puma52

Gorgeous Trappeur!!! You did an awesome job creating that! That is too cute...you need to market these. So different and unique....wedding planners would love to offer these to brides for weddings.  I can smell it now......

11 hours ago, TallTayl said:

Would Tennessee consider letting people order a keg of their favorites before they close up shop for Good? It would be a quick way to stir up some cash for them and save the scents you rely on most for your business until replacements are found.

It would be nice, but there are so many scents that we all would want. Fingers crossed someone will purchase. I did speak w/Kimberlie last week and she is just ready to move on and start over. After having spoken with her.....I am not sure she would do this....I could be wrong, but it was in her voice.  I did tell her that we wish her the best of everything in her future and told her we appreciated her and Brent offering such wonderful scents and being so kind and wonderful to deal with.

3 hours ago, OldGlory said:

I love your excitement Puma. It's really contagious.

Back at ya OldGlory! It shall all work out the way it is supposed to in the end. All good!

On 8/12/2016 at 0:52 PM, TallTayl said:

People went round and round like this when TSW went OOB. All that was left at the time was the non-moving, unpopular inventory. The real value was in the codes not the boat anchor of aged inventory. They wanted something like a quarter million at the time. Without seeing the books I would not have even considered it. 

 

A small business like this would be pretty difficult to run as a partnership for profit, IMO. Someone just needs to negotiate a reasonable deal and pony up the cash as a sole investment and run with it if it seems worth while.

 

Similar closings a led to established fragrance sellers like Daystar, PFO, AHrE and Brambleberry extending their already popularlines. I think what a lot of people figure out is that very similar fragrances are available at other existing places just under a different name. Remember how many MW were just renames of Lebermuth and other FO?

You know TallTayl....it really is a sudden onset of sadness, desperation AND a totally helpless feeling when you see the owners of a company that you love and that you buy several awesome scents off of closing. The fact that Brent and Kimberlie were so sweet and had this dream of growing and having this company just compounds the sadness.  There of feelings of pain for the owners and also for us a feeling of there is no where else I can get these scents, the customers love them and what the heck am I going to do now...because OUR businesses ARE all about the scents these businesses carry.  It is a sense of helplessness all the way around. The partnership suggestion was just that...a combined feeling of sadness and wanting to make sure these fragrances don't go away...a wishing out loud. Unfortunately, I know this won't and wouldn't work....there I was dreaming again. . I just hope that someone buys this company and we all can proceed as normal.

5 hours ago, maryta said:

I'm with you on Hotel Costes   lol!   Thanks for the tip about AFI. I just ordered some samples - I got some Jo Malones to try in perfumes :). Got my fingers crossed for those!! If my business ever gets big enough, I am going to ask them to duplicate "Sweet Annie" for me. I have two tarts left from a candle place. I sent some out to a smaller FO supplier a fewmonths ago but they said they could not dupe it :(. 

 

I have to add that I emailed a question to AFI and they responded within 5 minutes!

 

Let us know what you think of your samples...Would love to hear.

8 hours ago, Trappeur said:

 

Well, don't you all keep worrying about the business and where it's going and all that because I PLAN on winning the big lotto this weekend and I will buying her business and keeping all the fragrances! So there!

 

Trappeur

Would you let me buy some from ya friend?

1 hour ago, OldGlory said:

I think the fragrance part of the business would be nice. Maybe not a 'full time' income, but for the right person in the right circumstances, a nice part time business. Definitely doable if Kimberly agrees to it.

I buy some FOs from a wholesaler, specifically AFI. You can buy 10 lbs or 100 lbs. I am not familiar with the minimums at other wholesalers but this would be the perfect time to investigate that.

You know OldGlory, I was looking on the National Candle Association and there are tons of fragrance manufacturers. How does a person choose? AFI has been mentioned a lot on different blogs, but are they the best one to create scents for a company? Who does a person talk with to guide you to the best fragrance manufacturers?  Do you feel that AFI has your best interests at heart? Do you feel that they really care about how satisfied YOU are with their scents? There really is a lot of thought, ideas, suggestions, considerations that go into scent making. So interesting though!

3 hours ago, justajesuschick said:

That "someone" could still be you!

My granddaughters live in Nashville so I could come and visit your operation! Once I retire from my corporate gig, since my wax business is 100% online, it goes where I go. I may end up in TN!

Will be eager to hear if you perhaps inquire about a price for buying the scent information!

 

Ah....you are so sweet!! TCS is only 2 hrs away from us here in Sevierville. Gracious, it would be SO nice to get these scents and be able to offer them just exactly the way Brent and Kimberlie did...uncut and unique and there for anyone who wants to buy them. My husband and I were really throwing the idea around.  It's terrible when your favorite scents go away. Yes, people will try to replace them, but some of them just aren't replaceable no matter which other vendor you may buy from. It's just sad...but who knows what may happen? Someone just may buy her business and keep it going just the way it always has, Wouldn't that be such an awesome tribute to Brent? I just love that idea.

