from hobby to hustle: soul candles
Some businesses are born from passion. Others are born from necessity. For the founder of Soul Candles, it was both...and the result is a wellness brand rooted in resilience, ritual, and the quiet power of fragrance.
As a mother of three, including two children with autism, and a caregiver to her husband during his recovery from a traumatic brain injury, she found herself searching for something that was entirely her own. What she found was candle making. What started as a form of self-care at her kitchen table has grown into Soul Candles, a handcrafted wellness brand serving customers throughout New York and beyond. With a culinary arts degree, a powerlifter's discipline, and a maker's heart, she brings an unexpected depth to everything she creates, and her customers feel it.
From Kitchen Table to Brand
Soul Candles began during a season when I needed an outlet for creativity, peace, and purpose. As a mother of three, including two children with autism, and while supporting my husband through a traumatic brain injury, life felt overwhelming at times. Candle making started as a hobby and a form of self-care. I quickly fell in love with the process of blending fragrances and creating products that helped people slow down and create intentional moments for themselves. What started at my kitchen table has grown into a wellness brand serving customers throughout New York and beyond.
From Hobby to Hustle
The tipping point came when people started asking for more. Friends, family, and customers kept returning to purchase candles and requesting new fragrances. I realized I wasn’t just making products—I was creating experiences that people connected with emotionally. After my first successful markets and repeat customers began seeking me out, I knew there was an opportunity to build something bigger than a hobby.
The Moment It Became More Than a Hobby
I create handcrafted beeswax candles, reed diffusers, room and linen sprays, body oils, and wellness products under the Soul Candles brand. My inspiration comes from everyday rituals, travel, memories, and the emotions that fragrance can evoke. Each scent is designed to help transform ordinary moments into meaningful experiences. I love creating products that help people feel grounded, comforted, inspired, or simply at peace after a long day. I love when customers smell a candle and tell me a story about what a fragrance reminds them of.
Wins Worth Celebrating & Lessons Worth Keeping
One of my proudest accomplishments has been securing corporate orders and growing from local markets to wholesale accounts and larger opportunities. Seeing customers return year after year and hearing how my products have become part of their self-care routines means everything to me.
I’ve definitely had my share of learning moments—from ordering the wrong supplies to underpricing products in the beginning. Those experiences taught me the importance of knowing my value, understanding my costs, and building systems that allow my business to grow sustainably.
A Day in Your Life as a Maker
Every day is different. I wear many hats: maker, marketer, photographer, inventory manager, event planner, and business owner. I also balance family responsibilities, including caring for my children. Some days I’m pouring candles, other days I’m packing wholesale orders, preparing for markets, teaching workshops, or creating content for social media. Entrepreneurship requires flexibility, but I love the variety.
Advice for Fellow Makers
I’m sure you’ve heard this but start before you feel ready. Trust yourself and don’t wait for everything to be perfect. Focus on creating a great product, listen to your customers, and keep learning. Research everything, you’re not alone there are so many great resources. Also, know your numbers early, and get organized. Pricing and profitability matter just as much as creativity. Most importantly, stay consistent. Small steps repeated over time create incredible results. Don’t feel pressured to give discounts, your people will come and they will buy your candle at your price.
What Keeps Her Going
My family keeps me going. Building Soul Candles has given me the opportunity to create something meaningful while showing my children the value of perseverance. I also stay motivated by my customers. Every kind message, repeat order, and story about how someone enjoyed one of my products reminds me why I started.
The "Why" Behind Soul Candles
The name Soul Candles reflects my belief that fragrance and self-care can nourish more than our senses—they can nurture our spirit. At the heart of the brand is the idea that everyone deserves thoughtful moments of rest, reflection, and comfort. I hope my products help people feel grounded, cared for, and connected to themselves.
Growing Sustainably
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing growth with family responsibilities. Learning how to scale while maintaining the quality and personal touch that customers expect has required patience and constant adjustment. I’ve also learned that building a business is as much about mindset as it is about products.
Signature Products & the Creative Process
My signature products are my handcrafted beeswax candles and reed diffusers. Customer favorites include Sunday Morning, Meditation, and Cocoa Butter Cashmere. I develop new fragrances by thinking about moods, memories, and experiences I want to recreate. I often test multiple fragrance combinations before finding the perfect blend.
How Soul Candles Finds Its People
In-person markets have been one of my most valuable growth tools because they allow customers to experience the fragrances firsthand and connect with the story behind the brand. Social media, email marketing, workshops, and wholesale partnerships have also played important roles. Building genuine relationships with customers has been my most effective marketing strategy.
What's Next for Soul Candles
In the next year, I hope to expand my workshop offerings and continue growing my wholesale presence. In five years, I would love to open a dedicated space where people can experience Soul Candles through candle-making workshops, retail shopping, and community events centered around wellness and creativity.
The Person Behind the Pour
People are often surprised to learn that I have a culinary arts degree, and I’m a Powerlifter. Creativity has always been part of who I am, whether it’s through food, fragrance, or product development. To me, success means creating a business that supports my family while making a positive impact on the lives of others.
How Makesy Has Helped
Makesy has been a valuable resource throughout my maker journey. From supplies and education to inspiration and community, the company has helped me continue learning and growing as both a maker and a business owner. I love the support that Makesy provides especially the 1:1 monthly calls.
Find Soul Candles
Website: www.soulcandles.org
Instagram: @_soulcandles
YouTube: @SoulCandlesBoutique
TikTok: @Soulcandlesboutique
Favorite Makesy Products
