Conversations with Brad Richardson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brad Richardson.  

Hi Brad, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ambush Candle Company started in 2018 after a spontaneous Grand Canyon Road trip. My wife Catherine and I were going through a spell of creative uncertainty. Road-tripping was a great way to clear our heads. We soon put our backgrounds in design and home fragrance together to create the foundation of our company. We’ve since evolved and narrowed down to create our own style. 

As of recently, all of our supplies and materials are made in the USA. We use all-natural essential oil-based fragrances and 100% soy wax that derives from midwestern soybean fields. Our labels are designed in-house, and all of our products are made in small batches. This led us to coin the phrase “Small batch at its best.” 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
We started our company in Chicago, Illinois, but soon after moved our operation to Traverse City, MI. Our goal was to connect with our new community and find stores that might be interested in carrying our products. We spent months going door to door and sending personalized letters to shops and boutiques with very little success. This led to us opening our own boutique in downtown Traverse City that is still here today! If you visit 326 E. Front St., you’ll find our store Compass Rose Outpost. This gave us a place to sell our products and has been a great way to experiment with new ideas, fragrances, and sales strategies. We initially used the store’s backroom, along with the basement as a studio for Ambush Candle Co. but have since moved into our own private shop space down the street. 

Opening a store right before the pandemic shutdowns was very rough on us. We’ve come to understand that running a small business or 2 is like sprinting through an obstacle course. We’ve adjusted to a fast-paced lifestyle and learned to keep our heads above water when things get rough. Our products can now be found in stores across 30+ states and several shops in the UK and Canada. It’s been amazing to track our progress, and we’re grateful for every opportunity that’s found us along the way! 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have a complex background, mostly because I’m always finding interests and trying new things. My best contribution to Ambush Candle Co is as a graphic designer. I have a passion for branding and product design. I spent about 8 years as a bladesmith, specializing in custom cutlery and forged tools. This lead me to work with the History Channel on 3 occasions and also publish my first book. My wife, Cat, has an extensive background in luxury retail. She’s worked for some iconic brands in San Fransisco and was the driving force behind the success we’ve found running our own store. She learned candle making from her mom many years ago, and that is a skill that she ended up transferring into our own business; we both enjoy art, travel, music, and hiking around beautiful the Traverse City area. 

Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking is inevitable for those planning to find success in being self-employed. Learning to conquer anxiety and becoming a critical thinker have been the greatest skills I’ve learned along the way. Signing the lease for our first store was a huge risk. 6 months later, we outgrew the space and found a larger place that was MUCH more expensive. That was an even bigger risk. But once you’re in deep, you’ll understand that not taking risks is sometimes the real risk. Making calculated decisions and thinking things through has helped us win. Learning from mistakes has been even more helpful. I’m no longer afraid to fail because I want to fail. It’s the easiest way for me to learn and become a better risk-taker. 

Pricing:

• $25 – 8oz Candles
• $26 – Incense Cones

Contact Info:

• Website: ambushcandleco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambushcandleco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmbushApothecary