5 Questions — Niosha Tonic of TAJ Candles
By Clyde Hughes | AC JosepH Media
WESTAMPTON — Niosha Tonic said the art of making candles is something that is in her blood, a creativity first cultivated by her father.
Tonic, who has been in business selling our own handmade candles for nearly two years, said he named her company TAJ Candles after her children. She said creating scents comes with a personal satisfaction.
It is exactly that personal touch and creative spirit that makes TAJ Candles unique. She shared with Front Runner New Jersey her inspiration of becoming a business owner and creating candles and the importance of African American role models in business.
The Niosha Tonic File
Name: Niosha Tonic
Name of Business: TAJ Candles
Address: At home business in Westampton
Years in business: 1.5 years
Specialize in: Home scents
Contact info: Website: TAJCandles.com; Instragram: @tajcandles; Facebook: TAJ Candles; Email: Tajcustserv@
5 Questions
1. FRNJ: What made you become a business owner?
Niosha Tonic: I learned to make candles from watching my father when I was younger. I always wanted to learn the craft myself. I always had the thought in the back of my mind as grew older. After watching my kids grow into themselves and taking control of their lives, I finally had the time to revisit the thought. Once I told my family it was their support that gave me the motivation to start my own business. I named the business TAJ, which is the first initial of my children’s names. Once I started making candles and people gave me inspiring feedback, I decided this was something I grow. I started with candles and now I make room & car sprays, plus cement vessels for my candles, and cement incense holders.
2. FRNJ: Why did you select your current field?
Niosha Tonic: I don’t think it was something I chose to do, I believe it was something I was meant to do. Seeing the craft at a younger age opened my eyes on how rewarding making candles was. Having life open up to provide me the time to research, study, and learn the craft was the blessing. Still having the spark in my eyes years later to restart the journey was the stone etching I needed to move forward in this field.
3. FRNJ: What do you enjoy the most about being a business owner?
Niosha Tonic: I love watching other people enjoy my work. Making candles and home scents brings me a personal satisfaction, but to be able to create a product that people want is an added benefit. Hearing the stories of how they use my products motivates me to keep creating ideas to bring more people to my product. I also enjoy getting out and meeting the public through many different events I do. Live marketing research is the best way to stay on top of what people are looking for.
4. FRNJ: How important is it for you to have positive Black role models in business?
Niosha Tonic: Let’s face it the more we are out there, the more it encourages others of our own background to take the first step in creating their own path. There are so many inventions created by Black people that got washed out in learning materials and classrooms, that still have not being recognized properly. Black role models are needed not only for our own culture but to elevate and teach other cultures that were born to survive and will remain. Our creative minds are to be celebrated and put on high platforms.
5. FRNJ: Anything else would you like to add?
Niosha Tonic: I would like to thank Front Runner New Jersey for giving space to speak about TAJ Candles and myself. I appreciate the light. I also would like to send thanks to every person who has supported TAJ Candles in anyway. Love to my family and friends as well, it’s because of the love they have given that keeps me going.
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FrontRunnerNewJersey.com just started a new column that highlights African American businesses in South Jersey. We would like to feature yours! If interested, DM us or drop us an email at clyde.hughes@yahoo.com for more information. Thanks.
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