By the way, I am sure that I could learn a lot from you JAJC. A person who is in this business needs to constantly keep learning and growing. Gracious! I would love to meet ya!! Have you ever been over here to Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Smoky Mtns area?  I am sure you have. We live in the country, but we can hear the Dollywood train whistle and see most of their fireworks when they have them going. (They do the fireworks every night during the Summer until school time. The last ones they set off was just last weekend) This is just the nicest area and I love the people!! LOVE the people!! Lots to do and when life gets too stressful, you have those beautiful mountains to run to. The streams, the critters. It would be awesome to have more of our folks closer to this area.  I would just love to find a perfect little niche (store)  to sell candles, gifts, wreaths etc in. I would love to have it right in The Old Mill area.  Have a couple of big ole rocking chairs out front, offer coffee and have mountain dulcimer music playing. Dream ...dream! 

6 hours ago, justajesuschick said:

YES!! This is very true.

The 30K she is asking for the business likely does not include anything more than customer lists, current inventory and proprietary information such as the scent distributor detail which would include these codes. New agreements would need to be established with all suppliers or all materials. Warehouse space would have to be secured. It will not be enough to have a fragrance business which just offers a few oils. You will need many more. That will take warehouse space and employees. The oil will arrive in drums and need to be bottled, labeled, inventoried and of course be shipped. 

 

I would be happy to aid/advise anyone who does this with website setup and detail on effective social media. I do not wish to be a part of a distribution business (I am busy enough running my own!) but could certainly lend my expertise. 

You are right! I feel my excitement leeching out of my body.... .  If a person really wanted to do something like this, their best bet would be just to build from the ground up...slowly and steadily. An excellent fragrance manufacturer could get pretty darned close to duplicating these scents. Oh well, I just hope someone buys it and carries on the tradition of offering these wonderful scents.

6 hours ago, OldGlory said:

You know, I checked into opening a candle supplier business while I was in San Antonio last year visiting my sister. I couldn't get a connection for wax. The minimums where too large. With her health issues I can't tie myself to anything in TN, so joining a partnership or buying a business here is out of the question for me. I may be selling my business within the next 12 months.

Anyone who is considering buying her business should have very deep pockets because you are going to have to buy a LOT of inventory. I think she's sold down on her existing inventory, to the point that what's left is really what people are not interested in. That would give me a few moments of thought. If Kimberly doesn't sell the business as is, and if Aztec isn't willing to get the codes for the FOs y'all want, I think the smartest thing to do would be to make an offer for the FO part of the business. To me, that's the valuable part of her business.

You hit it right on the head OldGlory!!! The fragrance!!!  That is the money maker!!  That is the only thing that I would be interested in .... the fragrance line....some of the scents I would D/C, but would replace with other new ones. You are right....the inventory will be sold to the bare bones and the person buying would get what's left....I am sure that office equipment, melters etc would be included. Pretty expensive dealings...but the codes to the scents and the supplier for them would be wonderful to have. The customer list would be icing on the cake.

2 hours ago, OldGlory said:

Puma.... YOU need to buy that business and continue her FO line.

53 minutes ago, Trappeur said:

Ditto, ditto Puma!  yes, you DO need to buy the business!

 

I'll call her and find out what realestate agent has the listing.

 

Trappeur

Wishy, wishy I could!! NOW.....if a few of US ALL went in together, bought the business and formed a partnership...got a great lawyer, accountant, a whizz on the computer and last but not least an awesome PR person to promote the heck out of it.........now THAT'S what I'm a talkin' about!:)  I have envisioned new scents, how to's (because let me tell ya...those how to's using your products really sells YOUR products...ie Wholesale Supplies Plus, Nature's Garden, Brambleberry) , adding a few other products along the way would be awesome too. People do partnerships all the time. HOW in the world we could all keep these wonderful products in our worlds has been on my mind constantly ever since I seen that email from Kimberlie about closing the business. Constantly!! Eeek....what can we all do??!!

On 8/8/2016 at 8:27 PM, Trappeur said:

So correct me if I am wrong, if she is selling off all her inventory, it sounds like she is selling her business name, reputation, all her contacts and vendors and names of customers, is that right?  Is that how it works?

 

Trappeur

Question Trappeur,

Have you talked w/Kimberlie any more this week? I wonder if she is still continuing their original business...Kimberlies Kandles? I wonder who has her TCS listing if she does have it w/a realtor?

