By Lacie DeGough
Randy and Shannon Gabbard
Randy and Shannon Gabbard, owners of Coal Country Candles, are proof that Invest 606’s benefits extend far beyond financial rewards. As members of Invest 606’s 2023 cohort, Randy and Shannon greatly appreciate the positive impact that the program had on their business!
Located in Hazard, Kentucky, Coal Country Candles specializes in crafting hand-poured soy candles that reflect the heart of Appalachia. The business was established by Randy and Shannon to honor Shannon’s father and grandfather, both coal miners. Her grandfather lost his life in a mining accident before Shannon was born, leaving her grandmother with 13 of their 16 children still at home to support. Coal Country Candles was born out of a desire to pay tribute to the historic importance of coal in the Appalachian region.
All of Randy and Shannon’s candles are meticulously hand-poured in small batches, using 100% natural soy wax and fragrance oils. Offering a diverse range of scents, including distinctive Appalachian fragrances, Coal Country Candles produces fragrances that you won’t find just anywhere!
When asked about their involvement in the Invest 606 program and how it impacted their business, Randy and Shannon said that being a part of Invest 606 gave them the opportunity to step back and look at their business to see what their opportunities were.
“We were able to work with a professional to rebrand our business, which included a new logo and new website that better reflects our business and where we want it to go as we move forward.”
– Randy and Shannon Gabbard
They also joined the National Candle Association and had the opportunity to attend the National Candle Conference in 2023, which enabled them to network with other people in the industry, including other makers and suppliers. As a result, they have been able to test waxes and fragrances that they otherwise would not have known about, and have even been able to work directly with manufacturers to have custom fragrances blended for their business.
“Since participating in Invest 606, we have seen a 50% increase in our overall revenue. Our fundraiser program also grew by 50% from 2022 to 2023, resulting in over $25,000 going directly to schools in our region. With the redesign of our website, we saw a 226% increase in online sales. With this growth, we have once again outgrown our current retail space. We are in the process of renovating a storefront space which will allow us to continue to grow and expand the selection of products that we offer.”
– Randy and Shannon Gabbard
As a part of their business plan, they also plan to have a walk-in “Pour Your Own Candle” experience once the new storefront is open so that customers can become “mixologists” and create their own custom scented candles by blending their own fragrance and pouring their own candle with Randy and Shannon’s expert guidance.
“Pour Your Own Candle” experience hosted by Coal Country Candles
The assistance that Invest 606 provides goes far beyond monetary prizes. From a supportive community of small businesses to helpful training that impacts entrepreneurs for years to come, this program has it all. If this sounds like something that would benefit your small business, follow Invest 606 on Instagram and Facebook so that you can be notified when applications for the next cohort open up! And don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter by entering your email below.
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Be sure to follow Randy and Shannon’s business journey by checking out their website and social media pages below!
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