I NEVER SET OUT TO BECOME A FEMALE ENTREPENEUR. It just sort of happened; the circumstances around me created a perfect storm and that’s when the East Van Alchemy Co. was born…
I love writing. I used to work in the film industry, making my way through the various departments, trying to find my niche. After working film for close to a decade, I comfortably settled into a position as a Jr. Story Editor for several seasons on television series based out of LA and produced here in Vancouver. I enjoyed my work—until I didn’t. Working in film as a professional eventually turned my life passion into, well, a job. A stressful job that often added up to eighty hours a week or more depending if I was on set or working in the production office. I often thought of starting my own production company, but I never did. I technically was a contract for hire and have been self-employed for most of my working careers (I’ve worn many hats in my lifetime) so while the entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t completely foreign to me, being at the top of my own company certainly was. Creating EVA Co.was daunting at first; it still is some days, but I’ve settled comfortably into the role of being at the helm of my own ship. While at times it feels like I’m swimming upstream, it’s extremely rewarding, as much as it is challenging, and I wouldn’t change anything from the path I’m currently on.
EAST VAN ALCHEMY Co. is a candle company. My candle company, which essentially came into being out of a desire for a creative outlet. That simple. In March of 2020, I was in my ninth year of practice as a Registered Massage Therapist and was content in my work. My practice was thriving, and I was extremely grateful to be successfully working in Vancouver—over-saturated at times with the sheer volume of therapists making a living here. While I contemplated opening my own clinic, I came to the conclusion that I didn’t want to work every day or be overwhelmed with responsibility, even though I knew I could do it. Yes. The irony of that sentence now, is not lost on me.
And then everything stopped. Abruptly.
Covid19 had infiltrated Canada quickly, with cases being diagnosed in British Columbia, as we all well remember. It felt like overnight I was out of business. Completely. And how I was going to go back to work was a complete impossibility for an undetermined amount of time.
So. I was home, alone with myself and my thoughts. Oh, and a little dog, Lola, that I had adopted the previous December. Sitting around, bonding with my furry Christmas present, Miss Lola and I plotted to take over the world together. While it was a scary time financially, I will never regret the months that I had bonding with this wire-haired westie x or the time that I had to sit in my gamut of feelings, painfully at times, truly discovering who I was at the core.
I returned to my creative basics: pencil and ink drawings eventually teaching myself how to use watercolours. Inspired by accounts on YouTube and Instagram, I started creating mandalas using a compass. Did I want to start selling my art? Sort of but I didn’t want to only sell my artwork. What else could I produce? I decided to take a stab at making candles. Nightly tubs by candlelight, lighting candles in memoriam, candles while meditating, candles on the deck, candles all over my living room— have long been staples in my life. Am surprised it took me as long as it did to start making them on my own. I researched everything and anything to do with working with wax and fragrance. Science! All the candles I made in my first year of learning how to pour a proper candle, I gave away. To anyone who wanted one and even to people who didn’t. Everyone really liked them and wanted more so I started producing candles on a consistent basis. At that point, I knew that whatever I decided to produce creatively, candles or artwork, that I was going to start a company. A year and a half of hammering out ideas, drawings of potential products and taking from the inspiration of studying alchemy and hermeticism, the outline of my first product line came almost too easily. I knew it was right, it felt genuine to my interests, spirituality and while I had long returned to work as an RMT, I could still work on my candles on the side.
If I could share any piece of advice from my journey so far as woman in business it would be don’t wait like I did, for everything to be aligned, before taking the leap. The lockdown from Covid may prove to be a once in a lifetime opportunity; had I not had the downtime, I doubt highly I would have followed my creative passion to turn my focus to starting my own company. That said, the time will never be right. You have to take the initiative and make it right. There will always be errands to run, children to tend to, not enough capital, being exhausted after the end of the workday—just insert your reason here. There’s something different though, when you’re dead-dog tired from life and the energy you exert goes back into you. Your idea. Your passion. Your business. It’s different than working just as hard for someone else. You ARE the boss. Sometimes you need to tap out and take a break. Sometimes I have to work all night to fill a last-minute order. It’s a fine line. My company is still small enough that I can get away with stepping back at times where I need to recharge. The beauty of it is that I am in control and can make those decisions as they come.
Most importantly, surround yourself with like-minded individuals. I had tremendous support from a small collective of close friends, my testers who gave me honest feedback. A stellar bookkeeper and accountant. The group of women at the EVEN have proven to be invaluable. Networking is not usually something I would say I enjoy, but you won’t find a better group of female entrepreneurs who willingly share their knowledge and go out of their way to prop you up. I always walk away from our meetings recharged and inspired. Even though you are essentially an island, don’t act like one. This article mostly focused on the highlights but there’s going to be plenty of down days. Don’t let them de-rail your ambitions.
And yes, I do work mostly every day. And probably will for some time to come. It’s so worth it. The wave of satisfaction that you feel when someone asks you about your company or loves what you produce is comparable to nothing I’ve done in the past. I had several opportunities or ideas to start my own company as I mentioned earlier. It just never felt right. Don’t ignore the voice that tells you when it is. Your intuition will guide you. Let it.
Jennifer Halisky is the owner & founder of East Van Alchemy Co. Drop her a line: jenny@eastvanalchemy.com
Follow us on instagram: @eastvan_alchemy_co