Today we’d like to introduce you to Theresa Fox.
Hi Theresa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was in the Air Force for six years as a radio operator, and in 2012 due to an injury to my hand, I left the military and became a stay-at-home mom. At the time, we were stationed in Germany. Being stationed in Germany was one of the most rewarding experiences. I have always loved to travel and being in Europe was a dream come true.
When we returned to the states in 2015, I tried to re-enter the workforce, but I found it difficult due to my injuries. So instead, I filled my time making arts and crafts with our daughter.
During this, I fell in love with making candles; we loved burning them in our own home, and I decided that it would be fun to make them.
Others have always told me that I should sell my items, but I always said no. It wasn’t until 2020 and covid that I decided to take the leap and turn my love of candle-making into a business.
At that moment, I decided to take my love of traveling and candles and merge them.
Smells can trigger a memory or feeling, and I was missing traveling with all the lockdowns and travel restrictions. So I decided to develop a candle line inspired by our travels to share with everyone and give people an escape. Whenever I want to remember my time in Italy, Venetian Peach Bellini brings me right back to Venice, where I drink a Bellini and look at the beautiful scenery. Or perhaps I miss our old German neighborhood; I will put a German Apple Strudel in our warmer and be transported to our little German village bakery.
My scents are curated to create an experience that will bring you right to each location it is inspired by.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road; I do not recommend starting a product business in the middle of a pandemic with supply shortages. For example, I constantly changed my candle design because of the glass, cotton, and wax shortage. I also realized that making candles for my home and a business are two very different things. Suddenly, I had to worry about if I was making a candle that wouldn’t burn someone’s house down and that buying supplies for a hobby and a business is very different. I’m also naturally shy, and marketing has been a challenge for me. However, It’s been almost two years, and I can say that I am in a much better place.
As you know, we’re big fans of Traveling Fox Scented Creations. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Traveling Fox is veteran-owned and handcrafted with love and care, inspired by the many beautiful places in this world.
I select and blend all of our candles scents using only certified clean oils. In addition, I take great care in making all of our candles and wax melts in small batches to protect to quality of your product. One thing that is important to me is I strive to buy all of our materials from stores in the US, and we even try to source our materials from other small businesses.
What sets us apart from other candle makers is that I include some of our actual travel pictures on our candle labels and website. I want to try and give our customers a way to escape when life gets hectic. Light one of our candles and travel the world all from the comfort of their homes.
I am most proud of the impact my candles have had on customers. People have reached out to me and said that my scents help distract them. One such customer even wrote that her husband from Germany loved my German Inspired candle, that it made him feel like he was back home in Germany. Another customer said that she feels far away from work even though she is busy with work when she uses our Venetian Peach Bellini wax melt.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I lived in a small town and always had my head in books, reading about Greek mythology and ancient Rome, dreaming of the day when I would travel to Europe. I even watched travel shows like Rick Steeves. When I didn’t have my head in books, I was outside playing sports or biking. I also really enjoyed baking and went to school for Pastry Arts before joining the military. I think I was still trying to figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
Pricing:
- 15.00 for 10oz Candles
- 6.50 for 2.5 oz Wax Melt
Contact Info:
- Email: Theresa.fox@travelingfoxsc.org
- Website: www.travelingfoxsc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelingfoxsc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TravelingFoxSC
