Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Julie Payne. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Julie, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
The people that come to my shop keep my creativity in motion. I opened doors to Gwen Marie late fall 2022, I’m a new business, so maybe once more people come this will change (i kind of don’t think so!) but one of my favorite things since jumping in to this endeavor is that no two people that have come in have ever made the same thing. They can use the same items for their candle creation and still have them be completely unique. The shop is kind of funky and there’s a lot going on which can be a little overstimulating sometimes but for the most part people get really comfortable, quickly, and conversations flow. By the time someone’s candle is done most likely we’ve laughed (or cried!) together and I’ve definitely learned something. I love when people offer up suggestions or ask questions or say something that triggers some sort of new project for me and it’s always fun to run different ideas or activities by candle makers at the bar. We’ve started messing around with waxing flowers and making wax bouquets or just tying a single waxed flower on a gift bag for an unexpected detail, and making concrete candle vessels people can “graffiti” on which has been an entertaining way to spend time while the candles set. Everyone has an inner artist. I love creating, and watching others create, so I’m excited to have a place to do so.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
We are a full service florist and have a brick and mortar with a gift shop in the front and a flower and candle bar in the back. We create and customize personalized gifts for you or have all the goods for you to come in and do it yourself. Our candles are body safe and made with essential oils and a house blend of soy and coconut wax. Aside from the custom candle making, we do topicals and diffusers and perfume rollers. Creating the blends for the rollers is a lot of fun. Everyone’s noses are very different so sometimes its a comical challenge! 😉 You can book a party or experience date with us as well. I love the private bookings. It’s important to me to have each experience be tailored to the group and if there is a guest of honor (i.e. birthday, bride, etc.) we want them to feel extra special and figure out how to incorporate surprise little details for them. Every group we’ve had has been a blast, legit! When people call in and want to send a gift to a loved one, and can’t be here to create it themselves we put a lot of thought into how to personalize it and make it special incorporating favorite things however we can. Each individual and circumstance and budget is unique so each flower arrangement or custom labeled candle, gift basket or event is different and I think that’s what makes us special.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I’ve learned that there is always so much more to learn! Whatever you are putting into motion may take twice as much money, time and tears as you had planned so brace yourself, lean on the people around you and enjoy the journey!
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Honestly, before I blew off my career and jumped into being an entrepreneur, I had just re-read “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho for the first time in 20+ years, a close friend had passed away and my mom had just been diagnosed with cancer, and I thought -Life is short, what the heck, if not now, when?- and I took the leap! Was it the book (mid-life crisis or circumstances?) idk? but reading “People are capable, at any time in their lives, of doing what they dream.” and “It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” and “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” played a role in me shifting gears and kicking off this new journey, and for that I am grateful!
Contact Info:
- Website:Â www.shopgwenmarie.com
- Instagram:Â @shopgwenmarie
