Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Meekins.
Hi Brittany, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My candle journey started in 2019, honestly because I had a bit of an obsession with candles! I loved having them burning throughout my home, but with kids and pets, I started paying more attention to what I was actually bringing into our space. I wanted something I could feel good about burning around my family and animals, so I decided to try making my own.
What started as me simply wanting a cleaner option for my own home quickly turned into something I genuinely loved doing. I began experimenting with different scents and learning everything I could about candle making, and eventually started sharing what I was creating with others. From there, it grew into a business.
Over the years, I’ve continued to grow and evolve both personally and professionally. I’m a wife, a mom of two boys, and I also work full-time in healthcare management, so my candle business has always been something I’ve built alongside a very full life. It gives me a creative outlet that’s completely different from my day-to-day career.
It’s pretty special to look back and realize that something I started at home in 2019 because I wanted better candles for my own family has turned into products that other people now choose to bring into their homes too. I’m still always creating, trying new things, and figuring out where I want to take the business next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t always been a smooth road. One of my biggest challenges has been learning how to balance growing a small business with everything else in life. I’m a wife, a mom of two boys, and I’ve continued to work full-time throughout the years, so there have been seasons when the business had to take a back seat.
There’s also so much more that goes into running a candle business than simply making candles. Learning the business side, keeping up with costs, finding the right products and suppliers, testing everything until I’m confident in it, preparing for events, marketing, and figuring out what customers actually want has involved a lot of trial and error.
I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that growth doesn’t always have to happen quickly to be meaningful. There have been times I’ve been able to pour a lot into the business and other times when family and my career needed more of me. I’ve learned to give myself grace during those seasons instead of feeling like I’m falling behind.
Eight years later, I’m still here, still creating, and still excited about what I can turn this little business I started in my home into. I think that makes all of the challenges along the way worth it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
385 Apothecary is a small-batch home fragrance company that grew from something very personal. I’ve always been obsessed with candles, but after having children and pets in the home, I became much more intentional about the products I was using around them. In 2019, I decided to start making my own, and that eventually became 385 Apothecary.
We specialize in hand-poured candles and home fragrance products, with a focus on creating scents that make your home feel good while being thoughtful about the ingredients that go into them. I’m very particular about fragrance, quality, and the overall experience of a product. I don’t want something to just smell amazing. I want it to look beautiful sitting in your home and feel like something you’re excited to use.
One thing that sets 385 Apothecary apart is that it’s still very personal to me. I’m involved in everything from choosing and testing fragrances to creating products, packaging, branding, and meeting customers at local events. I love taking familiar scents and putting my own spin on them, but I also love finding fragrances that make someone stop at my table and say, “I need that.”
I’m probably most proud that the business has continued to grow while still feeling like the same business I started for my own family. I never want to lose that. Whether someone buys a candle, wax melt, room and linen spray, or another home fragrance product from me, I want it to feel special and be something they genuinely love having in their home.
At the end of the day, 385 Apothecary is really about making everyday spaces feel a little more like home. There’s something about a scent that can completely change the mood of a room or bring back a memory, and I love getting to create that for people.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve never really had one formal mentor. A lot of my growth has come from connecting with other small business owners, asking questions, watching what others are doing well, and being willing to learn as I go.
One of the best things I’ve learned is not to look at other businesses as competition. There is room for everyone, even when you sell similar products. Some of the most valuable relationships I’ve made have come from vendor events and simply talking with other business owners, sharing experiences, recommending events, and supporting each other.
My biggest advice would be to put yourself out there and build genuine relationships. Don’t approach every connection thinking about what someone can do for you. Be supportive, ask questions, share what you’ve learned too, and stay open to advice. Sometimes the people who teach you the most aren’t necessarily official “mentors.” They’re the people you meet along the way who are willing to share their experiences with you.
And don’t be afraid to ask for help. Owning a business involves constantly learning, and I definitely don’t think you ever reach a point where you have everything figured out.
Pricing:
- 100% Soy Wooden Wick Candles — $20
- 100% Soy Wax Melts — $5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.385apothecaryllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/385apothecary?stkn=MTRiZTZ5eDhjbjN5cg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/14z4C3WiWMc/?mibextid=wwXIfr
