2023 Recap
It’s been a big year for Copper Lane Candles. Here’s some of what well went and some things that didn’t go so well. Overall it was a really successful year. I learned a LOT.
What went well
Most important: donated 68.31 to animal related causes!
Introduced 4 candles with wax molds. 2 of those are an entire new collection of products.
Introduced a few new labels.
Introduced a few new scents.
Got the branding down!
Buying a pegboard and custom shelf did magical things to the market display.
Got LOTS of AWESOME feedback from all of you!
I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and tried out several new markets.
Made LOTS of meaningful connections with other local business owners.
What didn't go so well
Didn’t find consistency. I wasn’t able to create a system to keep up with the demands of creating the products, doing my bookkeeping, and marketing. All the things need systems.
Haven't found a balance to prevent burnout.
Forgot to plan ahead to get into the local city Christmas Festivals.
Forgot to get into Liberty Hill’s Whimsy and Wonder.
Didn't prioritize networking.
Honestly forgot that I had candles in Teal Sky. Did you know I had candles in Teal Sky? That’s because I haven’t been marketing it.
Neglected marketing my email list. Did you know I had an email list? That’s because I haven’t been marketing it.
Procrastinated on social. Everything about social.
This year is going to be bigger and better. Here’s how I’m committing to doing better:
This time, I’m planning out the year’s worth of markets already in January.
I promised the owner of Teal Sky I would do better for her. We both want my candles there. You want to go visit her cute little shop. I will be marketing my products and sending people over to her. Or if you’d like to see them now, go to my shop.
There are a ton of tools out there to make marketing almost automatic. Hopefully I can consistently use those.
I’m going to find a way to balance my work and mental health. Eventually.
Copper Lane made an impact
It’s all relative. Things got better than the year before!
Last year was the beginning of doing more than just donations. I donated a gift basket to Austin Farm Sanctuary’s silent auction, plus I worked to get other businesses to donate baskets also. Those gift baskets went for much higher than the retail price would have been. And I was a vendor at the Diamond Dachshund Rescue, meaning the booth fee is a donation to the cause. Plus each vendor marketing brings more people who might donate and more awareness of that cause. It turns out that even the tiniest business can make an impact on the things it cares about.
Speaking of. Here are some more good changes that came out of last year! My bags now come entirely from Eco-Enclose! And so does the tissue paper in each order. That means that shopping in person is 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. I’m still working through my old boxes and packing paper, but those will be upgraded soon along with the packing tape to be 100% recycled and recyclable packaging. The best part about the tissue paper is it’s also compost-able!!
