How to Turn a Hobby Into a Full-Time Business

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TRANSCRIPTION WITH SPEAKERS
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[00:00] SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Canada's podcast.
[00:06] SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to Calgary's podcast on Canada's podcast network with Mario Toneguzi.
[00:12] SPEAKER_00: Joining me today is Bridget Calvank, who is CEO of CNC Cannell Company in Calgary.
[00:18] SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us today, Bridget.
[00:20] SPEAKER_00: Hi Mario.
[00:22] SPEAKER_00: Okay, let's talk a little bit about the company.
[00:26] SPEAKER_00: Tell me what the company does.
[00:29] SPEAKER_01: So the company we actually create and manufacture wax, candle supplies as well.
[00:38] SPEAKER_01: We distribute candle supplies and help entrepreneurs actually grow their candle company.
[00:42] SPEAKER_01: But we also manufacture for over 370 stores across Canada as well.
[00:47] SPEAKER_01: Oh cool, what an interesting.
[00:50] SPEAKER_01: Officially I started as a hobby just over 20 years ago.
[00:53] SPEAKER_01: It got to me an expensive hobby and might have been basically kicked me in 2017 and said,
[01:01] SPEAKER_01: you need to get rid of this hobby with costing a lot of money or, you know, make it into something.
[01:07] SPEAKER_01: And so we officially signed our first contract in 2018.
[01:11] SPEAKER_01: And we opened our first store doors, not in my garage.
[01:16] SPEAKER_01: In February 2nd, 2019 and officially we've grown from there.
[01:21] SPEAKER_00: So.
[01:22] SPEAKER_00: Okay, like, and tell me just a little bit about, you know, going back in time, just why that became a hobby.
[01:28] SPEAKER_00: What was the interest for you in candles?
[01:32] SPEAKER_01: Yeah, so I actually, I enjoy candles.
[01:36] SPEAKER_01: We have, we have kids and they were obviously got a lot younger 20 years ago.
[01:42] SPEAKER_01: And I wanted to make sure that I wasn't inhaling because I noticed the black smoke.
[01:45] SPEAKER_01: I noticed different things that were in the candles that were happening.
[01:49] SPEAKER_01: Right. So we decided that I wanted to look at it go, okay, what's actually in this that I'm burning?
[01:56] SPEAKER_01: And so I just worked on it worked on it worked on it until I found something that was a cleaner, healthier, but still gave me the aroma that I want.
[02:04] SPEAKER_00: Okay.
[02:06] SPEAKER_00: And you mentioned your store like, is it just one store? Do you have more than one?
[02:13] SPEAKER_01: Officially, we did close down a couple stores due to COVID.
[02:16] SPEAKER_01: Okay, we were in the malls and we did close to stores down.
[02:20] SPEAKER_01: It wasn't, it hasn't really hurt us to be honest.
[02:23] SPEAKER_01: COVID has been a great thing for us, which is scary to say.
[02:27] SPEAKER_01: Even though our whole company did catch it in December last year.
[02:31] SPEAKER_01: We were shut down for a couple weeks, so it was a little scary.
[02:34] SPEAKER_01: But we, we are one manufacturing company right now and we do have, it's 1100 square feet right now.
[02:41] SPEAKER_01: And that includes manufacturing and the showroom.
[02:44] SPEAKER_00: Okay.
[02:45] SPEAKER_00: And, and, and, and, and, just curious of C and C, what is that sound?
[02:50] SPEAKER_00: Sound for something, anything? Sorry.
[02:52] SPEAKER_01: It does. It's creative in Canadian.
[02:55] SPEAKER_00: Creative and Canadian.
[02:57] SPEAKER_00: Yes.
[02:57] SPEAKER_00: Okay. Super.
[02:59] SPEAKER_00: Well, where you, you know, in your experience from people purchasing candles, what type of customer do you have?
[03:07] SPEAKER_00: Like anything in particular, or is it just a wide range of people that are interested in candles?
[03:14] SPEAKER_01: We find, so with our candles, they're not the cheapest on the market, but they're not the most expensive.
[03:21] SPEAKER_01: So we do find we have customers that range an age from 20 years old, you know, as high as, they're late sevenths, right?
[03:29] SPEAKER_01: So it is a wide variety.
[03:31] SPEAKER_01: But they are a candle consumer, so they know the differences in between, you know, what's got good chemicals.
[03:37] SPEAKER_01: And it's in what's got bad chemicals.
[03:39] SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
[03:40] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[03:40] SPEAKER_00: And what do you think people enjoy candles?
[03:44] SPEAKER_01: Honestly, it's about the memory.
[03:46] SPEAKER_01: That's what our tagline is.
