FERGUS – Candlemaker Kristy Miller says she is a “residing instance” that goals actually can come true.
The founding father of The Scented Market, Miller has been named Entrepreneur of the 12 months by CanadianSME (Canada’s Small and Medium Enterprises) Enterprise Journal).
“That is a lot greater than an award,” Miller stated.
She hopes her accomplishment encourages individuals in the neighborhood to trust and take dangers, as a result of “your dream may come true too.”
The Scented Market makes and sells candles and different dwelling and physique merchandise, with shops in Fergus, Guelph, Paris and Niagara. The merchandise are made on-site on the Guelph location.
Since launching in 2018 the Scented Market has donated greater than $15,000 again to the group.
Miller stated it’s this connection to group that units her aside – “I used to be by no means on this enterprise to promote you a candle and stroll away,” she stated.
Her intention from the get-go has been to encourage her core values: self-love and self-care.
Gracie Klutz, a good friend of Miller’s and fellow entrepreneur, accompanied her to the SME awards ceremony in Toronto on Could 5.
Klutz is a Fergus resident who makes classic fashionwear like pin-up headbands, fanny packs, bow ties and scrunchies.
Merely attending the awards ceremony felt like a privilege, Miller stated, as a result of it was “unimaginable to be in a room full of wonderful entrepreneurs,” and she or he felt a robust reference to the opposite individuals there.
Tons of of entrepreneurs from throughout Canada had been nominated, she famous, and “individuals flew in from throughout Canada to Toronto for the ceremony.’
When her title was known as out, Miller was shocked to appreciate she had received.
“My coronary heart sank into my abdomen,” and she or he felt validated as a profitable entrepreneur and practitioner of her craft as a result of her friends had been “placing me on this pedestal by giving me this award.”
The SME awards are adjudicated by about 15 judges, Miller famous, together with Rocco Rossi, the president and chief government officer of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.
“My enterprise is a real definition of what I really like and what brings me pleasure,” Miller stated,
She added The Scented Market’s new assortment of seashore glass candles are impressed by certainly one of her favorite methods to chill out and take time for herself: accumulating seashore glass.
She stated the three candles on this assortment make her really feel “heat and fuzzy inside.”
Miller tries to unfold these joyful emotions to her prospects. Whether or not it’s via a candle scent triggering a liked reminiscence or a “sugar scrub that provides your legs a pep in your step,” she stated its “these little issues in life which have such a big effect.”
Miller famous she fills her personal “happiness cup” by “being inspirational to others in the neighborhood.
“If I can solely encourage one individual a day, my job is completed,” she stated.