If you have been following this series for any length of time, you know I have a special place in my heart for companies that give back. And if you have ever been into my home, you know I love candles. And Shop Bisby just happens to be the marriage of both those things. Nicole herself is the type of person that diffuses happiness and joy to the people around her, and her beautiful candles do the same.
Name: Nicole Bisby Daadaoui
Business Name: Shop Bisby
Website: Shopbisby.com
Favorite Dessert: Salted Caramel Gelato!
Favorite Artist/Album: Bob Marley? Bob Dylan? That’s hard, I love so many!
When did you start your business? 2013 in my tiny apartment kitchen.
What inspired you to start it? I was looking for a great Christmas gift for family and friends. I have always been fond of a handmade gift so I decided to try candles. Then, to my great surprise people actually liked them and wanted more! So it kind of happened organically. I had not intention of starting a business.
What would you say was your biggest challenge to overcome? I, like many new entrepreneurs, struggled at first with the “perfect” business idea and the “perfect” product idea in my head; I constantly compare myself to other companies and entrepreneurs. I was second-guessing myself every step of the way. I would put out a product then criticize it and cut myself down. I will tell you from experience that shit is TOXIC! Stop it. REALLY, stop! Okay I am still talking to myself here a little. It’s hard to start a new business, and put yourself out there for the world so see. Now I always try and remind myself of the famous Roosevelt quote, "It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming:"
Who/what was your biggest encouragement and why? My boss at the time Andrea Mason! She was so great at encouraging me to push forward and follow my passion; she was the first person to place an “order” and I will never forget that! I also had some pretty great friends and family that helped me along the way! What a great community we have in OKC for entrepreneurs, everywhere I turned people where supportive of what I was doing, and still are! Now as the business has grown, I have taken it on full-time, and I could not do that without the love and support of my husband! He also holds the title of key “heavy box mover” at Shop Bisby.
““It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming:” - Roosevelt”
What is your favorite part of your business: Meeting people. I’ve been able to work on custom scents with a couple boutiques and I just love being a part of their business in such a unique way. I get to know my clients and chat with them about things they love. I also really enjoy meeting people at events and show!
If you had advice to anyone who might be starting a business like yours? I never stated making candles to be an entrepreneur, when I started I had a full-time job, was a part-time fitness instructor, and was taking a graduate course. I had ZERO free time at all but something in my brain was telling me I needed this in my life. So my advice would be if you are staying up late at night thinking about it, or staying in on a Friday night to work on the idea, if it has taken hold of you..DO IT! Don’t think about failure, who cares if you fail. People fail all the time, trust me I’ve done it a lot, it’s okay, we all survive : ) !
Anything else about your small business that you’re passionate about? Community is so important to me. I have volunteered with non-profits around the world and here locally, my heart is forever with those in need on earth. I decide to give 5% of my candle profits back to a community non-profit, Positive Tomorrows, a school for homeless children in OKC. I just want to do my part to help our community.
Thanks for sharing with us Nicole! xoxo Ely