[03:47] SPEAKER_01: Is scent is actually the most powerful sense that we have that helps recreate memories.
[03:54] SPEAKER_01: So when you think back to Apple Pie, right?
[03:59] SPEAKER_01: We have learners Apple Pie, which is named after my grandmother.
[04:04] SPEAKER_01: And she makes the most amazing Apple Pie.
[04:06] SPEAKER_01: And every time I smell it, that's what I think of.
[04:09] SPEAKER_01: So it brings back that honest memory and that heartwarming item.
[04:14] SPEAKER_01: And I think that's what people use the scent in a room is for.
[04:17] SPEAKER_00: That's why people that they tell you sometimes when you're selling a home, they have some bread in the oven or something like that.
[04:32] Speaker UNKNOWN: 
[04:32] SPEAKER_00: So how many different candles do you have?
[04:35] SPEAKER_01: We actually have a total of seven different lines.
[04:38] SPEAKER_01: And there's about 11 candles in each line.
[04:41] SPEAKER_01: So there's a variety from everything from basic candles.
[04:44] SPEAKER_01: Like I said, like basics that everybody looks for vanilla things like that all the way through to premium oils and essential oils and candles as well.
[04:53] SPEAKER_01: And we even have an men's line as well.
[04:55] SPEAKER_02: Really?
[04:56] SPEAKER_01: Yep, the men's line is done in a paint tin and we call it the torch because guys don't want to have a camp.
[05:03] SPEAKER_00: Well, Jesus, I thought maybe when I have a beer smell to it.
[05:07] SPEAKER_00: We do have one.
[05:08] SPEAKER_00: Look at me. Wow.
[05:10] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[05:13] SPEAKER_00: What kind of beer?
[05:15] SPEAKER_00: It's actually like a pale ale.
[05:18] SPEAKER_00: That's cool.
[05:19] SPEAKER_01: So there you go.
[05:20] SPEAKER_00: I've always said to people, you know, what people could become millionaires if they could harness the smell of fried food.
[05:31] SPEAKER_00: Right?
[05:31] SPEAKER_00: And because it's just something about fried food, right?
[05:35] SPEAKER_00: That attracts people.
[05:37] SPEAKER_01: Exactly.
[05:38] SPEAKER_01: Between fried food, you know, just yummy.
[05:41] SPEAKER_01: That's right.
[05:42] SPEAKER_01: But again, it's that same concept.
[05:43] SPEAKER_01: It's that sense of smell.
[05:45] SPEAKER_01: That's literally what it is.
[05:46] SPEAKER_01: It's a comfortable thing.
[05:47] SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
[05:48] SPEAKER_00: So do you still do the actual candle making?
[05:52] SPEAKER_01: I don't do a lot of it anymore.
[05:54] SPEAKER_01: We have 27 employees.
[05:56] SPEAKER_01: So we've got a few.
[05:59] SPEAKER_01: But, but I do get in there and the staff know what I did there because I was in the class.
[06:05] SPEAKER_01: And I'm creating stuff and I like, oh, the boss has been here.
[06:09] SPEAKER_01: But I do enjoy going in and actually designing the new lights.
[06:12] SPEAKER_01: I actually have a designer with me that's that's been like a prototype for me.
[06:17] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[06:18] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[06:18] SPEAKER_00: So, you know, obviously from starting from scratch, so to speak.
[06:23] SPEAKER_00: And as a quote unquote hobby.
[06:28] SPEAKER_00: What was the toughest thing for you to become an entrepreneur and actual entrepreneur in this?
[06:33] SPEAKER_01: The toughest thing for me is I was in a very well and making well into the six figures and giving up that kind of security and help.
[06:49] SPEAKER_01: Made a big difference.
[06:51] SPEAKER_00: So what is it then about being an entrepreneur?
[06:54] SPEAKER_00: Let's start with the positive.
[06:56] SPEAKER_00: Like what is it about being an entrepreneur that enjoy and like?
[07:00] SPEAKER_01: It's I enjoy helping people and I enjoy seeing people's face and enjoying the product.
[07:07] SPEAKER_01: To me, it's very exciting.
[07:09] SPEAKER_01: It's like.
[07:12] SPEAKER_01: I enjoy the invention of so inventing the candles, inventing the designs, the candles, the wax, the different products.
[07:20] SPEAKER_01: That we've come up with and then seeing them in people's homes or seeing them post them on social media.
[07:26] SPEAKER_01: It's pretty exciting.
[07:27] SPEAKER_01: That's one of the best parts actually.
[07:29] SPEAKER_01: It's the most rewarding part I would say.
[07:31] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[07:32] SPEAKER_00: What do you think helped you along in your journey to becoming an entrepreneur with any kind of special resources that helped you people blocks anything like that?
