What inspired you to start your business?

“I believe that every individual deserves a safe space and an opportunity to express their creative side. Cabernet Candles was born from a desire to provide such a unique environment for those whose creativity and need for human interaction were overshadowed and stifled by quarantine lockdowns.

Cabernet Candles is Delaware's first candle and craft café, offering craft-centered experiences such as candle making and perfume curation. We host a variety of private and corporate events, as well as open reservations for the public from Thursday to Sunday at our historic New Castle location. As a creativity-focused business, we collaborate with local artisans to develop hands-on workshops, curate art events with local organizations to highlight artists from Delaware and beyond, and host free children's events to aid in the creative development of our youth.

As a Black business owner, there is often a stigma surrounding the types of clientele you are perceived to serve, whether it be luxury or what some may consider "urban," based on your experience or background.

“By offering a simple yet sophisticated experience rooted in great customer service and creative freedom, we have successfully served guests from diverse backgrounds across different sectors.”

One of the most memorable moments was the grand opening of our brick-and-mortar location in 2022. Just before the event, I was contacted by a young woman looking to host a birthday celebration. I explained that the day she requested would coincide with our grand opening and that I wasn’t yet prepared to host a private event, as I didn’t have pricing available either. Despite this, she was determined to celebrate her birthday with us. On the day of our grand opening, the event went wonderfully; we fully booked three sessions afterward. To have complete strangers place their faith in both me and my business showed me that what seems unforeseen does not equate to impossible.”

What advice do you have for aspiring Black entrepreneurs?

Don’t let the fear of the unknown deter your faith and ability to reach the finish line. Move forward, even if it’s while feeling scared, unsure, or imperfect; run at your own pace. Building a business is a learning experience that takes time and, most importantly, resources. Cultivate those resources, learn from your community, and never stop listening to your audience.

“Our backgrounds are the building blocks of what makes us unique. So what if you’re labeled as "urban"? Our culture, the Black culture, is one of the most sought-after brand stories. Urban IS luxury.”

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?

Cabernet Candles is continuously expanding and actively seeking artists to collaborate with. The art community is ever-growing, and we are committed to doing our part in providing a resourceful platform for creativity to thrive.

www.cabernetcandles.com