Sunday, July 19, 2015

Q & A: Jen Ouellette from Jaimie Lauren Cupcakery & Confections in Wax



Jaimie Lauren Cupcakery & Confections in Wax, JLCCW, was a much loved and creative wax company a couple years ago. Unfortunately the doors to JLCCW closed on the heels of a massively successful sale to raise money for Autism. Jen announced reopening in the fall of last year but the timing was not right. In late spring/early summer she re-announced her reopening and it is slated for fall of 2015. She has been posting great photos of her workshop's progress and tidbits of information about new molds and product on her social media outlets. It has built excitement and anticipation! Jen agreed to do this interview which divulges a little of what we can expect when she reopens this fall. 


1. Jaimie Lauren Cupcakery & Confections in Wax (JLCCW) began years ago then closed to focus on family. Can you tell me a little about what inspired you to create wax tarts?

As a child, I always loved playing with different mediums of art. Typically painting, drawing, coloring, playing with clay and play-doh. I always loved being creative. After I had married and had children, I was looking for a creative outlet. My first thought was candles and I began the candle making process with experimenting but soon discovered a love for making wax tarts instead and found that I could make all kinds of shapes, colors and scents which is fun and intriguing to me.  And once I caught that "bug" I never looked back and thought to turn the hobby into a business.


2. It has been exciting to watch you prepare for a reopening on Facebook and your blog! Do you have an estimate of when your website and products will launch?

At this time, there is no specific date.  As Fall approaches, I will have a much better idea when we will open our doors.  We just finished what I like to call "my studio" for all of our wax creations and now we are onto gathering supplies so it's a process, taking one step at a time but we are getting there.


3. What kind of business model will your business be operating under? Ready To Ship, customs, open/close?

We will be a custom only operation but we may open it up to ready to ship at a later date.


4. Are there any new products, scents, or creations you are most looking forward to making a reality?

This is the fun part. I have many things spinning in my mind right now and enjoy the process of creating from start to finish. What I can tell you is, we have decided to offer samplers and this is something new compared to the last time we were open.  I am excited about the possibilities of this as it's fun to come up with themes and thinking of new blends to offer in the sampler.


5. What composition will your wax be?

Our wax is a para soy blend.


6. What is your least favorite part of your job? What is the most pleasurable?

Probably the end of the day clean up. You spend all day creating and then it's time to clean up. No fun.  The most pleasurable thing is a combo of actually creating the wax tarts from start to finish. I get a lot of satisfaction with the end result. It makes me proud. I also enjoy communicating with my customers.


7. What would you say were JLCCW's most popular scents in the past? Will any of them be making a come back?

The number one scent of all time is Cheer Bear Dough. It's a combination of Strawberry Crunch and Sugar Cookie Dough and is one of my favorites as well.  Cheer Bear Dough actually opened up the door to explore and implement the sampler idea. We will have a Care Bear theme sampler.  Of course, Yellow Brick Road which is Lemon Ice Box Cupcakes and Sugar Cookie Dough and Avalon (named after my oldest daughter) and is Tahitian Waterfall and Vanilla Bean Noel will also be making a come back. We have a top 12 Jaimie's Originals sampler planned so people can try out what was popular in the past and what we will continue to offer because of it's popularity.


8. Have there been any obstacles to rebooting JLCCW?

No obstacles.  Just a realization that it takes time and money but we are getting it done. 


9. What are some of your favorite vendors and scents to use in your own home?

I was and still am a Distributor for Mia Bella Candles.  So they are my candle of choice that I use in my home.  I also enjoy Scentsy bars and adore my friend Carol and her creations over at Candles From The Keeping Room.


10. How do you splurge on yourself?

A splurge for me happens every 6 or 7 weeks when I get the works done with my hair and eye brows. I really enjoy the whole pampering experience with my stylist.


11. Please tell us your top 3 favorite books, movies and/or TV shows.

Currently reading, Quiet - The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking by Susan Cain. I can identify greatly with this book as I myself am an introvert.  I also enjoy reading books on Autism due to the fact my youngest daughter, Jaimie whom the business is named after is on the Autism Spectrum.  And I have also read books like, Excuse me, your life is waiting by Lynn Grabhorn which talks about the power of feelings.  


12. What is something you look forward to everyday?

I look forward to my cup of coffee in the early mornings, answering my emails, communicating with others, welcoming my family to a brand new day.  I have a very positive outlook on life. Life is too short to be any other way.  I look forward to a new day of ideas, creating, making things happen in my life.
Thank you for the opportunity to do this interview.  Just a note, I can be found on Facebook at:  www.facebook.com/jaimielauren   and I also have a youtube channel I am using to also communicate with those interested in my business under Jen Ouellette and it can also be found on my fan page on Facebook as well.  Anyone can email me too at burningbelief@aol.com
  - Jen



I am looking forward to JLCCW opening and wish her all the best. My friends Lauren and Liz have shared a couple of JLCCW tarts with me in the past and I really loved her serendipity blends, Avalon and lemons. Will you be ordering when she opens?

***JLCCW will be opening on January 28th, at her eBay store.***

13 comments:

  1. Fun interview, Julie! Jaimie is brave to approach opening a business a second time, I look forward to your impressions of her new wax. :) Have a great day!

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    1. Thank you Gil! I agree. Reopening a business takes courage but her wax was so well loved and the wax community so huge now that I bet she will take right off again. I look forward to trying her myself :-)

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  2. what a great interview!! I'm following her on Facebook & can't wait to see what her wax looks like! :)

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    1. Thanks! Me too!!! Her Care Bear sampler sounds fun! Makes me nostalgic.

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  3. Great interview! Where can the FB fan and business page be found (the provided link doesn't seem to take me there?) ? My own child, now 14, has severe autism- he's totally non-verbal....it's a constant challenge, but we are blessed also.

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    1. Thank you for letting me know Jennifer! I fixed the links to her FB group page and her email address, <3

      I appreciate when vendors donate to charities. Children are indeed a blessing! I pray the challenges never out weigh the beautiful days. <3

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  4. Excellent interview! I cannot wait until she reopens! GRANDMA'S KITCHEN!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Lauren! Grandma's Kitchen is good? I hope she brings it back. I need to try it!!

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  5. Why does it say, "***UPDATE*** JLCCW will NOT be opening as planned" ?

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    1. Hi Kristi! Because at the time of this publishing she had planned on opening this fall, then changed her mind. She just recently decided to open again (this is the third time announcing an opening). I have not updated it because I am not 100% sure if she is opening and when. When an opening date is posted I will change the post. :-) I hope you have a great day and thank you for stopping by!

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    2. Phew! You had me worried! I'm looking forward to trying her wax that o have heard so much about! Thank you!

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    3. I have been looking forward to it too as I have never ordered from her. She closed after her huge sale just as I got into vendor wax.

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