[07:45] SPEAKER_01: I've been very fortunate.
[07:47] SPEAKER_01: I've had a lot of support from family and friends.
[07:52] SPEAKER_01: And they've assisted me, you know, not necessarily a monetary all of them.
[07:57] SPEAKER_01: Some of them have helped me financially for sure.
[08:01] SPEAKER_01: But it's the support.
[08:03] SPEAKER_01: Okay.
[08:04] SPEAKER_01: As far as books go, I have had.
[08:09] SPEAKER_01: I'm thinking strategic growth.
[08:12] SPEAKER_01: That is one of them.
[08:13] SPEAKER_01: It's been it was excellence.
[08:15] SPEAKER_01: Very good book.
[08:16] SPEAKER_01: It actually teaches you to walk through everything.
[08:19] SPEAKER_01: How to grow your business from a basic business all the way up to a multi-million dollar business.
[08:25] SPEAKER_01: But I think the biggest thing that I've had is watching trends, you know, and watching what people want.
[08:33] SPEAKER_01: I think that's the most important thing is listening to the consumer.
[08:36] SPEAKER_00: And where do you get that kind of information like how do you source that out?
[08:42] SPEAKER_01: We did a lot of on social media.
[08:44] SPEAKER_01: We did a lot of questions and answers just out general for customers.
[08:50] SPEAKER_01: You know, what are you looking for?
[08:52] SPEAKER_01: What would be different?
[08:54] SPEAKER_01: What what makes you want to participate in our company compared to somebody else's company?
[09:00] SPEAKER_01: And that makes a lot of difference because consumers are looking for somebody to pay attention.
[09:05] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[09:05] SPEAKER_00: And do you think like right now, obviously with everything that's been going on with COVID, but, but even I think before COVID, we saw a bit of a trend starting, you know, in terms of consumers wanting local products.
[09:22] SPEAKER_00: Do you find that is the case?
[09:25] SPEAKER_00: I agree. 100%.
[09:26] SPEAKER_01: The local products is making a big, big difference.
[09:29] SPEAKER_01: And people want to support businesses that they know are giving employment to their local people.
[09:37] SPEAKER_01: People want to support Canadian.
[09:40] SPEAKER_01: And they want to enjoy the fact of, you know, it's putting Canadians to work and it's bringing the money back into the into the into the economy.
[09:48] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[09:49] SPEAKER_00: What kind of plans are you after the future for the company?
[09:55] SPEAKER_01: So in a perfect world, to be honest, we would love to be in a position where we can produce a variety of the boxes that are blended right here in Canada, putting Canadian farmers to work.
[10:10] SPEAKER_01: Growing the products, things like that.
[10:12] SPEAKER_01: It's a long-term goal for sure.
[10:14] SPEAKER_01: And then we also want to grow and have what we call a creativity center.
[10:20] SPEAKER_01: So it allows other entrepreneurs to come in and actually design product writing shop and use equipment that normally they would be able to afford.
[10:28] SPEAKER_00: Oh, well.
[10:29] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[10:29] SPEAKER_00: So curious, where do you get the ingredients for the candles? Where does that come from?
[10:36] SPEAKER_01: Right now, we actually get most of it from the US.
[10:39] SPEAKER_01: Yeah, yeah, we do our darkness to make sure that everything's North American.
[10:45] SPEAKER_01: There are some things we can't get around glassware unfortunately is a lot more cost effective in China.
[10:51] SPEAKER_01: You know, so much cheaper for that.
[10:53] SPEAKER_01: I wish there was local.
[10:55] SPEAKER_01: But yeah, most of it comes from North America.
[10:57] SPEAKER_01: Anything that burns in the candle, we require to be North American.
[11:00] SPEAKER_00: Oh, okay. That's super.
[11:02] SPEAKER_00: Yes.
[11:03] SPEAKER_00: So obviously, you know, you know, being an entrepreneur is pretty much a 24 or seven job, isn't it?
[11:09] SPEAKER_00: It is.
[11:10] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[11:11] SPEAKER_00: Do you have any time to do anything else?
[11:14] SPEAKER_01: I do.
[11:15] SPEAKER_01: We.
[11:16] SPEAKER_01: Not much, but.
[11:18] SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
[11:19] SPEAKER_01: But I do definitely like we will never, ever, ever be open Sundays.
[11:23] SPEAKER_01: Because I believe that that should be a day that everybody gets off.
[11:27] SPEAKER_01: And my staff are never expected to even consider that.
[11:30] SPEAKER_01: Same with long weekends and things like that.
[11:32] SPEAKER_01: We give all those holidays off because I think it's important to have that balance.
