EforAll Entrepreneur Spotlight - Tarraza of Candles by Tarraza
Meet EforAll Entrepreneur Tarraza of Candles by Tarraza
Tarraza completed her EforAll Cape Cod Business Accelerator this past Spring and we're incredibly excited to highlight her new business venture, Candles by Tarrazza, an all natural, soy candle company made offering a selection of candles with hemp wicks, vegetable based coloring, and skin-safe scents.
To kick us off, describe your business and what you're bringing to the Cape community.
I hand make all natural 100% soy candles. They are long lasting and nontoxic. I use hemp wicks, EVO dyes -vegetable based coloring, and my scents are skin safe. I can customize your candle by combining your favorite color & scent in one of my various container choices. In addition, a special service I offer to locals is a recycle-reuse-re-purpose method. I can refill that favorite container (of any size) that you have at home. Just clean it out, contact me and we can find a central meeting place on Cape for me to pick it up and then fill it for you. Or if you return one of my large containers, I can refill it for you with for $1 off your purchase. Another option I offer to businesses (or for special occasions like weddings) is a scent and/or logo customization. I can either create a specific scent, or if you would like your logo superimposed as a swag item, gift, or to sell I can do that as well.
When we speak with Cape-based entrepreneurs and small business owners, many of them are passionate about keeping their businesses on Cape. What do you find special (or challenging!) about being an entrepreneur on Cape Cod?
What I find special is the support, it is overwhelming and long lasting. The businesses here truly support one another and offer amazing partnerships and mentoring. Cape Codder's sincerely want small businesses to succeed here and offer help in many ways. One of the major challenges would be the cost of doing business here. I was born and raised here and the cost of doing business in addition to the cost of living has always been expensive.
What is the most valuable thing you are taking away from the EforAll Cape Cod Business Accelerator?
The connections, support, networking, and camaraderie. I also learned more about the struggles and challenges of owning a business. I absorbed a lot of good information through the different topics within the curriculum.
At CCYP, one of our strategic priorities is to promote Cape Cod as a vibrant place for young people to live and work, year-round. What would you tell other entrepreneurs thinking about starting their businesses on Cape?
Do it! Follow your dream and don't get discouraged. There are so many good people here willing to support you and once I am established, I plan on being one of those driving forces.
And lastly, what are you working on now that the CCYP community should be on the lookout for?
Well, currently I am on the Green Road Refill bus (Bettie) shout out to Jess! I have also partnered with the Polar Cave Ice Cream Parlour and customized a scent for them. My candles can be found in the Paradise Liquor and Gift store as well as the Hyannis Mini Food Mart. I attend the local craft fairs and festivals across the Cape - The Cranberry Festival, Oktoberfest, Seaside Festival, Live Love Local Festivals in Sept & Dec as well as a few others. You can find a listing of my upcoming shows on my website: www.candlesbytarraza.com. I am also looking to start hosting candle making classes and partner with a few more businesses.