Natalie has created a candle empire from scratch in Frisco, TX. I am beyond impressed by her grit and determination to achieve great things. Natalie transformed her life and career several times and has found a way to make her passion for candle-making the vehicle to her success. She knocked on all kinds of doors and leaned on her community to open the doors for her and her products. I am starting to think she is incapable of taking NO for an answer and that is exactly the secret behind her success.

Faced with life-altering moments in her life she decided to make a magical lemonade with the sourest lemons. She is a mom 1st and a talented entrepreneur second. Any other person would have just given up but she decided to rise. With the help of her favorite coffee Busatelo and some music, she powers through midnight candle-making shifts.

Natalie is a single mother of two and everything she does is with both her boys in mind. One of them is already a father himself and the other is only 9 so she has been parenting for a while and to this day being a mom is what keeps pushing her forward.

Keep an eye on this lady because you will be hearing about her for a long time!

 

Let’s meet NATALIE

Q+A

Who is Natalie Espinal?

I’m just a single mom running a small business that I love dearly, from my home, while raising my 9-year-old! I’m thankful for every day and everyone in my life.

 

Favorite quote? Why does it resonate with you?

There are two…but the one that sticks with me..even to this day is a quote from the movie Vanilla Sky…

 

“Every passing minute is another chance to turn it all around.”  It resonates with me on so many levels because it’s true. You can change your life right now. You can be whoever you want to be if you want it enough. It is never too late. 

 What is the “girl power song” that gets you ready for a tough day? 

Lol…don’t laugh! It’s not a girl song per se…but it pumps me up! It’s “Eye Of The Tiger” by Survivor. I see myself as a survivor and you should definitely listen to it one morning! My favorite line from that song…

“It’s the eye of the tiger It’s the thrill of the fight rising up to the challenge of our rival…”

 

What is your favorite TV show and why do you love it?

FRIENDS!!!!! I think many love the show…for me, it’s about friendship~loyalty~laughter~communication and COFFEE!!! lol! It’s based out of New York City which is where I was raised…and it will always be my go-to show if I’m ever having a bad day.

 

You have worked in different fields before focusing on candles. Tell us more about your work life before 192 Candle co.?

When I lived in New York City I worked in advertising~FOX TV then eventually worked as a receptionist for JFK Jr.-George Magazine. It was an amazing experience. My oldest was 2 at the time and I wanted a better life for him so I decided to move to Texas! Up until my youngest was born in 2011, I worked in the medical field. OB/GYN-and Primary Care. I miss it. I miss my friends and I definitely miss my patients!

 

You are a night owl and lots of moms I have met for this blog also work into the late hours of the night. What is the schedule on a regular weekday for you?

Depending on the workload…it will vary, but for the most part, a typical day starts at 5:30 am. Between 5:30-6:30, I get myself ready and my son for school! Once he leaves around 7…I take a few hours to clean the house, do laundry and run errands! Once that is done I work on orders~fulfillments~customer pick ups~deliveries and restock my shop as needed! Around 2:30 I’ll make it a point to rest until it is time to pick my son up…then the mom duties come in! Once my son goes to sleep…I take an hour nap, That allows the wax to melt and coffee to brew! Once that hour is up…its’s work time! I usually start around 10 pm and work until 4-4:30 am. Take an hour nap then start again!! 🙂 By the way…you can totally shorten this..just wanted to give your the best breakdown possible!

 

When I am working I love having a TV in the background to keep me company. What is playing in the background when you are working? Do you listen to music, podcast, tv?

Music!!! It makes it fun and it goes by fast! Music is therapeutic!

 

I loved your valentine’s theme candles. So creative! Tell us about your creative process?

95% of my special occasion candles always come from customer requests! It’s important to have your own identity as a chandler. However…trends are always changing so I will always strive to create candles that will appeal to all demographics! My Valentine’s candles…are one of my favorites! Everyone has their Lobster… ;-P

Then there are times that I’ll hear or see something funny or awesome…then my creative side kicks in…and the end result surprises me and is loved by others…which at the end of the day is my goal!

 

You do a lot to promote Autism Awareness and your Autism Awareness candle collection is beautiful!!! Tell us more about this cause and why it is so dear to your heart.

Thank you so much. Yes…I do love to promote~raise awareness and encourage acceptance, because my youngest son, was diagnosed with Autism and other conditions in April 2014. Life is hard enough as it is, however, when any parent has a child on the spectrum, you are their voice. Their advocate. Their protector and their best friend. We are living in a very different world, and I feel that it is my due diligence to encourage others to learn about Autism. Children/Adults with Autism see the world in a way that we will never know. But you will see the beauty in things that we often take for granted. “Autism-Different Not Less.”

 

What about your oldest son? How has he been a part of your journey?

Through all of the hard times, and setting my business up, my oldest son Dylan was an amazing helper and supporter! I carry the guilt at times knowing that some of his teen years he sacrificed to be there with me through so many things! love you Dylan…you will always be my pocket full of sunshine! 

