Meet Toni Porter | Candle Maker & Home Fragrance Specialist

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

Hi Toni, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My name is Toni Porter, I’m a mom, serial entrepreneur & DJ. I became an official business owner after being laid off from my job. I was also in college at the same time, in need of extra money. The economy wasn’t the greatest and lots of layoffs were occurring across MI. I’ve always burned candles to relax but was having difficulty finding a good brand that actually smelled good. My god mom started making them as a hobby and I loved them. So, I started selling them at the local hospital that I worked for. When I got laid off, I asked my godmother if she wanted to go into business together. I was pursuing a business management degree from Wayne State University, at that time. However, she was also already an entrepreneur and wasn’t ready to start another business on a full-time basis. So I asked her if she would teach me, and the rest has been history ever since. Toni’s Collection started in 2012, but I officially had to take the leap of faith on my own in 2013 after being laid off.

What should our readers know about your business?
My biggest win, was the purchase of my commercial building. The factors that contributed were my customers, continuously buying my products. I also kept saving & reinvesting my money into my business to make it grow.What sets me apart from others is my drive and perseverance. I spend hours upon hours researching my industry, searching for better products and solutions to make my business and myself better.

For Toni’s Collection, the most important characteristic is always providing a great product & superior customer service. I want my customers to feel the love that is put in each product. I spend a lot of time researching my industry to ensure I am providing a great product as well, as maintaining the industry standards.

I wish there was a such thing as an easy path or smooth road on this entrepreneurship journey, but it’s not. One of the biggest challenges I faced, has just been having working capital or finding lenders. As an entrepreneur, funding is limited to small business. You have to seek nontraditional options or exhaust investing your own funds.

As a smaller business, the price breaks aren’t available unless you are buying in larger quantities wholesale, which is intimidating when you are first starting out if funding is limited. A huge challenge has also been marketing/advertising. You either need to have a nice budget, or learn how to do it on your own. I always say that you can have a great product, but if no one knows about it, it won’t sell.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came in town we would go to Andiamos of the river to eat and have drinks. Then we would take a helicopter tour around the city and when we land we would end the night with a boat tour, to go sightseeing on the Detroit river.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate a shoutout to Shalandria McGlown-Allen because she is my good friend that I met in college and she referred me for this opportunity. We started our businesses unknowingly around the same time, and we have just developed a great bond over these past 11 years. We have continuously been the support system for each other and inspiring each other.

Website: www.TonisCollection.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-porter-a3695b56/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TonisCollection

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