Meet Aeryn Keslar of Seffner

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aeryn Keslar.

Hi Aeryn, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always loved candles and had always wanted to learn how to make them for myself. When I wanted to make them for myself, I at the time didn’t think to use the avenues that have been there to help me figure it out (Google, YouTube, Esty, etc.). It just wasn’t for me back then. When it was right for me to bring it into my space, something clicked and it was during the Pandemic when I found the right tools that allowed me to learn what I needed to make the things I’ve wanted to for a long time. I bought a candle making test kit from an out of state company and got started. The excitement level was at 100 when I started and I loved that feeling and I just kept going with the flow. I watched what feels like over 50 YouTube videos and read countless pages of works from other candle makers to learn the what to dos and the don’ts. Once I felt like I had most of what I needed to know down, I started making candles and wax melts for family and friends. I wanted to get some true feedback and was welcoming the good and possibly bad. I took the critiques, made some changes and then decided to take the next steps towards creating a business. Now here we are – and it’s been so much fun. I love being able to create something that makes other people smile.

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?
It hasn’t been a super smooth road but it hasn’t been horribly bad either. I’ve never done anything like this before and so I’ve just taken what comes up and tried breaking each obstacle down and learn the lesson I needed to. It’s been challenging trying to figure out how to get my products out there for more people to experience them. Trying to navigate what’s trending and what people are looking for and what they want to experience from the candles – I feel it’s an experience and can impact feelings and moods – has left me wondering for hours. Not having a legit candle supply store locally has left me stranded and not being able to make what I need to. There have been times where bottling, fragrance and candle wax companies have been completely out of the products I need and because of that, I wasn’t able to fulfill orders in time. It has been difficult trying to put my all into this passion when also working a full-time job. I definitely wouldn’t change the steps that I’ve had to take to get to this point because as I mentioned previously, this whole thing is new to me and I needed to go through the not so good in order to grow and make better decisions.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Being a Creator is so much fun! Seeing the visions/visualizations come to life is so rewarding. I wanted to create candles for people that would change their atmosphere to an uplifting one, especially during this Pandemic. Knowing that most of us would be inside more than before definitely drove me to find scents to achieve the right vibes. At the moment, I am currently specializing in jar candles (big and small) and wax melts. I did test a lot of different wax and fragrance combinations to get to the right cold and hot throw (cold – how strong the candle smells unlit & hot – how strong the candle smells while lit). Doing this, I feel, has really helped me be known for strong smelling candles that fill a room. I also wanted to clean burning candles and so I found the right wax and wicks that are non-toxic and free of parabens and phthalates. I am so proud of the success I’ve encountered with my business, I set out to make people smile and add as much positivity as I can to another’s life. I really put a lot of love and passion into my products. I hand write thank you letters to my customers with each purchase and I place quotes of empowerment, love, beauty, hope and so much more on top of my candles – I feel that definitely sets me apart from other businesses. I realize that morale is down and people just need to know that they’re being thought of and I want to share with them all of the love and positive vibes that surround us daily.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
How fun. Most if not all who know me know that I’m always there for you to help in any way I can. I’m super optimistic and welcoming of all things and can change the mood/frequency when around – I love that. I feel like creating this business and seeing the joy and fulfillment I get from it is what has been most surprising to the people who know me. This work is something so different than what I’ve done in the past and when I’ve introduced people to my business, it was a shock to most that it was something I created from scratch. I will say that I am pretty reserved, I don’t let all of my light/flame shine because it can be intense sometimes. I’m a quiet heavy hitter, I make silent moves that better myself and those close to me and so because of that, doing this business and putting myself out there to the public is something completely different for me.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.craftywickercandle.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftywickercandleco/
• Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/craftywickercandle/

Image Credits
Rosie @rosie.reine