Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Dukes.
Hi Danielle, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The end of 2021 was a rough one for me. I was stressed from many different parts of my life. I had just moved from the DMV area after living there for seven years. I was in a new season of my life, in a new relationship, and on the hunt to find a solid friend group. Meanwhile, my main stressor came from my 9-5 role. Working in the tech industry is great, but no one ever talks about the incredible stressful burnout culture it can have. Unfortunately, I was feeling the guilt of imposter syndrome, constant pressure to perform and meet unrealistic expectations to clients. From all this, my mental & emotional health became severely impacted and I needed an outlet.
As someone who’s always loved to create with my hands, I found an outlet in creating candles. While I’ve curated many candle collections each season, there were very few I found myself gravitating to repurchase year after year. In December 2021, I purchased my first candle kit on Amazon, and it instantly sparked a new hobby for me! Since then, I’ve already learned so much about candle making & I’m excited to be on this journey while bringing my ideas to life!
Antagonist, like the name, highlights your favorite “villians” from fictional pop culture (movies, tv, anime, etc,) with scent profiles that are parallel to their character traits. My debut collection of The PowerPuff Girls received SO much support from my family & friends, and those that enjoy my social media content; this is truly something I feel so proud to have created that others are enjoying!
I am eager to continue to grow my brand and experiment with creating new products. Looking ahead, I am thrilled to find wholesale prospects to work with & continue to expand around the Austin area!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I definitely would not call it smooth by any means! Often times I find myself struggling to manage everything that goes into making my business run day to day. Managing it with my full-time job is not for the weak. Some days feel like marathons with all that I plan to accomplish. With Antagonist, there is so much more that happens behind the scenes than just creating candles. I sometimes joke and say that I feel more like a content creator & marketer than a business owner. There’s sometimes a lot of pressure to keep up and remain relevant on social media. However, it’s a necessary evil. And if I’m being honest, I sometimes do enjoy take a break from pouring to plan out a day just to create content. 😊
I look at each day as an opportunity to learn something new. Remaining optimistic while checking in with my intuition has kept me balanced and I accept each challenge openly, as there is nothing I cannot overcome.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in creating small batch soy wax vegan candles & pillars based on your favorite fictional villain. I love the idea of having something that evokes nostalgia in your home that can remind you of a beloved character, from your favorite book, tv show, or movie. Having something as simple as a candle, that many already enjoy, and turning it into something with a bit of an edge, is unique. Yet, it maintains the possibility of being transitional among several subcultures of people & interests.
What sets me apart from others honestly, my creativity. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “You’re so creative!” Just hearing that, warms my heart and makes me feel so proud of what I’ve created. It lets me know that I’m on the right path; that my ideas are always worth sharing with others.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Five years is a bit a ways away for me after just getting started earlier this year. BUT, I have my eyes set on a local retailers & specialty service stores that I’d love to be a vendor in . If I could have it my way, Antagonist would primarily operate as a wholesale supplier to brands locally in Austin & and domestically around the United States. I see myself in the gift shop at the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa in Lost Pines, TX, inside of your favorite gift shop on South Congress, Wholefoods, and anywhere your favorite candles are sold- The sky’s the limit!
I want this brand to be on the top of everyone’s list when thinking of unique gifts that can share with their loved ones.
Pricing:
- 7oz Candles – $22
- Wax Melts – $8- 20
- Decorative Body Candles – $25
(at Triple Z Threadz on South Congress)
Contact Info:
- Website: antagonistcandles.com
- Instagram: @antagonistcandles
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@antagonistcandles?lang=en (tiktok)
