Danbury Business Spotlight: Candlewood Fencing Center

Every local business has a story worth sharing with the community. And that’s the belief behind this exciting series we’ve kicked off at Patch — to shine the spotlight on all our favorite local businesses, and to learn a little about the ones we may not know that well.

Business: Candlewood Fencing Center
Owner: Tom Ciccarone
Website: www.CandlewoodFencing.com
Address: 272 White Street, Danbury CT 6810

How did you come up with the name?

The name Candlewood Fencing Center was chosen due to the close proximity to Candlewood Lake. We are in the Candlewood Valley and 5 minutes from the Danbury Town Park. I was also not a big proponent of using my name in the center’s logo. I think what we are about is the kids and not me personally.


Why choose that location? Why start a business in this town?

We chose the area because of its central location. CFC is conveniently located in the center of Danbury and just minutes away from Bethel, Newtown, Brookfield, Brewster, New Fairfield, Redding, Ridgefield, Wilton, Easton, Weston, as well as being on I84 in the North east main traffic route. This makes CFC the perfect place to afford easy access to members as well as being in close proximity to New York/NJ and Boston in order to host tournaments.

Briefly, what business are you in?

As far as what we do; we teach the time honored practice of fencing to students of all ages from 5 to 90. I like to joke with people when they ask what I do, When people ask I tell them that we put swords in the hands of young children but what we really do is teach the Olympic Sport of Fencing from the recreational to the International Level. I guess you could say that at Candlewood, Fencing is spoken here.


What’s the most difficult moment or challenge you’ve faced as a business owner?

The most difficult challenges in this business is the continuing evolution of the model. Every member from child to adult, has to be included, involved and made to feel that we care for them and want the best for them. That means that each fencer must have a plan tailored to their individual needs and talents.


Were there any challenges that made you second guess your decision to be an entrepreneur?

CFC was started in 1987. I have never regretted a single day of this experience. I am tremendously proud of the kids we help get in to scholastic programs. We have had most of our students attend the top colleges in the world. We currently boast fencers in Columbia, Yale, Notre Dame, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Johns Hopkins, Brown, Cornell, MIT, Stevens, UPENN, Ohio State, Penn State, Georgetown and Vassar to name a few.


What’s been your favorite moment or proudest achievement since opening?

The proudest moments occur whenever a fencer achieves their dreams. These could be winning a tournament, making the national team, being accepted to the college of their choice or just watching each child grow.

What’s the most innovative idea your employees or customers have had that you put into practice?

The most innovative concept that we put into play at CFC is that we, all of us, here work really, really, really, really, hard every day. It’s the only thing that seems to be effective. I am pleased to say that the staff at Candlewood is the best we have ever had and second to none in the fencing community.

How do you deal with difficult customers?

There are rarely any difficult customers, it is mostly just a breakdown in communication. The whole staff try and engage with our clients on a personal level to avoid difficulties, and if there is a breakdown we find out where it occurred and work with the client to find how to better communicate with them.

How does your business give back or get involved in the community?

We feel that CFC is a part of the community and in being such compels us to give as much back as possible in the form of assistance, grants, programs and direction to our young students. We are intensely proud of them and have life long bonds with them after they mature and leave.

I am proud to say, as an entrepreneur, that the Candlewood Fencing Center is a wonderful life-long achievement and is the realization of many dreams that have touched the lives of literally thousands of youths. I wouldn’t change it for anything.

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