Meet Brittney Hippensteel | Owner & Creative Director

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

Hi Brittney, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I wanted to start my own business for a few different reasons, but the main catalyst was an unfulfilling job at the time. I’ve always been a creative person. I’m was and still am a full time graphic designer and was working a job in a dark office that was paying the bills but wasn’t giving me the creative outlet I needed. I wanted my business to be a craft that I could create with my hands since I was feeling burning out staring at a screen all day. I knew I wanted to be able to explore my love of photography by styling and photographing my products. I was excited to design my own packaging and dive deeper into the world of social media marketing. I’ve always been a lover of beautiful home goods, so I knew candles were the perfect fit for my creative small business venture!

What should our readers know about your business?
Hamilton Wax Co. started as a hand poured soy wax candle business which now includes other home fragrance goods such as reed diffusers. We started with 5 fragrances and now have 16 including seasonal fall + holiday scents. It wasn’t an easy journey. As most small business owners know, it’s not always glamorous or fun work. There was a lot to learn about taxes, packing and shipping, permits, insurance, licenses, etc. The pouring the candles, designing labels, and running a social media account is the fun part for me but it’s the packing, shipping, customer service, carrying the 50lb boxes of wax that takes a large amount of the time.

Hamilton Wax Co. is still my part-time business. I have a full time creative career working 40+ hours a week, but at the end of the day, it’s still a passion that’s going strong and and I’m very proud of myself for being able to grow a successful business with the support of my wonderful customers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh I love this question! Food and drink is my other passion.

I’d start our morning with coffee at either Prince Street Cafe or Cafe One Eight.
From there we’d head to Central Market, which is the oldest, continuously running public farmers’ market in the US. You can pick up the freshest local produce from local farmers, the best Amish baked goods, fresh flowers, ethically raised meats, and other snacks and meals from all ethnicities. Right across Market Alley are my friends at Fox Duck where you could grab a t-shirt, hat, hoodie, etc printed with super cool central PA themed designs.

For lunch I’d head to The Fridge with over 400 craft beer options. We’d sit by the wood burning fireplace with a flatbread pizza and chat with one of the wonderful owners.

To kick off the evening I’d start at Proof for a cocktail, oysters, and a charcuterie board (I literally dream about this weekly) and after that go to Horse Inn for horse fries, I’d recommend the burger even though I don’t personally eat beef, and a James Beard nominated cocktail. OR Luca for some of the best Neapolitan inspired food and drink. (You can also find my candles burning in the restrooms!)

After a night full of great food we could head to Tellus for 3 floors of live music and a rooftop bar for a nightcap, or stop at Lancaster Cupcake for a sweet treat.

For some non-food related exploring (is that even a thing!?) the 300 Block of Queen Street has some great small businesses for shopping.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d have to say the community of Lancaster, PA as a whole. Downtown Lancaster is a small community where everyone knows everyone and everyone supports everyone – especially the small business owners. Before I even thought I was ready to step into the wholesale world a local business owner, Kristin of Sophie Stargazer, reached out to me to carry my candles in her store. It was the push I needed to get my candles into store fronts. I made alllll the mistakes, but she graciously helped me through everything that needed to be done to successfully sell to wholesale accounts. From there I was able to “fake it until I made it” with slightly less embarrassment and speedbumps along the way. 🙂

I’d also like to shout out Christopher of The Nice Slice PA for nominating me and for always being my biggest cheerleader and hype man.

Website: hamiltonwaxco.com

Instagram: @hamiltonwaxco

Facebook: @hamiltonwaxco

Image Credits
@brackbillcreative @jeffandliz.co