An Interview With Nicki - The Amazing Woman Behind 3-8-1 Candles

So, some of you may have just read my 3-8-1 Candles review HERE, and if you haven't you should check it out!  They are amazing candles with REAL jewelry hidden inside (the minimum value of any piece of jewelry you will get is $39.99 which is higher than the price of the candle, and you can get a piece worth well over $2,000!!).

I was so impressed with my Caribbean Teakwood candle (and the amazing ring I found in it), that I wanted to learn what inspired Nicki to start 3-8-1 Candles.  So, I asked her if she would do an interview with me and she did!


Me: I've got to start by stating that I LOVE your candles. I was amazed at how nice the scent of the candle was, as well as how nice the jewelry was. It made me want to know more about what inspired you.

1. I love everything about your candles from the look and smell, to how long they burn and the fun surprise jewelry at the bottom. What was the inspiration behind creating 3-8-1 Candles?

I had my husbands wedding ring engraved, and they only gave me so many characters to work with, so I came up with 3-8-1 - which we both now have tattooed, too!

I've been making candles for 12 years, mostly just out of my kitchen and giving them as gifts to friends and family. I knew that one day I wanted to own my own candle shop. I was busily working my career (professionally licensed scopist/proofreader) and told my husband that now was the time and I needed his support. Then my candle shop was built!

Nicki with her family (note - you can see the beginning of  her 3-8-1 tattoo)

2. I've made crafty candles from a kit before, so I know that you don't just simply pour wax into a jar and slap a sticker on it. It requires patience as well as expertise. What is your favorite thing about making candles?

So many people don't understand the concept of "it's not just simply pouring wax and slapping a label on it". Candle making is a true science, and I have a TRUE passion for it! I love knowing just the right temperatures, and pour time. My absolute favorite is experimenting, and getting the scent, burn, and throw JUST right!

3. I've been really reading what your scents are made from, and they all sound simply amazing. How do you come up with your scents?

Honestly, I will be the first to admit (and I've been called it many times), I'm a total scent snob! There are SO many amazing scents out there, and picking just the right ones sure doesn't come easy. I order in a lot of what I call "little guys". They are just 1oz sample scents, and I do A LOT of experimenting. Sometimes if a scent is being requested, I will order it in and have a few fans "test" it out for me before releasing - that's for the scents that I know I personally am not going to like.

4. Is there a scent that is requested more than the others?

I have quite a few popular scents. Most men LOVE the Blueberry Cobbler, women are fond of the True Love's Spell or the Black Raspberry Vanilla, and kids are attracted to the Very Vanilla.

5. Do you personally have a favorite scent?

My absolute favorite scent is Banana Nut Bread! It's spot on to a true banana nut bread loaf right out of the oven - yum!

6. I've also been reading your Facebook page and your website testimonials, so I know that people love your candles and the quality jewelry inside them. What inspired you to focus on quality (the jars are beautiful, you use soy wax, and the jewelry is REAL)?

Quality is by far number one on my list. There are quite a few competitors out there right now, and they all have the same "look" to me, so I dared to be different! Personally, I've always loved the unique look of a square jar. I also think that having a candle in your home should have more of an eloquent/bold/classy look. I prefer to know what scent my candle is, but I don't like the "pictures" of what it is. (i.e. Birthday Cake, with a picture of a cake on the front label.) I wanted people to want to keep the logo on their jars even after the candle is gone . Quality will ALWAYS come first to me, never quantity. with all the positive comments on my testimonials page on my Web site, as well as the comments that have been left on the 3-8-1 Facebook page, it's important to me to keep the positive comments coming!

[I'd like to add here that throughout our chats, I learned that Nicki feels it is very important to pick scents infused with essential oils, which she believes gives her the higher quality candle that people are looking for]

7. Is there anything that you find particularly rewarding about creating, and running 3-8-1 Candles?

I absolutely LOVE the gratifying moments. I strive to provide excellent customer service, and when it gets noticed, it makes my heart smile I have quite a few "special" fans that are dear to my heart, and am ever so thankful to have met them because of my candles. I also donate a lot to Lyme Disease Awareness...knowing that I am actually helping people could not bring me greater joy! The stories from the people that 3-8-1 Candles has helped is truly heart wrenching!

8. I noticed on your website that 100% of the profit of each sale of The Day at the Spa scented candles goes to Lyme Research and Education in support of Lyme Disease Awareness, what drove you to choose Lyme Disease as a cause worthy of your company's attention?

I have a dear friend named Lisa. She truly has one of the kindest hearts/souls I have ever met. She is ill with Chronic Lyme, and it's SO hard to read what she goes through on a day-to-day basis. She is a HUGE Lyme activist, and takes time out of her day every single day for other people with Lyme. I really wanted to do something special for her, so I had her come to the shop, choose a scent, and pick both of the companies that the donations go to. Not to mention, I am probably the biggest anti-tick person you will ever meet. lol

9. Anything you would like to add?

I love what I do. I have an absolute passion for candle making. To have been making my candles in my kitchen, and now have my own shop and work with some AMAZING people (bloggers, friends, family) is the best thing that could have ever happened to me in my life! I'm a passionate person in general, and have absolutely no problem whatsoever taking the time out for my customers, whether it's answering questions, being involved in everyday conversations, or taking the time to make their order just a tad special

I'd like to say another quick Thank You to Nicki for taking the time to chat with me tonight.  I am so impressed with her candles, and hope that I've been able to convey how impressed I am with her quality and what a great lady she is.

~ Wendi