Meet Kathryn Zegarra | Artisan

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

Hi Kathryn, what role has risk played in your life or career?

I would classify myself as a moderate risk taker. I like the excitement of not knowing what the end result will be but also I find comfort in a safe situation. I think this balance helps with the success of my business. I am a classic over-thinker and have a knack for analyzing a situation to the extent where I actually annoy myself. Usually, at that point, I either take the plunge or accept that I won’t push forward on something.

Risk is a major factor with product development and testing. I am forever testing my products and tweaking formulas to have the best result possible. I will not launch a product until and I am 100% confident in how it will perform. I don’t want to release a new product just for the sake of having an extensive line. Being able to stand behind my products is extremely important to me.

Risk is something that I think about often. My long term goal is to own a boutique/studio and offer classes, parties, shopping and event hosting. Although I am not ready for the level of risk associated with owning a brick and mortar store, my products are currently sold in 5 local businesses. This is something that I really want to expand upon in the future. Not only do these stores sell Andover and Oak products, there are two that have their own private label signature candles created by me.

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?

Regarding my professional career, I currently work full time as a Financial Controller at a multi-million dollar paper broker. My background is in accounting and business management. I started my career in public accounting then transitioned into private accounting. I have worked in a variety of industries in the private sector, from building maintenance to satellite telecommunications and for the last 2 years, the paper industry.

Andover and Oak is my creative outlet. I need that outlet, I have always had an artistic side. In college, while studying finance, my electives were art, drawing, painting and even pottery. Yes, I took college level pottery, and it was probably my favorite class. Getting my hands dirty and creating something from nothing captured me. How I could take a lump of clay and turn it into a functional vase or tea pot was so fulfilling. Even after college when I was working in public accounting I took pottery classes at a local studio to balance my mind. I put that all on the shelf when my son was born, then, 17 months later, my daughter. It wasn’t about me anymore, I had to focus on them.

I threw myself into being a working mom. Thankfully I was able to find a position in a local business that had a global reach. I had flexibility in my schedule and was able to be there for my kids for many school events. As a hobby, I began researching handmade body products and discovered soap making. Soap making became the new obsession, again I was mesmerized by the process of making something from nothing. I continued to research for over a year and finally took the plunge. I spent the next 6 months making soap, trying to perfect my recipe and swirl technique.

It wasn’t just going to be a hobby, I wanted to start a business. With my background in accounting and business management, I was able to form my LLC, file all my paperwork and get the ball rolling. I just needed a name. It took about 3 months to finally come up with Andover and Oak. I am often asked about my business name, the secret is, I grew up on Andover Terrace and I currently live on Oak Street.

After six months in business, I started getting into candle making. Again, I went back to research mode, I spent the next six months testing different waxes, wicks containers. In 2020, I added a new product to my line, Pure Soy Candles. My business took off in the Spring/Summer of 2020 candles quickly became the heart of Andover and Oak.

I still rotate body products in for the holiday season, but for the most part my standard products are Goat Milk Soap and Soy Candles. I love to test new fragrances, I have a bit of an obsession with those as well. I work with some excellent producers of fragrance oils and when I started Andover and Oak, I made the decision to only use products that I would use myself. The fragrance oils that I use are clean burning, skin safe, and phthalates free. I have some staple scents that I keep all year round but I LOVE adding in new seasonal scents. I even have some custom blends that are exclusive to Andover and Oak, like Victorian Christmas and Candy Cane Cookies. I just finished testing 3 new fragrances for this coming holiday season. Be on the look out for Mulberry, Mistletoe and Spiced Winter Tea.

I attend 20-30 events a year. I love interacting with people and watching them smell every candle in my booth makes me smile. I always offer the question, “what kind of scents do you like?”

I get a range of answers from, “I have no idea, to, I’m looking for the scent that’s in the lobby of the Polynesian Hotel in Disney” Then I make suggestions about which scents they may like. For something fresh and clean, I direct them to Ocean Mist. For bakery scents fans, Blueberry Cobbler or Strawberry Pound Cake. I always suggest my absolute favorite scent Cashmere Cedar for something cozy. It’s great when they smell the scent that’s in their mind. They just look at me, inhale and say, Yes, that’s it.

Smell is such a personal thing, it can evoke memories, comfort and calm the mind.

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.

Ridgewood, NJ is a wonderful town, it has a small town feel with a wonderful downtown main street, Ridgewood Ave. Ridgewood is known for a wide variety of restaurants, shops and a lovely atmosphere.

There is so much to do in this area. A short drive can bring you to places like New York City, the Appalachian Mountain Trail, the Atlantic Ocean or even a mall with indoor skiing. Weekend getaways can include spending time at my favorite beach community Stone Harbor, or taking in the majestic views of the Pocono mountains. There is access to everything right here. But one of my favorite things to do is to go to our local Irish Pub, MacMurphy’s and listen to the live acoustic music of Mychal Kelly on a Sunday afternoon.

Closer to home there are many historical areas as well. Every year I participate in a craft event at The Hermitage in Ho-Ho-Kus. This estate was built before the Revolutionary War, many historical figures stayed there during their travels, like George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr. I grew up with this amazing piece of history a mile from my home.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

When asked to give a shoutout out, I can’t only give one. There is a team of support behind me. It starts with my husband. Without my husband, Andover and Oak would not exist. The amount of support he has given to me is exceptional. He never objected to my crazy plan to start a business, and is with me every step along the way. He is my partner, my best friend and the absolute love of my life.

My son and daughter also deserve a huge shoutout. Not only do they help with the production of my products, they also help with marketing, promotion and planning. I am forever sticking a sample fragrance under their noses for a true reaction, or bouncing ideas off them. I truly value their opinions.

My family is the backbone of my business, literally. They are with me for every event to help set up and break down. It is not easy carrying a tent, tables, shelves, and several boxes of candles and soap to and from the car at each event. They make it look easy. I often hear from other vendors about how amazed they are that my teenagers help, willingly.

Website: www.andoverandoak.com

Instagram: @andoverandoak

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kathryn-zegarra-05401a7b

Twitter: @andoverandoak

Facebook: @andoverandoak

Other: Tiktok @andoverandoak

Image Credits
Photo credit ASH V PHOTOGRAPHY – Ashley Verhasse