Cami Candles: Catherine Kionisala - Fabello's Journey of Illuminating Lives with Sustainable Scents
“Starting a business is not that easy. But if you have that heart and passion in you, this fuels everything! Always be open to failures and learn from them, because this is essential for the growth of your business. And lastly, submit to the Lord in everything that you do. Offer to Him the work of your hands and you will be blessed." - Catherine Kionisala - Fabello
In a world where stress and anxiety have become a common part of our lives, finding solace and taking care of our mental well-being becomes paramount. Catherine Kionisala - Fabello, a passionate mompreneur, embarked on a journey to create a business that not only brings peace to her own life but also touches the lives of others. Inspired by her personal struggles and a desire to promote mental well-being, Catherine founded Cami Candles—a haven of sustainable and eco-friendly scented candles. Join us as we delve into Catherine's story, her challenges, and her empowering insights for moms who aspire to become successful mompreneurs.
From Struggles to Scents: Discovering the Power of Aromatherapy
What inspired you to become a mompreneur and how did you get started?
Catherine: What inspired me most about being a homepreneur is being able to help others thru my handmade products. Most especially their mental well-being (mental health to be exact). I myself also have my own struggles and I found out how much Aromatherapy was able to help me calm down my senses and give me the much-needed time out.
So I thought of sharing these with others and made my very own scented candles made from sustainable and eco-friendly materials since I also advocate helping save Mother Earth in my own ways.
And thus, the birth of Cami Candles. I started just in the small corner of my house with lots of trial and error in my formulation. And finally, I was able to get the perfect mix. I gave some samples to my family and friends to try it out. Their feedback was good and it was a go signal for me to finally start selling my eco-friendly/healthy candles here in Cagayan de Oro (CDO).
Balancing Act: Nurturing Business, Marriage, and Motherhood
How did you handle balancing your business, marriage, and parenting duties?
Catherine: This is hard at first. Aside from my business, I have a full-time job. But I always believe that proper time management is the key to balancing everything. I have 2 kids diagnosed with ASD (autism), you can only imagine their needs especially my youngest who is 7 years old and nonverbal. It's really hard at first, but the good Lord will not give you something that you cannot handle. And of course, having a supportive husband with me makes it much easier.
Igniting the Flame: Overcoming Challenges in the Candle Market
What were the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
Catherine: As a start-up/small business, one of the biggest challenges is to really go out and introduce your brand in the market. Since it's new, some will not likely to buy it. But I try harder and did market research, do social media campaigns for my brand to be out in the open.
Had to find connections and establish networks wherein I can give samples of my scented candles and why it's different from others in the market and all that. And finally, SM Uptown was able to see my social media postings and offered me to be one of their merchants for their Christmas Bazaar, it was our big break. And I thank the Lord for giving answers to my prayers and guiding me in this business.
Sparking Success: Catherine's Tips for Mompreneurs Ready to Shine
What tips or advice do you have for other moms who want to start a business while raising a family?
Catherine: When starting a business, the very first thing you do is to ask yourself this question. Who do you want to help with the business? This would be the value proposition of your product and thus making it simple to determine your target market for your brand and everything follow.
Also, starting a business is not that easy. But if you have that heart and passion in you, this fuels everything! Always be open to failures and learn from them, because this is essential for the growth of your business. And lastly, submit to the Lord in everything that you do. Offer to Him the work of your hands and you will be blessed.
Cami Candles: Creating Moments of Serenity
Catherine's business, Cami Candles, offers a range of eco-friendly and healthy scented candles in small tins and big jars. In addition, she provides room and linen sprays that can also be used as car sprays, candle warmers for those who prefer unlit candles, and wax melts—a more affordable option to enjoy scented candles. To add a touch of elegance to homes, Cami Candles also offers Pillar or Molded Candles, perfect for home décor and aesthetics. Stay tuned for their upcoming Candle Making workshops, where Catherine will inspire others to explore their creative sides.
Connect with Cami Candles:
Support Catherine's business and follow her journey by connecting with Cami Candles on social media:
- Facebook: Cami Candles Facebook
- Instagram: @camicandlesph
- TikTok: @camicandlesph
Conclusion
Catherine's inspiring journey as a mompreneur teaches us invaluable lessons and provides a roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs and moms seeking to strike a balance. As we conclude our conversation with Catherine, let's take a moment to reflect on five key insights she shared:
- Embrace your passion: Follow your heart and pursue a business that aligns with your values and passions. Catherine's devotion to mental well-being and environmental sustainability drives her success.
- Manage your time effectively: Balancing business, marriage, and parenting duties requires excellent time management skills. Prioritize and allocate time for each aspect of your life to find harmony.
- Persist through challenges: Overcoming obstacles is part of every entrepreneur's journey. Catherine's determination and perseverance led her to significant breakthroughs, proving that persistence pays off.
- Learn from failures: View failures as valuable lessons that contribute to your growth. Embrace them, learn from them, and adapt your strategies accordingly.
- Surrender and seek guidance: Remember to surrender your work to God and seek His guidance in your entrepreneurial endeavors. Catherine acknowledges the Lord as a source of strength and blessing in her business.
To all the mompreneurs, aspiring mompreneurs, and entrepreneurs out there with a burning desire to make a difference, let Catherine’s inspiring journey with Cami Candles be your guiding light.
What flame will you ignite in the world? What unique offering will you bring to the market? Are you ready to embrace your passions, overcome challenges, and create a business that shines brightly? Take Catherine's words to heart and embark on your own entrepreneurial adventure, knowing that the Lord, our ABBA, will guide your steps.