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Six
years ago while in college, Jeff came up with a
unique way to make candles using old candle wax.
After graduation, he began work in the corporate
world. After work, he’d spend his extra time
making candles as a hobby. Over time, he became
nearly perfect at his craft.
In December 2001, Jeff was
blessed when the company he was working for laid
him off. After spending the next 4 months looking
for work, a new place to live (there weren’t
any jobs in Austin), and the meaning of my life,
he ended up back in Austin. After searching long
and hard for any job in the area, he decided his
best option was to begin a candle business. After
all, his friends and family always seemed to love
his candles, and with 5 years of experience,
he had the skills of a great candle artisan! The
candles he was making were better than any candle
in the store, and he could sell them for less than
their pricey competitors.
He first attained a website
with which to sell the candles. He needed a niche
in the market, so he came up with the idea that
he would make custom-made candles. The customers
could tell him what colors and scents they desired
in a candle, and he’d make it then ship it
to them. After all, he was making candles anyway,
might as well make candles that were already sold.
In November of 2002, he needed to get the word out
on the business. He began to show the candles in
flea markets. While everyone seemed to like the
candles, he only sold one in 3 weeks. He couldn’t
compete with the $1 Kmart specials in the neighboring
booth.
After reorganizing his efforts,
Jeff was introduced to an Art & Crafts show
in South Austin. That was where his inspiration
blossomed…strangers (not just his family)
really did like the candles! After Christmas, he
found a few more diverse arenas to sell his creations
including the Renaissance Market, an open-air market,
and an eclectic evening on South Congress held monthly
in South Austin. He was beginning to build stability,
but that would change as the Texas summer was approaching.
The pillar candles, being wax, will get soft and
deform if it gets too hot, and Texas is definitely
hot.
He decided to hit the road (with
his girlfriend at the time) in an effort to keep the business alive.
With that in mind, and help from incredibly supportive parents,
he invested in a travel trailer. Jeff was able to schedule out
events across the Midwest through early summer, then in the
Rocky Mountains over the latter half. Every week that he could
find a venue with which to present their goods, they set up the
mobile Healing Glow Candle Studio. They went to
a variety of shows from music festivals, arts &
craft shows, and town festivals. At most shows,
they did better than most of the other vendors,
but with the economy, the results still weren’t
that great. They needed every bit of business in
order to get to the next show!
The whole summer was rough,
but they’re proud to say that they made it
through with a pulse and a smile. Just recently,
Healing Glow Candle decided to relocate the business
to Denver, Colorado. After much searching, Jeff
was able to find a suitable location where he
could live and have a studio in the eclectic neighborhood
of Highlands Square.
On November 1, a much-anticipated
day arrived when Jeff and the HG team opened the
doors on the premier Healing Glow Candle Studio.
Its been a long uphill journey, but its all been
worth it.
Today, all Healing Glow
Candles are handcrafted in the Denver, Colorado
area by artisans who take great pride in their creations
and the good vibrations their creations emit. All
candles are of the highest quality in their burning
characteristics and burn times. By following the
proper candle burning procedures, HG Candles will
burn perfectly! Visit the website at www.healingglow.com
to design your own candles! Pick them up at our
studio in Denver, or have them shipped to any address
in the continental United States.
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