Who's That Gal: Savannah Williams, Founder of Savvy Cocoa’s

Name: Savannah Williams
Age: 28
Occupation: Executive Assistant from 10-6, Candle Making Boss 24/7
Currently living in: Mission Hill
Hometown: Boston
Currently reading: What She Ate by Laura Shapiro
Favorite workout: Boss Chick Twerk Cardio
I never leave home without___: Hand Sanitizer

When did you start Savvy Cocoa’s, and what led you to become an entrepreneur?

Savvy Cocoa’s was born 6/1/2019! I’ve always been attracted to the idea of entrepreneurship - I mean, who doesn’t like the sound of being their own boss? But it wasn’t until I came to the realization that I’m happier when I’m creating that I decided to take the leap. So after considering starting a Cake Pop Shop and quickly realizing I had no self-control when it came to consuming baked goods, I turned to candles and never looked back.

Savvy Cocoa candles are made with soy wax, lead-free wicks, and phthalate-free fragrances and essential oils. Why is it important to you that your products are eco-friendly?

I couldn’t imagine myself offering a product to my customers that I wouldn’t want to use myself or suggest to my loved ones for fear of harmful ingredients. Health is important to me, and I wanted that to shine through my products. Also, I once worked with environmental scientists. Since then, I gained a deeper understanding of the effects of pollution, especially as it pertains to the black community and other communities of color. I knew I wanted to make sure I kept a small carbon footprint and that’s why I:

Refrain from using plastic in my packages as much as possible
Use biodegradable packing peanuts
Offer tins and jars that can be repurposed to limit waste
Use boxes that are made of recycled cardboard

Where do you get inspiration for your enticing scent combinations?

It varies, but I’m mostly inspired by food. Other times it comes out of sheer curiosity. I’ll smell one scent, and I’ll play with different combinations for fun. Not all of my experiments make the final count, but I’m really proud of the combos I’ve created.

Knowing what you know now, if you could go back and tell younger Savannah one thing about starting Savvy Cocoa’s, what would that be?

I would tell myself to not be afraid of asking for help. The more you know the better, and there are some pretty awesome people out there that are more than happy to help you grow and share their knowledge.

What have been the most rewarding and challenging moments of running your own business?

For me, it was the process of developing products and the brand. I do all of the mixing, pouring, and develop scents for the candles. I also name all of the candles, create the descriptions, and do the product photography for Savvy Cocoa’s. It’s truly a one-woman show behind the scenes. But I truly love what Savvy Cocoa’s is growing to be, and I’m grateful for all of the amazing feedback I receive. It shows me time and time again that hard work pays off, and the headache is worth it.

What have you learned about yourself by pursuing entrepreneurship that you might not otherwise have known?

I knew I was driven, but it was during the times where I had to ask myself “Is this for me?” where I realized how bad I wanted Savvy Cocoa’s to succeed and how great my drive was. I’m forever impressed by the strength and courage I’m able to muster up when I can’t find it in outside sources, or when things aren’t going how I imagined. I’m really in it to win it.

What are your future plans for Savvy Cocoa’s?

I’d like to make Savvy Cocoa’s a full wellness brand, as self-care is super important to me. I’d like to aid people in finding something that might work for them, especially during these really crazy times. Be on the lookout for new products this Holiday Season!

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Becky Holder is a content contributor for JUGs and works in education. In her free time she looks for the next best cup of coffee and great food. Follow along @rebeccalizholder on Instagram.