Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Kloesel.
Hi Morgan, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a college graduate with a degree (I’m not using) in Elementary Education, former merchandise coordinator, candle shop co-owner, dog mom, wife, freelance marketing guru, and blogger. I spent 23 of my last 29 years living in a teeny-tiny Tennessee town. Then about five years ago, I fell head over heels for the cutest Texas boy you’ve ever seen. A few months later and I was packing up and moving 1,500 miles to be by his side. In October 2015, I officially became an Austin resident and I can honestly say I’ve never been happier.
In June of 2016, we embarked on a new journey and found ourselves in uncharted territory; we decided to open our own business. Whiskey Boat Goods is an all-natural candle and soap company we have literally built from the ground up. Launching on 9.1.16, all we hoped was that these handmade goods would bring joy to everyone who received them. A few years later and we are in stores all over the United States and expanding more and more daily.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
We’ve been really blessed in that our journey as business owners has been pretty easy. Eddie works in management for his full-time job so he’s always been really good about guiding our business in the right direction financially as well as just knowing the ins-and-outs of running a company behind the scenes. I, personally, am more of the creative and thrive when it comes to designing our website, shooting product photos, and running our social media accounts. We’ve managed to find the perfect blend between the two of us.
As far as COVID, because hasn’t that been a challenge for all business owners (ha!), it affected us in some ways but also allowed us to grow in others. It’s been a little over a year since we did an in-person event which in the past was roughly 60% of our business. However, we saw that most of our customers transitioned into online ordering. We also managed to grow our wholesale business during the first few months of COVID and have stayed super busy fulfilling those orders in 2021.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Whiskey Boat Goods takes products you use daily and handcrafts them to unique perfection. When purchasing items like candles and soaps at local chain stores, we noticed that the quality of the goods we were purchasing simply did not line up with our expectations. Most products, we found, were well overpriced and were created with zero care. Whiskey Boat Goods takes pride in every item we make. Before selling, every product is tested and tried first hand. We’ve turned back time and reinvented some old-fashioned values and work daily to make sure the Whiskey Boat brand conveys the meaning behind the name: vision, ethics, and quality.
Our motto is “from our home to yours” and that pretty much sums everything up. We only create products we feel comfortable using ourselves. Additionally, Morgan runs all the marketing for the company as well as creating the scents for all our products which just allows us to stay 110% on brand across the board. When we formulate a new candle scent, we want it to tell a story. From the first sniff we hope our customers are transported back in time to one of their favorite memories.
Everything is custom to Whiskey Boat Goods and our goal has always been to create the absolute best product possible. We take pride in the quality of our products and do regular tests to ensure we are offering the best quality to our customers.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
To be honest, “luck” isn’t really something I believe in both good and bad. I think God has blessed us beyond measure and has given us a lot of opportunities to work and grow as individuals and business owners. I think there’s always going to be struggles along the way but they are there for a reason to guide you into something better.
Covid was obviously a struggle but seeing what we were able to create during a time in the world where a lot were struggling simply goes to show that hard work and guidance can help you achieve greater things.
Pricing:
- 9oz Candles: $22.95
- 16oz Candles: $34.95
- Wax Melts: $9.95
- Cutting Boards: Starting at $59.95
- Custom Signs: Starting at $79.95
Contact Info:
- Email: contact@whiskeyboatgoods.com
- Website: www.whiskeyboatgoods.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/whiskeyboatgoods
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/whiskeyboatgoods
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/whiskey_boat
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyU1CzTPw-I-H62DdmUxKxA
- Other: www.instagram.com/morgankloesel
Image Credits:
Khris Poage; Hannah Haston; Morgan Kloesel
