We recently had the chance to connect with Kayla Valencia and have shared our conversation below.
Kayla, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about your customers?
I think the most surprising thing I’ve learned about my customers in regard to wax melts are their preferences! I always thought I had a pretty good idea of which wax melt scents would be popular based on trends or customer feedback, but what customers actually want to purchase can sometimes be completely different than that. It’s refreshing to see all the unique scent ideas they come up with.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kayla Valencia and I own Midding Studios here in Austin, TX. I’ve been in business since September 2021 and have grown so much since then! We create hand poured, themed wax melts and are always changing up seasonal collections while holding onto the core scents that we started with.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
My parents have taught me the most about work. They’ve both been extremely hardworking my entire life and they’ve definitely instilled those traits in me!
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Being a small business that started soon after the start of the pandemic, there were a lot of times I almost gave up on it. Seeing how slow business can be at times or when you launch a product or collection that doesn’t do as well as you thought can be really discouraging. But I truly enjoy what I am doing, and it brings me so much joy interacting with customers and that keeps me going.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I think they’d say I deeply care about creating comfort and connection for myself and for others. Whether it’s through the little rituals of everyday life, the way I show up for people, or even the scents I choose for my business, I always try to create moments that feel warm, intentional, and safe. They’d probably also mention how much I value creativity and staying true to myself. I love turning ideas into something tangible that others can enjoy.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I made things feel a little more comforting, whether it was through my work, how I showed up in relationships, or the small details I poured love into. I hope they say I was someone who followed her creative spark, stayed true to what mattered, and built something meaningful not just for herself but for others, too.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://buymiddingstudios.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/middingstudios
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/middingstudios