[11:36] Speaker UNKNOWN: 
[11:37] SPEAKER_01: So, but my husband and I in between when we can, we try to go and visit the grandkids and our kids because we do have four total and four grandkids.
[11:47] SPEAKER_01: And then we typically will go to the mountains.
[11:50] SPEAKER_01: We'll go for hikes.
[11:52] SPEAKER_01: And my favorite pastime is actually taking nature shots of animals.
[11:56] SPEAKER_01: So yeah, yeah.
[11:57] SPEAKER_01: I enjoy it very much.
[12:00] SPEAKER_00: What kind of animals have you taken pictures of?
[12:04] SPEAKER_01: I've taken black bears, grizzly bears, deer.
[12:07] SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
[12:08] SPEAKER_00: Well, close to the bears were you?
[12:10] SPEAKER_01: Probably closer than I should have been.
[12:14] SPEAKER_00: Well, actually, I actually, it's not funny right now about you know, there was in the news just the other day here in Calgary area that someone was killed by a bear.
[12:25] SPEAKER_00: But yeah, what is what is what does nature do for you?
[12:32] SPEAKER_01: For me, it just for me, it's it allows me to relax and just enjoy the moment, right?
[12:40] SPEAKER_01: Because like when you see, for example, we saw a grizzly bear just sitting by the side of the road, he was just so peaceful, right?
[12:48] SPEAKER_01: And to take a picture of that bear, it's just it's so it can be so dangerous, but at the same time when you're looking at it, it's so peaceful and you just enjoy the moment.
[12:59] SPEAKER_01: My favorite shots that I did was of these two cubs and they were black bear cubs.
[13:06] SPEAKER_01: Mama bear was sitting on the side and they were playing around a tree trunk of the fallen down.
[13:10] SPEAKER_01: And they were literally swatting each other and I got so many beautiful pictures, but it was so fun to watch them. They were just like little kids playing. It was so cute.
[13:20] SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm the same way as you. I'd like to go outside, even in your work from home, obviously, I'm not obviously, but I do.
[13:31] SPEAKER_00: And I have to go outside throughout the day, right? And even sit outside and admire the trees, the bushes that we have or whatever.
[13:45] SPEAKER_00: I think that's an important thing that people need to do, especially on topreneurs, as I said, 24-7, boy, can you take a toll on you, right?
[13:56] SPEAKER_01: Yeah, you can. And what a lot of them don't remember is you're still a human.
[14:02] SPEAKER_01: You know, you still need to take that breather because even working for yourself, it's a great reward because you're enjoying the fruits of your own labor, but at the same time you have to bring.
[14:14] SPEAKER_01: You know, and take that relaxation and enjoy the family.
[14:17] SPEAKER_00: For sure, for sure.
[14:19] SPEAKER_00: Okay, then anything else, Bridget, you like to add that I didn't ask you about?
[14:27] SPEAKER_01: You know what? I just, I really hope that people start taking, you know, family life and appreciating things more because it's really, really important.
[14:35] SPEAKER_01: It is. And I think that's one thing that go with it is taught everybody.
[14:38] SPEAKER_01: You know, if nothing else.
[14:40] SPEAKER_01: And if you want to go for your dreams, think big. That's a big thing. You know, you've got to really think big and go for it.
[14:48] SPEAKER_01: Making the jump is scary, but when you actually do make the jump, it's incredible.
[14:54] SPEAKER_00: I mean, I'm just curious, you know, you know, you mentioned we've learned a lot through COVID in the past year or so.
[15:00] SPEAKER_00: What do you think you learned from a business standpoint from COVID?
[15:05] SPEAKER_01: From a business standpoint is to definitely stay ahead of the game.
[15:10] SPEAKER_01: So for example, you've got to switch things up, you know, we were doing supplies and stuff.
[15:17] SPEAKER_01: We targeted one after kids so people could do them at home, enjoy them with the kids, you know, give them different things to do.
[15:25] SPEAKER_01: You have to think of those things.
[15:28] SPEAKER_01: You have, you can't stay stagnant. It's just not going to work.
[15:31] SPEAKER_00: Yeah, okay.
[15:32] SPEAKER_01: And I think that's the biggest thing to learn from an entrepreneur aspect from this.
[15:36] SPEAKER_00: Right, super.
[15:37] SPEAKER_00: Thank you for joining us today.
[15:40] SPEAKER_01: Yes, thank you for having me. It was great.
[15:42] SPEAKER_00: Okay, great. That was Bridget Calvank, who is CEO of CNC, Candle Company here in Calgary.
[15:49] SPEAKER_00: This has been Calgary's podcast on Canada's podcast network with Mario Tonogusi.
[15:55] SPEAKER_00: Thanks for joining us today.