Who Am I?

I am a daughter, a sister, a pet owner, a veteran, a neighbor, a friend, and an accounting student. I enjoy many things in life. I love traveling and seeing new places. I like experiencing new foods and different cultures. I enjoy boating, scuba diving, swimming, and horseback riding. I also enjoy reading a good book while lounging on a hammock, soaking up the warm sun on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

I have accomplished a lot in my life. I have been scuba diving in Grand Cayman and in Cozumel. I served 11 years in the Army as a mechanic. I have packed my share of bearing, changed glow plugs, replaced fly-wheels, fuel tanks, and injector pumps. I have done my fair share of brake jobs both disk and drum, hydraulic and air. Oh, did I mention I am a woman? Anyway, in 1997 I deployed as a mechanic for the Bosnia mission. We supported the Marines, the Navy, the military postal service, and we had 68 of our own vehicles that we never fell below 97% mission capable. Another words, I am a go-getter.

I have always loved scented candles. During my deployment, I received a care package, which contained a couple of votive scented candles. I was so excited. We could not burn them but it was like having a little bit of home with me so far away. At the end of a long and trying day, I would get one of my scented candles out and would let the scent carry and my imagination carry me away like I use to when I was a child. You see, as a child I would always have to go to the candle section and smell every candle they had. I really like the ocean breeze ones. I would imagine diving into the ocean, feeling light and free. During troubled times during the deployment these memories and the scents of a candles were comforting.

Hi. My name is Sarah Marks. I decided to combine my ambition and my love for scented candles and start my own business. This was one of the best choices I ever made! By having my own business I have felt more freedom than I have in a long time, and have met wonderful and interesting people.

http://www.candlesandsome.webs.com/

Thought About Starting A Home Based Candle Business?

I have talked to a lot of people who have always wanted their own business. They have dreams of being their own boss, setting their own hours, and running things how they see fit. I discovered that a lot of these people felt that owning their own business was out of reach or exclusively for others but not them. They went on saying that it was meant for the already privileged and not for the everyday person.

I listened to what they had to say. After a while I broke in and asked “How come everyday people can’t start their own home business? What is holding them back?” I began describing myself as a student, an Army veteran, and had worked as a security officer. I described myself as the everyday person doing normal, everyday that most middle class people do. Then, I added that I have my own business.

I began explaining why I joined the home based candle business. Ever since I was a child I always loved the way candles smelled. Whenever I went to the store I had to smell every candle they had. I was always amazed at how the same looking candle could have such a variety of scents. I simply loved the smells.

After a few minutes I had their interest. I explained that I had done some research and found a few interesting facts about scented candles that I wanted to share.

Did you know that:

• 80% of homes burn candles?
• the candle business is a $3 billion a year industry?
• scented candles rank in the top 5 gift choices?
• men burn scented candles just as much as women?

Then I asked these same people what this information meant to them.

This means that:

• there is a large number of people buying candles.
• the candles is a stable and growing industry.
• candles are often thought of in gift giving.
• prospects are not limited to a single group of people.

I explained that home based candle business is a growing industry done by everyday people. With the increase costs of gas, the stress of fighting traffic to and from work, and the increased demands of workers it is no wonder more and more people are seeking home based candle businesses.

www.candlesandsome.webs.com

Scented Candles and Wonderful Memories

Hi, I'm Sarah, owner of Candles And Some. No, this is not one of those "how much I make stories" stories. This is more of wonderful childhood memories. Anyway, every time I go to the store I head straight for the candle section. I always did this, especially as a child. It took my parents some doings for them to pry me away from the rain and ocean scents. I always liked finding my favorite scents, closing my eyes, and letting the wonderful scent fill my senses.

I use to watch nature shows like Mutual of Omaha. Ever since I first saw an underwater show I wanted to scuba dive. My parents and grandparents told me I was too young, maybe when I get older. Every time I found a candle that smelled like the ocean air I would close my eyes and just imagine swimming deeper and deeper, satisfying my curiosity; letting the water surround me, feeling free and light. I would imagine the beauty of the different fish and how they gracefully flowed through the water.

Scents can also flood your senses with long lost memories. Just a couple a weeks ago I walked into a leather shop. The smell of the leather brought back a flood of wonderful memories. As a child growing up my father had his own veterinarian business. He had a spare room which he rented to a saddle maker. I use to love going in the back and watch him hand make saddles. I enjoyed watching how he pains taking formed, shaped, and tooled the leather. I enjoyed watching something that laid out in pieces slowly and surely form into something recognizable.

The scents of orange remind me of when my mother and I would sit on the porch and enjoy an orange Popsicle. I remember how cool it felt and how wonderful it tasted on a hot summer day. I also remember when we would lay on our backs watching the clouds form. I could remember how big and tall the clouds were and the different and sometimes funny shapes they took. I could feel the coolness of the grass on my back with the warm sun on my face and smelling the fresh cut grass and flowers.

I still enjoy doing this today. There is something about how pleasing and wonder full feeling the right scent can make you feel. The wonderful scent can make you feel happy and joyful to sensual and romantic. It can take you take you from a freshly cleaned home to a tropical paradise. For me it took me to the depths of the ocean and sometimes high into the clouds; places that I would not reach. Sometimes scents makes me feel like a kid again.

www.candlesandsome.webs.com

In December of 2009 I graduate from Virginia College Online with my associates degree in accounting. The following semester I enrolled in their Private Sector Accounting program. I expect the be graduating in about a year. Afterwords, I am considering transferring the A&M at Texarkana for graduate school.

www.candlesandsome.webs.com