece curated from TFC.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Our goal within the next 5 years is to have a warehouse where I can create and produce all my handmade products and get them out of my “home office” aka my garage; and set up a small retail spot on site.
The ten years goal is to have my product sold in 500 small business retailers across the nation, expand the business, hire staff members. Honestly, I’m taking it one month at a time and striving for the best. Who knows what the future will hold.
Pricing:
- $9
- $10
- $15
- $24
- $28
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thirtyfourcharms.co
- Instagram: @thirtyfourcharms
