We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Oddette Staple-Brown. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Oddette below.
Oddette, thank you so much for joining us and offering your lessons and wisdom for our readers. One of the things we most admire about you is your generosity and so we’d love if you could talk to us about where you think your generosity comes from.
My inclination towards generosity is firmly integrated both in my cultural background and upbringing. My upbringing reflects an interdependent culture, where individuals perceive themselves as interconnected and prioritize the well-being of everyone and not just self. I was born in Jamaica, specifically in a city recognized as the breadbasket of the entire island, where farming and fishing thrived, I was surrounded by an abundance of readily available food. This environment significantly contributed to shaping my mindset that is centered around sharing and giving. Sharing with our neighbors and vice versa became an instinct for us.
Moreover, the values my parents instilled in me since childhood have further shaped my generosity. The emphasis they placed on gratitude and the importance of giving back have become integral parts of my character. It’s a combination of cultural influences and personal values that contribute to my generous spirit, making it a genuine and ingrained aspect of who I am today.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions, we had for you?
I am the visionary, founder, creative force, and Chief Everything Officer (CEO) at Oh D’Luxe Candle Company. What initially served as a creative outlet during the pandemic has blossomed into a thriving business nearly four years later. Situated in Bridgeport, Connecticut, we specialize in crafting eco-friendly, vegan, non-toxic, cruelty-free, and sustainable candles, and home fragrances.
Our dedication lies in the creation of uniquely scented products, with the majority of fragrances expertly blended in-house. Each item is handmade in small batches, ensuring a commitment to quality while remaining purposeful in maintaining affordability.
The inception of our story dates to 2020, born out of a passion for all things fragrant—a creative endeavor and a means to pass the time during the pandemic. My husband smelled the candles burning around our home and thought they were too good not to share and Oh D’Luxe Candle Company was born.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Three key elements have significantly influenced my journey as a small business owner, encompassing qualities, skills, and areas of knowledge. My inherent patience, a valuable trait for a small business owner, has played a crucial role. Additionally, my natural creativity serves as the foundation for my business, contributing to its growth. Furthermore, holding both an undergraduate and graduate degree in business has equipped me with the knowledge gained through years of study, proving instrumental in my ongoing journey as a business owner.
Cultivating patience is possible; for business owners who may not inherently possess patience, it can be developed through intentional efforts in various relationships—starting from home, extending to the other external relationships, making its way into business relationships until it becomes a habitual practice. Not everyone is naturally inclined towards creativity, and those lacking this inclination might not naturally gravitate towards businesses requiring creative skills. However, with a solid business idea and unwavering determination, individuals can overcome this hurdle, either by developing their creative abilities or by enlisting the help of others. Importantly, it’s never too late to acquire knowledge. Abundant resources are readily available to assist in gaining valuable insights to foster business growth, and business owners should actively tap into these educational reservoirs.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
I’ve recently started reading “The 12-Week Year”, and it’s truly an inspiring read. As someone who often finds themselves immersed in a long list of tasks for the day, only to be derailed by other important things that would come in throughout the day such as, emails, phone calls, and orders I resonate with the challenges highlighted in the book. Responding to these incoming events throughout the day tends to push my to-do list further down the line, leading to either working late into the night or carrying tasks over to the next day.
The authors proposed a solution: rather than eliminating unplanned interruptions, they emphasize the importance of regularly blocking out time during the day/week to focus on strategically important tasks. They break down these time blocks into three essential categories: Strategic Blocks, Buffer Blocks, and Breakout Blocks. All three are integral components working together to create a successful workday/week, and I am excited about incorporating them into my work schedule.
A Strategic Block entails a 3-hour period of uninterrupted time, that is scheduled in advance. During these blocks, all distractions such as phone calls, emails, and visitors are put on hold, allowing complete focus on predetermined tasks. A Buffer Block is pre-allocated time designed to handle unexpected events that may arise. By combining unproductive activities into groups, we can minimize inefficiencies and regain control of our day. Lastly, a Breakout Block is a minimum 3-hour segment scheduled during normal business hours, free from any work-related activities. This time is dedicated to refreshing and reinvigorating oneself, ensuring a return to work with renewed focus and effectiveness.
I am currently in the process of integrating these blocks into my work schedule and am optimistic about the positive impact they will have on my productivity and work-life balance.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ohdluxecandles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohdluxecandles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ohdluxecandles
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oddette-s-0127a582/
- Other: Pinterest https://www.pinterest.com/OhdluxecandleCo/
Image Credits
Helen Gallup Photography Lock and Company Photography Kristin Kolozian
