7 minute read
Wax Buffalo Expands with New Location, Christmas Market
ALICIA REISINGER, FOUNDER OF WAX BUFFALO. (PHOTO COURTESY OF WAX BUFFALO)
melding A COMMUNITY
WAX BUFFALO EXPANDS WITH NEW LOCATION, CHRISTMAS MARKET
BY TIFFANY BRAZDA
Alicia Reisinger wears her heart on her sleeve when asked about buying local. The founder of Wax Buffalo pours as much into the Nebraska small business community as she does wax into her company’s trademark glass jars branded with a big X.
The Lincoln-based candle company, which was founded in 2014, offers small batch, pure soy candles in scents inspired by everything from cocktails to seasons to the Capital City itself.
Reisinger has a vision for the company that is much more than a candle shop in Lincoln’s Haymarket District near 7th and O streets. Just in time for Black Friday, Wax Buffalo is set to open its second location on Prescott Avenue, which joins other neighboring woman-owned businesses including Paper Kite and Goldenrod Pastries.
But she didn’t stop there; Wax Buffalo’s Winter Market on O Street will debut December 4 from 12 to 6 p.m. under the O Street bridge. Through a partnership with the Haymarket Association, the inaugural event is modeled after German Christmas markets and will feature local businesses and over 75 makers.
“Our goal is to create something that becomes like a tradition for Nebraska, and it becomes something you look forward to and want to be a part of each year,” Reisinger said.
She also hopes to create more buzz about the businesses in the historic area.
“There’s tons of small businesses down here, but I think over the years, people kind of moved out from this area,” she said. “So there’s a bunch of us down here that are really helping to set a new agenda for the Haymarket and get bodies back here and see the historic part of Lincoln and indulge in small businesses.”
While Wax Buffalo maintains its small business charm, its reach is anything but small. Last year the company reached $1 million in revenue. Its products can be found in nearly 400 stores throughout the U.S. including Whole Foods and Scheels. Those looking for candles in the Omaha Metro can find them in stores such as Made in Omaha and Mulhall’s.
Collaboration over Competition
The Christmas market is a testament to Reisinger’s passion for Nebraska’s small business community. Her motto, “collaboration over competition,” is displayed in the Wax Buffalo flagship store.
Collaborations have come in the form of limited product lines that featured vessels from local artists like ceramic artist Joy O’Conner from EarthenJoy. Others, like “Distance,” which came together at the beginning of the pandemic, featured products that helped raise money for the Food Bank of Lincoln.
Reisinger has also created a space for local “femme forward” business owners with Ember – a society of woman-owned businesses that meets once a month.
After noting several people coming to her asking for advice, she decided to create a group for women to gather.
“It’s been really cool to see what builds out of that and the way that people collaborate, just because we’re in the same group together,” she said.
Initially called Local Girl Gang, the group is reemerging with the new name. The next event will take place December 8 at Alchemy Aqua Vitae.
“We really have a heart for other female-owned businesses throughout Nebraska,” Reisinger said.
A Space for Creativity
Building off a popular feature of the Haymarket location, the 1,400-squarefoot Prescott location features a larger candle lab for customers to create their own candles. With parties and showers in mind, the new space can host 40,
versus 12 at the flagship store.
Wax Buffalo also received its liquor license for both locations with the intention to grow that side of the business.
Sustainability is also top of mind in Wax Buffalo products, with vessels made to be repurposed, reused or recycled. For instance, the cocktail collection not only features scents like Moscow mule and mulled wine, but the candles are poured into cocktail glasses. The candles are vegan, made with essential oils, and American-made pure soy, free of phthalates and petroleum.
What’s Next
At this time, getting poised for the holiday shopping season, Reisinger noted that for small businesses, nearly 75% of yearly revenue is made in November and December alone.
“My biggest encouragement would be for just our community to think about where you’re spending your dollars this season,” she said.
In 2023, Wax Buffalo will also begin offering same-day delivery for customers who want the option to send a gift to someone in the Lincoln area.
With that option comes the brand-new “Botanical” line, which features a new reusable glass vessel and scents such as teak, santal, cactus, wildflower and dahlia.
With the increase in shipping costs on top of mind— a whopping 300% — the company has started a crowdfunding campaign to launch the line.
Reisinger said navigating these challenges has welcomed creative solutions.
“It’s trying to figure out how to absorb the cost of making our product without necessarily having to pass it on to our customers, but also trying to be savvy as a business owner and say, ‘Okay, how do we survive this,’” she said.
Customers can contribute to the crowdfunding campaign at waxbuffalo.com.
MBJ
531-500-2755 • 727 O ST. LINCOLN 68508
SOCIAL MEDIA: FACEBOOK • PINTEREST YOUTUBE • INSTAGRAM
We’re Hiring!
Explore current opportunities at eacg.com/careers
Somer Krueger, Founder Trios Salon
Allen Chaffee, Cornhusker Bank Director, Market Development, and Somer Krueger
Confidence.
Serving Lincoln since 1978
LaunchLNK’s Impact
PROGRAM STARTUPS HAVE RAISED OVER $82 MILLION
BASICBLOCK
LaunchLNK has a lot to be excited about. In just five years, program startups have gone on to raise over $82 million in follow-on funding.
A grant recipient and big contributor to that number is BasicBlock, a software and financial services company building products for fleets and carriers. BasicBlock was a LaunchLNK grant recipient in 2019. In May 2020 they closed a $1.5 million seed round, and in early 2022 they completed a $78 million raise.
Taylor Monks, CEO & Co-Founder of BasicBlock, says, “It is an awesome feeling to be able to bring this type of capital into Lincoln.” The company has over 30 employees and is still aggressively hiring across multiple departments and locations. About the company’s growth, Monks continues, “We’re packed in our office like peanuts.” The plan is to move into a new office in downtown Lincoln early next year.
Beyond the grant funds, startups can leverage $8,000 in business services, connections to sources of both capital and mentorship and introductions to local corporations who could become early customers or partners.
Christie Stukenholtz, Co-Founder and CEO of Senior Care Finder, stated, “The LaunchLNK grant provided the
much-needed financial support to act on the items most critical to our success. There is no doubt that the program broadened our network, providing connections to a cohort of other founders and industry experts.” Senior Care Finder is an online technology platform connecting families with senior living and care options. A LaunchLNK recipient in 2022, the company has experienced rapid growth and both founders are now working on the business full time. We need a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and this program has proven to yield an outsized return on TAYLOR MONKS, investment. Looking forward, CEO & CO-FOUNDER OF we’re excited to continue BASICBLOCK expanding our pipeline and to fund the next cohort of scalable businesses in Lincoln. LaunchLNK is seeking its 2023 cohort of companies. Applications are open through Dec 31, 2022. Five businesses will be awarded $25,000 in non-dilutive capital grants. LaunchLNK is a program by StartupLNK and the Lincoln Partnership for Economic Development (LPED) for entrepreneurs who want to build and grow their company in Lincoln, Nebraska. Apply at http://launchlnk.com/. Contact startuplnk@ selectlincoln.org with questions.
CHRISTIE STUKENHOLTZ, CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF SENIOR CARE FINDER
We need a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem, and this program has proven to yield an out-sized return on investment. Looking forward, we’re excited to continue expanding our pipeline and to fund the next cohort of scalable businesses in Lincoln.
-KATHY ANDERSEN, DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
SENIOR CARE FINDER
Address: 3 Landmark Centre, 1128 Lincoln Mall, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE 68508
Contact Us: (402) 436-2350 | lincchamber@lcoc.com
Website: www.lcoc.com
