The Candle Maker's Difference

Candles are a necessity for a home that houses a young boy and his dogs. This month, the aroma of pumpkin spice fills the air masking the odors given off by smelly socks, a piece of fruit forgotten, and pets gone too long without grooming. I have never given much thought to lighting a candle. The flick of a butane lighter sparks gratitude for the fragrant helper, a reminder to extinguish the flame before lights out, and not much else.

The candle buying experience for me is as mundane as setting a wick ablaze– sniff, check price, purchase. I was on step three of my routine at a craft fair when a candle maker managed to add value to my experience. “Let me tell you something,” he said. “When you burn this the first time, be sure to let the wax melt all the way to the edges so it creates a level surface. That way you burn the wax evenly all the way down instead of creating a well which leaves you with a lot of unused wax,” he explained. I smiled. As a public relations professional all I could think was – well done. In approximately 60 seconds, he just changed my candle buying experience from ordinary, to novel. He reminded me he was a craftsman, and that he valued his work and my business. “You didn’t know you were going to get that lesson did you?” he said with a chuckle. No, I didn’t, but as a small business owner I should have expected it.  

He made me think about the level of customer service I provide to my clients, and reminded me to continue to identify ways to raise the bar. There is always room for improvement. 

Small Business Saturday is November 24. Recognized as a day to celebrate the contributions of local business owners. For small business owners everywhere - your support is appreciated.