 

I am obsessed with your positive energy and it is truly contagious. How do you keep yourself looking on the bright side on the tough days? 

Well…believe it or not, I have bad days. I do struggle internally many times, however, I have to remind myself, that I woke up, I was given another day to make a difference. My mom keeps me focused, and my friends keep me grounded, and that in itself, makes me realize that I am blessed! Even tough days bring you a lesson. You just have to open your eyes and your heart. You’ll find it!

 

I love how vocal you are bout supporting your community. Tell us how you have joined forces with local businesses to support the community?

Local DFW moms are your biggest fans and they recommend you A LOT! How did your relationship with these moms begin and how is it helping you grow your business? I am no stranger to struggles, and there was a point in my life where, life was hard, finances were limited, and would not have been able to get through those times without the love and support of the community. Many struggles with admitting that they are going through hard times. I get it…I still get it. Fast forward to today, I have to admit that one thing that the pandemic did was bring people in our community together. Since 90% of my business is wholesale when the pandemic hit, many of the businesses I sold to, across the USA closed, so survivor mode kicked in, and I joined several groups that were business-based. I am SO HAPPY I DID! I discovered SO MANY talented moms who not only had or provided amazing services or products but were just like me. Moms! As things started worsening and families were struggling, it was my time to pay forward and participate in anything that would help families. It makes me happy knowing that I can. I’ve grown to love these women, moms, mompreneurs. So many wonderful things happened and I will always cherish these gals! On the business end, I’m thankful that everyone loves candles!!!! In addition…I have been very fortunate to collaborate with such talented influencers and bloggers and I will continue to work hard. Not only for myself but for my customers, now friends! That’s how I got to meet you!!! Thankful is an understatement!

What is the hardest thing about being a mompreneur?

Balance and Time Management! Because of that, I will soon start the process of hiring staff!!

Being an entrepreneur gives you more flexibility regarding your schedule. Mom’s like you and me, are constantly juggling a lot of things and somehow manage to get shit done. How has this been beneficial to the time you spend with your children?

It truly is a blessing because it does allow me to put my children’s needs first! I look forward to weekends for all kinds of fun stuff…and one on one Mom and Son date nights with my oldest! It’s a beautiful mess! thank goodness for COFFEE!!!!!!

Who is your biggest inspiration and why?

I give all glory to GOD. None of this would be possible without him! Then comes my mom, followed by me boys!

 

Tell a story about that one client that really moved you or inspired you?

Gosh…that is hard because so many have! Would not know where to begin! I love the bonds and relationships that I have built with my clients through the years. However…one that stands out for so many reasons, would have to be Tresa Shimonek from Vintage Farmhouse Paint And Decor. She is based out of Corsicana, TX. She has one of the biggest hearts I know and she has never been afraid to tell me the truth about things I could/should improve on and ALWAYS believed in me. I’ve driven her crazy for sure.. but if anyone is ever fortunate to cross paths with her…it will be a blessing. In 2014…I was going through a difficult time. I was new to the world of parenting a child on the spectrum…I was depressed, scared, and unsure of the future. Finances were hard, so at the time I was not able to give my son all the therapy equipment needed to do his in-home exercises. One day, I was making candles and the doorbell rang. I wasn’t expecting any packages so I wasn’t sure who it was. It was a delivery from a company that makes trampolines for kids with autism. When I saw it…I fell to my knees and sobbed. I could barely talk when I called her to thank her. That trampoline was one of the best things ever! I will NEVER forget that moment or her!

 

What is the world missing?

Kindness and Acceptance.

Let’s talk about 192 CANDLE COMPANY

What is the elevator pitch for  192 Candle Co.? 

Never had one…depends on the setting. But one thing I do is be myself. When the opportunity arises…I always tell people to never give up and stay focused! That opens the door to my story, which has inspired many and hopefully will inspire more.

What is the next project/product/idea you are working on?

Moving the business outside of my home into a commercial space for mass production.

 

What are the goals for 2021 for your business?

Commercial Space and Brick and Mortar Space.

 

What your favorite custom scent on your portfolio?

Vanilla Skye…

Not a lot of local people know your candles can be found in different boutiques and stores across the US. What are some places we can find your candles?

You can find them locally in the following places:

Painted Tree Marketplace- Booth G3

2930 Preston Road, Unit 200B

Frisco, TX 75034

Batch Bakery Frisco

5355 Dallas Parkway

Suite 610

Frisco, TX 75034

 

Batch Bakery Allen

1008 W. McDermott Drive

Suite 400

Allen, TX 75013

 

Luxe Stems

4350 Main Street

Suite 210

Frisco, TX 75033

Hyatt Regency Frisco-Dallas

2615 Preston Road

Frisco, TX 75034

 

 

Want more? Check out her website

www.192candleco.com

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