Candy’s Candles founder Candice Hayes says that her products do more than just permeate a room. Hayes, who creates a large variety of candles and wax melts, believes that her products lend themselves to allowing others to unwind in an atmosphere that feels stress-free, hospitable, and warm.
Candy’s Candles
Hayes, who is also a long-time local business owner of a local janitorial company, says that Candy’s Candles was born out of a desire to create something for herself that was therapeutic but that she could also leave for her janitorial clients.
“I wanted to leave something behind of added value for each of my clients,” shared Hayes of her corporate clients. “I would clean their business offices and always wanted to leave them with little gifts.”
Though Hayes was so grateful for her business, she found herself tired from a lack of taking time off.
“I wasn’t taking vacations like I should where I just unplugged from everything. I knew I needed another outlet, so I started making candles as a way to destress and then gifting many of them to my clients.”
When asked how Hayes landed on the new hobby of candy making, she shared that it was born out of the desire to burn and gift candles that were free of toxins and other chemicals that many store-bought candles often are these days.
“I would out go out and buy a candle, but then I’d get a headache. I started to wonder why this was happening and knew it was the big-box store candles that were throwing me off.”
Hayes says that after a slew of research, she quickly discovered exactly what’s in the majority of the candles she was often burning in her home.
“Colored candles have dyes in them and paraffin candles let off terrible toxins. I knew that I was inhaling all of this stuff and that it was going straight into my body. When you go to the store and buy a pretty candle, you aren’t really thinking about those things.”
She continued to share that the idea struck her one day to make safer candles herself. Not only did this seem like an excellent way to unwind and destress, but the idea of gifting them to her clients made her giddy.
Hayes officially launched Candy’s Candles in July 2019 and hasn’t looked back since.
Candy’s Candles are soy-based and free of lead. They also use cotton wicks and have fragrances that are phthalate-free. She also doesn’t use any dyes or anything artificial.
Soy Candles in Alabama
Additionally, all of the items from Candy’s Candles are hand-poured and eco-friendly.
I met Hayes through a mutual friend several months ago, and I shared with her that I’d love to get my hands on some of her candles because I light one almost every morning as part of my morning routine. A home that smells good is an incredible mood booster for me.
After a bit of friendly conversation, she gently educated me about what’s typically in many of the store-bought candles I burn in my home, and I was stunned. I’d admittedly never done any research about what differentiates some candles from others, and I was floored by what she shared. I was grateful for her knowledge, especially because I have three young children who breathe in anything I burn.
Madison, Alabama Candle Company
I took home one of her candles (the scent is “Sea Salt and Orchids” that day and began enjoying it the next morning. Not only do I now know a bit more about candle ingredients (and feel good about burning one from Candy’s Candles), but her scents leave my home smelling divine.
With proper wick trimming between burns, I’ve been able to enjoy countless hours of my first candle. I now have two of her scents (I recently started burning “Black Currant” and my husband loves it as much as I do!) in my home and am enjoying them immensely. Many of our family and friends have complimented the scents as well!
When I asked Hayes what brings her the most joy about running Candy’s Candles, she shared that she loves to hear how others used her products during some self-care time.
“People will tell me that lighting my candles helps to relax them and that they enjoy how much they smell,” she shared. “I hear this and it really motivates me. It makes me really happy to know that I’m helping them to have a peaceful moment.”
How and Where to Shop for Candy’s Candles
There are numerous ways to shop from Candy’s Candles.
First, shop online and have products shipped. For a small fee, Candice will ship her products anywhere in the U.S.
Second, shop online but pick up locally. Hayes has an office at The Offices at Spenryn and invites you to arrange a time for local pick-up. This is a fantastic option for those who are buying gifts for others locally, including business owners, bosses, etc. who may be buying in bulk to gift their employees and staff.
Additionally, Hayes sets up at markets throughout the year where she sells many products on-site. Hayes is currently set up each Saturday at Lowe Mill through the end of October.
Follow Candy’s Candles online
Website | Facebook | Instagram
Photography by Whitney Briscoe Photography for All Things Madison
This article is written in partnership with Candy’s Candles, a business I’ve recently fallen in love with and use daily in my own home. Thank you for supporting the brands and businesses that help keep All Things Madison a free resource for the community.
More from Madison
All About Interiors by Consign’s Gift Shop in Madison, Alabama
A Zoo For You, North Alabama! What to Expect, Site Maps, and More
A List of New Construction Neighborhoods in Madison, Alabama
Cured and Company: Fresh Charcuterie Boards Available for Delivery Anywhere in Madison
