Meet the Maker: The Peaceful Porch Candle Co.
Meet Wendy! She is the owner of The Peaceful Porch Candle Co. based in Wedowee, AL. When she isn't busy running her business and making candles, she is chasing around her 5 kiddos with her husband, Jake. Her family's story has inspired many and her candles have given back to the community in a way she never imagined. Read more about her story below!
What led you to start your business?
My husband was diagnosed with cancer 6 years ago and at the time we were both teachers. We have 5 children and he was only 26 at the time of his diagnosis. He was the football and baseball coach at our local high school and his players and the fellow community just immediately took us under their wing. They helped us with bills, cleaning the house, made us food, etc. Truly such a blessing. Once he recovered we wanted to do something to give back and help other families in need. So, I learned how to make my candles and I started selling them on Facebook originally. 25% of all of our profits go back to families battling cancer.
How did you come up with your business name?
We were renting a house in Wedowee while Jake was finishing up treatment. It’s over 100 years old, has multiple large porches and a beautiful circular driveway. The porches offered me such serenity during a time when I just really needed to unwind from the overwhelming year and a half we had just been through. We weren't planning to stay there but ended up buying the house. The woman who owned it prior to us was a Master Gardener at Auburn University and had a gorgeous garden in our yard. I was working in the garden one day and thought to myself, "this is just so peaceful". The idea came to me then and thus came The Peaceful Porch.
Tell us about your products/merchandise
We specialize in dough bowl candles, but also offer jar candles, wax melts, room sprays, and candles in various vessels. We are looking forward to be launching pillar candles, votive, and tea lights in 2021.As well as body butter, lip balm and body sprays.
Where all do you currently sell?
300 locations nationwide carry our products, our storefront in Wedowee, on our website and through social media.
What is your favorite part about owning a small business?
Being able to help others because the more we grow the more people we can help. That's just a huge thing for me.
“Being able to help others because the more we grow the more people we can help. That's just a huge thing for me."
What is the biggest challenge you have faced as a small business?
2020. We had to close our storefront for 8 weeks. That was really tough on the vendors who sell out of our storefront as well. We adapted and quickly shifted over to making hand sanitizer for 2 months. When people bought our hand sanitizers we donated the same product to the local hospitals and doctor’s offices. We donated thousands.
What has been your biggest success?
Selling our products in Palmetto Moon. They have 28 locations and our candles are in every one.
What is one thing you wish you knew before starting your small business?
That working with family can be tricky to balance. My 22, 20 and 18-year-old all work for us as well as my husband's parents. It's such a blessing but it can also be challenging to navigate. I wouldn't want it any other way!
What is the best piece of advice you would give someone aspiring to start their own small business?
Just do it! You can’t overthink it.
What are your goals for your business moving forward?
I am so excited that in 2021 we will be building a facility on our family farm. This will be where we pour our candles which will then open up more room in our storefront for 5 more vendors to come in.
You can shop The Peaceful Porch online on their website, in their store front located at 18 Main Street South in Wedowee, Alabama and in stores nationwide. Be sure to check them out on Instagram @thepeacefulporch01and on Facebook .