SBIF Grant Was the Shining Light Farmgirl Candle Co. Needed

Company Profile

Farmgirl Candle Co. in Monroe is a true homegrown small business. Owner Theresa Davis hand-pours each soy wax candle and packages and ships them from her family-owned hobby farm. Scents include berries, fir, toasted pumpkin, and more farm fresh inspiration.

Farmgirl Candle Co. is a woman-owned rural business, and it received a Small Business Innovation Fund (SBIF) grant, which is a growth grant for underserved Washington state manufacturing enterprises. The SBIF grant benefits BIPOC-, women-, and LGBTQIA+-owned business, as well as those businesses located in rural regions of the state. Those selected can receive up to eight hours of consulting and training — a $24,000 value.

Situation

Making candles is a creative outlet for Davis — who has another career as a lab analyst responsible for testing wastewater. “It is also no coincidence that I discovered that candle making appeals to my analytic, yet creative brain ... and my desire to make the world a little bit lighter and smell a little bit nicer,” she said on her now-improved website.

Before connecting with Impact Washington, she had spent lot of time and money perfecting her craft — making the candles. However, the business side of Farmgirl Candle Co. lacked a strategic plan. Her biggest marketing tool — her website — was poorly designed and the point-of-sale was not functional. She needed assistance with conducting her business, developing her brand, and engaging in target marketing. Because of a lack of business acumen, Farmgirl Candle Co. had not profited since its beginning three year ago. But that was all about to change.

Solution

The Farmgirl Candle Co. website got an overhaul. Now people viewing it can understand who Davis is, why her candles are special, and now the point-of-sale function is operating.

A Deep Level Brand Development was implemented, and the focus was mainly on the product and placement. There was an overview of the high-level “P’s” of Operations: Product, Physical, Process, Price, People, Placement, and Promotion.

Strategic planning was executed and included creating a mission, a vision, and zeroing in on values, all with the help of SWOT analysis. Features, advantages, benefits market differentiators, and on the financial side, accounting and taxes, also were addressed. 

Results

• Increased Sale(s): $500
• Increased Investment: $3,500 (new products/processes, plant/equipment, other areas of business)

In addition to the boost to her business, Davis says the grant provided the guidance she needed to help grow her business today and for years to come. Her confidence has grown and she’s working on improving her computer skills and website. She’s grateful and seems excited about Farmgirl Candle Co.’s future.