We had the good fortune of connecting with Tricia Schepp and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tricia, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
Time-blocking has kept me on task – for instance, blocking two hours of time for one focus area and nothing else. Closing email and silencing my phone to eliminate distractions. Also, calendar planning ahead of time so I can be sure to send emails and post stories relevant to upcoming events!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Lumen, like many small businesses, started as a hobby! I had no intention of building a brand. It grew steadily by word of mouth and by attending many pop-up events and networking. The best compliments I receive are from previous customers who find me later at a pop-up and tell me they love how lumen candles burn and how long they last.

The most challenging part for me was the business- and tax-side of things. Connect with a trusted tax professional to get your business set up the correct way.

Lumen continues to flourish in the online space – with seasonal scents in beautiful vessels. Most importantly, all ingredients used in lumen candles are phthalate-free, paraben-free and non-toxic. I only use 100% soy wax. I don’t have a curated perfectly-perfect social media. I showcase my works in progress and many times you will see “the lumen pups”, my two rescue dogs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Charlotte is big on breweries and small business love. I would take them to Rosie’s Wine Garden to enjoy a glass of wine in the rose garden surrounded by garden lights and greenery. We may head to the Whitewater Center to walk the dogs or zipline, or whitewater raft. You can’t skip a trip to The Thirsty Beaver in Plaza Midwood, a dive bar that was recently visited by Mick Jagger. For a casual, incredibly friendly hangout, visit Birdsong Brewing where you will drink some of the best beer in town, sit in the sun, eat from a visiting food truck, or sit by a firepit with the kids or dogs.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shelly Walsh of Good Karma Alpaca Ranch in Iron Station, NC was really supportive of my business when I started making wholesale candles for businesses. She carries lumen in her farm store with custom co-branded labels that are alpaca inspired. She has also introduced me to other businesses to help grow my reach.

Website: https://www.lumenclt.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lumenclt/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lumenCLT/

Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lumenclt

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