Quinn Hamilton

What is Firebrand Candle Company?

Firebrand Candle Company is a home scent company I started in response to people wanting more of the craft project soy candles I made and gave away during the holiday season of 2012. The whole purpose is to bring a different look to the soy candle market and also to bring positive light to the city of Detroit. Each soy candle is named after a Detroit street and the scent is inspired by the history and culture of that street.

What was your experience in the Build class?

Build was awesome. I was a part of one of the very first classes, Build 10. There were a lot of things that I learned that I didn’t have access to previously. The people close to me are not small business owners and the whole process of getting started was very new to me. Build was most helpful in getting the ideas that were swirling around in my head onto paper and into a plan. Without Build I would not have been able to do that.

“Build was most helpful in getting the ideas that were swirling around in my head onto paper and into a plan. Without Build I would not have been able to do that.”

How has your relationship grown with Build?

I’ve taken a few Build Next workshops and I’m also a very active reader of the newsletter, which has a ton of other opportunities that are outside of Build like applying to be a vendor for certain events and other resources. I also love Open City so, so much. It’s great to hear from established business owners. I now spend a lot of time with people just getting started and Open City is an awesome chance to hear from people who have had many more years of insight into the world of entrepreneurship and can give really awesome advice based on that. I find it highly valuable.

What are your recent developments?

I’m doing similar things as last year but now on a grander scale. I have a lot more products to offer people. I started out with just candles and now I have essential oil linen mists and scent sachets. I did a lot of research into aromatherapy for those. I also have shea butter soaps and more new products to come!

What is your long-term vision?

I’d love to have my products in more boutique stores in and around the Southeastern Michigan area. I’d also like to have a brick and mortar store of my own, but not your typical brick and mortar – more of a workshop/retail space with an intimate lounge area, accessible workspace, and an area with my products for sale. Ideally I’d like to have this by the holiday season this year.