I've been to the Gift show a couple of times.....i bet we passed each other. It  sounds like you and your sister had a really good time. The trolleys are an awesome way to get around in Gatlinburg and how those drivers maneuver those big ole things around amazes me. But, they are so fun to ride and it's fun to talk w/the drivers. Gatlinburg is a truly unique and beautiful place. Wow...we are close!! We DO need to get together sometime soon.

3 hours ago, Trappeur said:

Well, when you head my way Puma (I'm not that too far away from you!) I'll have beers on ice waiting for your arrival and I'll chug a lug my Bloody Marys as we sit on the porch like you said and have good times making friends!  Hope you like steak, cause that's what I'll cook on the grill with roasted corn cob and grilled potatoes....sound like a plan?  Anyone else want to come, the more the merrier.

 

Trappeur

 

Hee hee....careful....I just might take you up on it! How far away are you from Sevierville/Gatlinburg?Would I ever love to sit with ya on the porch!! I would love to pet and cuddle those sweet fur babies and beautiful horses...oh that would be SO fun!! Of course , we WOULD have to talk shop! Have you ever came up for the Gatlinburg shows they have in the Convention Center? 

Hi Patricia! Welcome!!

Hi Arien!! Glad you joined the crowd!! Welcome!

So pretty Jcandleattic!! Love the pearl touch! I bet it is a heck of a fizzer too!

I love them all! I have great difficulty picking just three....but here are some of my top ones:

Cajun Candles

Candle Science

Sweetcakes

TallTayl.....yes TallTayl ....she who brings and is bringing The Scent Works' most fabulous scents back to life and to us!

Wholesale Supplies Plus

RE

Backwoods

Tennessee Candle Supply (I know they are closing...but they are near and dear to my heart...I sure hope someone buys this business! )

Candle Cocoon

Texas Candle Supply

By the way...I love revisiting EmilysPoppys' thread!

Bored with those wonderful, delightful...oh my gosh I can so see myself drinking a beer on the front porch with you and listening to the late Summer night bugs pictures?? No way!!! I love them!! You live in a beautiful home surrounded by beautiful things...animal and plant wise both! It looks like heaven Trappeur! Thanks for sharing!

3 hours ago, gail164 said:

I'm going to place an order today from TCS for the 12 1oz samples for $21.00 any other "must haves" from there? Thank you!

I also love their Sun Washed Denim! When you get them ...would love to hear what you think Gail.

8 hours ago, gail164 said:

Please note that any western type fragrances I have mentioned in my posts have been from Southwest Candle Supply not Texas Candle Supply......I haven't tried TCS yet! For some reason I got them mixed up in my post ? not sure why I got them mixed up but just realized it today and thought I should clarify as to not mislead anyone........wow......kind of scary! My excuse is working 12 hours a day,  7 days a week for over 1 month and trying to do some candles too! Lol! Sorry for any confusion! 

Oh Gail....if you tried the Texas Candly Supply Leather...oh it is just the best! Belinda (thank you!, thank you girl!  :)) told me about it when I just could not find a good leather. That leather from TCS is heavenly ....try blending it with tobacco from Aztec...soooo good!

8 hours ago, Belinda said:

Puma you can still get BCS candy corn from BCN. I think it's in limited supply though.

Thank you Belinda for the info!   I'm ordering Harvest and All Hallow's Eve from them very shortly too.

Gracious! You make me feel like I'm being lazy Krazekelly! I love your soaps!! You have been working so hard and it shows...beautiful soaps ya got there!

2 hours ago, Terry said:

Great demo Puma, thank you!

The soap of the month demos have certainly peaked my interest in making soap!  Have been doing some research on the board on soap making and will definitely order the book you recommend to help me get started.  I am glad you mentioned the part about not being afraid of the lye because that was definitely one of the reasons I was steering more towards the melt and pour soap.  Let me ask -- does lye have an odor and do you need a well ventilated place to use it? 

Hi Terry!

I hope you do buy the book and are encouraged to make your own soap. The lye by itself does not have an odor, but when you pour the lye into your water mixture, it does create a vapor and smell that you do not want to inhale as they could be harmful to you. When I pour my lye into the water mixture, I am not standing over it, but to the side and stir from the side carefully also, but the harmful vapors are not a constant....once you stir very well to combine the lye with the water and after letting it set for a few minutes to let the vapor evaporate, it is just fine. You still do not want to get this mixture on you as it will burn you, but the vapor part does go away eventually. The pic I took was after my lye water had set for several minutes and was no longer letting off the vapor.  I sure hope you try making soap Terry....I swear ...it's good stuff!

I just love your labels Trappeur!! Just beautiful and screams buy me now!! The colors are fantastic and compliment each other perfectly. Love the bear, caribou and trees!!   Your other candles are so gorgeous too and look so creamy!  You do awesome work girl!! I just am so tickled when you put your sweet fur babies in the pics...just love them!!  Keep the pics coming, I love it when you post the goodies you are working on!