My story
HOW IT STARTED
“Just pick up a kit of some kind at the craft store, something with all the parts and pieces that I can put together.” These were the December 23rd words of instruction I gave my husband as he geared up for his holiday shopping.
On December 25th, 2020 (yes, the pandemic Christmas) I opened the candle making kit. It was love at first sight. I had often thought about learning to make candles. We’d spoken of it off and on over the years. He nailed it that Christmas. I was at the craft store December 26th for more!
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT CANDLES
When I was a girl, my mom would let me go around the house to light all the candles before the company arrived. And ever since I have loved lighting candles, filling a room with a dancing light that waves at you while you watch it glow. A candle burning on a table or on the counter brings inspiration to the room – the scent, the sight, and now with wooden wicks available, even the sound. When we stare at the live flame we are reminded of the fire within ourselves. When we breathe in the fragrance our senses are reminded of a place or moment or dream. A candle’s melting magic does its thing…it makes an ordinary moment profound.
WHY A BUSINESS?
Making candles for fun and enjoyment is one thing. But turning it into a business? And by a person who nearly flunked Business Math 101 twice (I passed the second time with a C-), and changed her undergraduate major after nearly flunking Accounting 101? No one saw this candle business coming.
I decided to take candle making to the next level for one reason: BRAIN HEALTH. I have Alzheimer’s Disease on both sides of my family. I live a pretty healthy life doing all the things they advise for Alzheimer’s prevention - except for the part about intentionally challenging your brain every day. Figuring out how to start and run a business has elevated learning to a level that challenges me and keeps my brain healthy and working hard.
Kim Eichner, Owner & Candle Maker
WHAT’S IMPORTANT
There are a few things that drive what I do as a candle maker.
BUY LOCAL
The candle which inspired me the most through candle learning was a lovely lavender-lemon scented candle I bought on a whim at a drive-up latte stand on my way home from work. I saw it perched on the latte shelf and bought it as a splurge to boost my mood. It was handmade in the town I worked at. I like to buy local as much as I can. I’ve made it a tradition to shop on Small Business Saturday for about as long as it’s been a thing. And I prefer to buy flowers grown and sold by local farmers. I buy as many parts and pieces of my candles as possible from my neighbors.
Small Business Saturday is always the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend.
RECYCLE
I have always tried to find a way to re-use the containers my candles come in. I’ve turned candle jars into flower vases, water glasses, coin jars, or candle holders for votive and pillar candles. On my candles I use peelable labels and I provide directions on how to remove the wax and wick with my candles. I am not perfect when it comes to recycling, but I try to do my part. It’s important to me to be a part of the solution for our earth and its resources.
SUPPORT FOODBANK FARM
My husband’s mid-life crisis was to grow fresh produce for area foodbanks. (And mine is clearly candles!) His outreach to the region through Foodbank Farm rallies hundreds of volunteers and puts tons (literally) of fresh produce in Northwest foodbanks. Every year I volunteer a few times at the farm. But every day I support the farmer who makes it happen. My candle-making also supports the Foodbank Farm.