Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacobi O’Connor.
Hi Jacobi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to introduce yourself.
Hi, thank you so much for having me. I’m a full-time data engineer and part-time entrepreneur on the Far West side of San Antonio. I own and operate a candle company, Kajaco Candle Company, which came about as a natural extension of my creativity. I love making things and whenever the world starts to feel heavy, I fall back into creating to ease my mind. In early 2019 I was dealing with a lot, both professionally and personally. I found myself in need of a new, relaxing outlet and turned to candle making. I had always loved candles but had never tried to make my own. I researched, made a few, and was immediately hooked. I dove headfirst into candle making after that, purchasing every fragrance oil I could think of, and began creating unique scents that I loved. Towards the end of 2019, I realized I could create a business out of my new passion, and the idea for what would become Kajaco Candle Company was born.
I’ve always been a perfectionist, and I like for everything to be high quality and yield consistent results. This need for perfection, coupled with a bit of imposter syndrome, led me to postpone the sale of my candles for a long time. I continued making candles through 2019 and in May 2020 I finally established my LLC. and started working on my website. Even when all the pieces came together, I let my fears and need for perfection stall my business. It took me a year from the establishment of my LLC to begin selling in 2021. I attribute my launch to the support of my family and friends, who encouraged me and poured into me. I name my business after my family (parts of my little sister’s name, my name, and my mother’s name), and I am forever indebted to them.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Balancing my full-time job and the needs of my business has been challenging. It has come with many early mornings, late nights, and sacrifices. People never tell you how much it costs to start a business, especially one where you develop and create all of the products you sell. Investing in my business while trying to make a life I love has been challenging.
Once I started selling my products, I realized how much I needed to learn about running a successful business. I’ve improved my margins, development schedule, and designs (I create all my labels, packaging, and marketing materials myself), but the learning curve has been steep. I purchased a self-managed candle business course from another Texas candlemaker in the early stages of my business, and I’ve learned so much from the candle maker community. I still need to improve at marketing, but I’m getting better every day and learning to grow with my business and not to expect overnight results.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
When I’m not making candles, I work as a data engineer in the fin-tech industry, and I love it. I learn so much daily at work, and my tech background has helped me manage the more technical aspects of running an online-based, home fragrance company.
I work hard and I’m always willing to go the extra mile in everything that I do. My drive has afforded me many opportunities in my professional life; I’m most proud of my ability to prioritize things and pivot when necessary. There are always multiple ways to get something done and I pride myself in being willing to discover different, and creative, solutions to problems. Having a business has stretched me, helped me grow, and taught me so much about life and work. I’m thankful for every part of the experience.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I believe in luck, but I mainly feel I’ve been blessed in business and life. Even the fact that I’ve been able to maintain my business and career thus far has been a blessing. One I don’t take for granted. I can invest in my business, myself, and still manage to do the things I love outside of work. Grateful doesn’t even come close to the way that makes me feel inside.
Pricing:
- 12 oz. Signature Kollection Candles – $22
- 3.5 oz. Signature Kollection Candles – $10
- 8 oz. Seasonal Kollection Candles – $18
- Wax Melts – $6
- Room Sprays – $8
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kajacocandleco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kajacocandleco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kajacocandleco
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kajacocandleco
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1_xrVXC3ZViNVXf6esNEw
- Other: https://justjacobi.com
