Today we’d like to introduce you to Jenna Lade.
Jenna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
The creative side of me really started to blossom during the pandemic. Being stuck at home, I was looking for new avenues to keep me busy, and I started crafting as a result. I’ve always loved candles, and so I thought I would tackle trying to make my own. I studied the ins and outs of candle making, as well as educated myself on the ingredients that go into them. I quickly learned that all candles are not created equal, and so many candles on the market are made with harmful ingredients. Learning this fueled my desire to make candles that were free from these ingredients for a safer home environment.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing great comes without struggle! Believe it or not, candle-making is not easy. It took me about six months of trial and error to narrow down the perfect formula for these candles. There’s a lot of science behind it that I don’t think a lot of people realize. So many aspects play vital roles when making a candle, including temperature, percentages of fragrance, size of wick, hardening of the wax over time, etc.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a local candle maker! I hand-pour candles that are free of parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, lead and are vegan and cruelty-free. My candles are made with a coconut wax blend, which is much different than soy and paraffin which are the waxes typically used in candles. I decided to go with coconut wax because it is the most eco-friendly and sustainable.
I’m proud of how far this business has come from the first day of making my first candle at home in my kitchen. I’ve met some amazing people and have gotten great exposure through working local markets in the San Diego area, and Colily Candles is currently carried in multiple retail stores across the country. It’s been an amazing start to the first year in business, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit and studied entrepreneurship in college. I gravitate towards books that really empower me to keep chasing my dreams as a business owner. One of my favorites is How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
Pricing:
- 7.5 oz candles – $24
- 12.5 oz candles – $40
Contact Info:
- Email: jenna@colilycandles.com
- Website: https://colilycandles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colilycandles/
Image Credits
Anita Zamani Photography Thula Creative
