This morning, we took advantage of timing and visited with Danielle Bice, owner of The Cow Patty, as she prepped for Labor Day Weekend in Colchester.

Danielle shared the story behind her 11-year journey, starting as a side hustle for a little extra fulfillment outside of her day job and growing it into a thriving side business. Beyond her handcrafted soy wax melts and other scented products, she talked through how she strategically selects supplemental products to broaden her customer appeal and drive growth.

We all know how hot & humid it's been this week, and Labor Day in Colchester is no formal event, so we "dressed for the day" at Danielle's request. Luckily, the wax melts stayed completely solid in the heat... even if we felt like we were melting a little bit in the morning sun! However, there is no match for having the opportunity to see a local creator in the midst of her busy season, on site, and ready to go. It is this kind of hands-on, real life experience that facilitates a deeper learning for everyone involved.