with the loss of my job + a candle!
As a single mom of 2, I lost my entire income when I was let go from my job, during the pandemic, in 2020. With no time to waste I asked myself, “what is my passion and how can I support my children?” As scary as this was at the time, in a weird way it felt like this was the path I was meant to walk on and what seemed to be my darkest days, was actually just the beginning of a beautiful journey.
I’ve always had this dream of one day turning my candle making hobby into a candle making business! Well, this was now my sole focus, and greatest opportunity. I had no idea where it was going to go but it was my only option, so I jumped in with both feet + fingers crossed.
I created BE.CANDLES with just my candles that I have been making for over 20+ years. They are 100% all natural soy wax + coconut oil, hand poured in small batches into 100% recycled glass containers with a cotton wick. Just a few tweaks from way back when with an updated look. These candles have now brought on a whole new meaning and a whole new life to me + my family. They are not just a hobby, we now have a business!
Shortly after my candles were re-created, I just had to keep going! I wanted more, I felt I needed more. So I dug deep and focused on just a few things that make me happy - nature, pampering products and the environment! I blended all that with my creative vision, passion and dream, inspiring me to expand with an all-natural + organic custom scented bath + body line with sustainably sourced ingredients.
When using NATURAL + ORGANIC products all oils added need to be not only unique but CLEAN. By clean I mean the safest, highest quality + most thoroughly tested in the industry so you can have peace of mind while burning my candles in your home and / or applying these oils to your skin. All oils are free from toxins and questionable ingredients, free of phthalates, gluten, alcohol, dyes + irritants, they are Non-GMO, cruelty free, vegan and best of all they are skin safe! All of my products have an unscented base and are custom scented by you with our unique + clean fragrance oil that is strong + true to life + tested for exceptional performance for both candles and bath + body.
I am a big believer that pampering yourself is essential for the BODY + MIND + SOUL, especially during trying times.
Last but certainly not least the name! The name BODE+EV came from what I cherish in life the most in life, my two children, Boden + Eviana. “BE” was derived from the first letter of each one of their names and my birds represent each of them! Not only do they represent my children, they have a powerful symbolism of peace, transformation, freedom + power. They are an inspiration for me to aim higher and reach my goals + dreams despite the obstacles I may face along the way.
For years I have been chasing my dreams and now I feel like I am living them! And it all started with an open mind, the loss of my job and a candle. - Tracey