CASE STUDY
A CRM for Creatives/Manufacturers
Nicole Winters Turned Her Passion for Candles into a Successful Business
Nicole Winters, a Sydney-based entrepreneur and candle maker, is the founder of Winter & Co. Over the past three years, she has transformed her passion for candles into a thriving business that keeps her busy nearly every day of the week.
Launching her business in her forties, Nicole understands that finding one’s passion can take time, but when discovered, it can be life-changing. Her journey as an entrepreneur and candle maker highlights the challenges and rewards of building a business from the ground up.
A Late Start to a Dream Career
Nicole did not find her true calling until her forties. Throughout her life, she never felt drawn to a specific career and worked primarily to earn an income. After spending many years in the workforce, she transitioned to working from home to assist her husband with his business, allowing her to balance work and family life. Now, as a mother of four, she manages two businesses while also assisting her husband with his ventures, making for an incredibly busy household.
Her entrepreneurial journey began with martial arts in her mid-thirties, when she trained alongside her sons. After achieving a black belt, she became an instructor and eventually opened her own training center six years ago. Shortly after, she began experimenting with candle making, which quickly evolved into her second full-time business. Founding Winter & Co. marked the first time she was entirely responsible for a business, from successes to challenges—and she embraced every moment.
The Birth of Winter & Co.
Nicole has always been passionate about candles—their aesthetics, soothing scents, and calming presence. She finds lighting a candle at the end of the day incredibly relaxing. The inspiration to start making her own candles struck when her husband was away on a golf trip, and she realized she had no candles left at home. She immediately drove to a florist to purchase her favorite brand, spending a significant sum on three candles. Upon returning home, she had an epiphany and ordered her first candle-making starter kit.
After months of trial and error, she began seeing success. Friends started requesting candles, which soon led to orders for gifts, and eventually, Winter & Co. was born. Since then, she has never looked back. What started with candles expanded to include diffusers due to high demand. Today, Winter & Co. offers six different product ranges, including hand and body wash, room and linen sprays, and bath salts. The company recently introduced a men’s range, which has been a significant success.
Overcoming Business Challenges
Funding was one of Nicole’s initial concerns when launching Winter & Co. She was hesitant to dip into the family budget but ultimately had to do so. Fortunately, candle supplies are relatively affordable, and she was able to start small, minimizing financial risk. Many of the tools needed for candle making were sourced from her kitchen. As the business expanded, she invested in equipment that allowed her to produce candles more efficiently.
Managing multiple businesses and family life simultaneously presented another challenge. Running Winter & Co. while operating her training center and fulfilling her roles as a mother and wife required careful planning. Time management was often a struggle, but she learned to delegate, trust others, and accept that perfection in all aspects of life was not always possible. Her family’s unwavering support has been instrumental in her journey.
Standing Out in a Competitive Market
Nicole believes Winter & Co.’s branding sets it apart in a saturated market. With candles available everywhere, quality varies widely. She has encountered candles that turned walls black, exploded, emitted unpleasant odors, or lacked fragrance altogether.
Candles serve as decorative items, and their visual appeal is just as important as their scent. She was determined to create products that not only smelled amazing but also looked beautiful in any home. This attention to design and quality has helped Winter & Co. carve out a niche in the market.
Managing Business Finances with QuickBooks
Accounting and bookkeeping were not Nicole’s strong suits, so she relied on a bookkeeper for guidance. From the beginning, QuickBooks was the preferred choice for managing Winter & Co.’s finances. She found it to be superior to other bookkeeping software, particularly in supporting small businesses.
Understanding the financial health of her business is a priority, and QuickBooks simplifies the process. It allows her to monitor growth and make informed decisions about the future of Winter & Co.
Favorite Features of QuickBooks
Nicole appreciates the convenience QuickBooks offers, particularly the ability to photograph receipts and input financial data through an app. She primarily works from an iPad rather than a desktop, making mobile bookkeeping essential. Having all financial information in one place saves time and improves efficiency.
Future Plans for Winter & Co.
Exciting developments are on the horizon for Winter & Co., including the launch of an online store. Nicole also aims to expand the custom side of her business and enter the wedding and event industry, providing unique favors and gifts. With her product range continually evolving, she is eager to see what the future holds.
Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Nicole encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams with patience and persistence. She believes that mistakes and criticism should not be seen as failures but as valuable tools for growth and improvement. Allowing a business to develop organically and learning from experiences are essential to long-term success.