We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anna Constantino a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Anna thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At the heart of my mission lies a deep commitment to spark little joys and provide comfort in our everyday lives. In a world that can often feel chaotic and overwhelming, I believe in the power of simple, heartfelt moments—like the warm glow of a candle or the soothing scent of a home fragrance—to transform our spaces and uplift our spirits.

Creating high-quality, small batch, handcrafted pure soy candles is not just a business for me; it’s a passion. Each candle is a labor of love, made with natural, non-toxic ingredients that are not only safe for our families but also kind to our Mother Earth. I am dedicated to using eco-friendly practices in every step of the process, ensuring that the joy these candles bring does not come at the expense of our environment.

What truly drives me is the ability to evoke good feelings and cherished memories through the scents that I conscientiously blend and design. Fragrance has a unique way of connecting us to moments in time—be it a comforting childhood memory or a serene evening spent with loved ones. My hope is that each candle ignites those feelings of nostalgia, warmth, and happiness, creating a sanctuary in your home where you can unwind and find balance.

Ultimately, my mission is about embracing a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. By providing products that inspire relaxation, I aim to empower individuals to celebrate the little pleasures in life. This is what makes my work not just meaningful, but deeply fulfilling.

Anna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was born and grew up in the Philippines, graduated college with degree in Business Administration, and worked in the banking industry for 10 years until I decided to migrate here in the United States. Ever since I was young, I dreamt of owning my own business and I never thought it would come true.

My love and obsession with candles dated back years way before the start of Anberc Candles. Candles captivate me with their ability to infuse spaces with personality and a soothing ambiance. The evocative power of scents is remarkable, evoking cherished memories and fostering a sense of tranquility.

My journey into crafting natural soy candles began as a breathing space from the relentless demands of multiple jobs I had and the challenges of parenting a young daughter starting school. In those hectic times, the simple act of lighting a candle and savoring its gentle, flickering glow, accompanied by its comforting scent, became a cherished ritual that eased my exhaustion and nurtured a calm spirit.

However, creating my own candles evolved beyond a hobby. It became a profound source of healing and inspiration, and turned into a passion.

Inspired by my dear friend who died of cancer, and who encouraged me to follow my passion, I created Anberc Candles in 2018. To pay forward and honor her, I made a special candle – Arlene’s Capriccio – and donate a portion of its sale to the American Cancer Society.

Another inspiration for creating Anberc Candles is to offer a healthier, eco-friendly alternative to the inexpensive, yet toxic paraffin wax candles commonly sold by big brands and retailers. I am deeply concerned about the harmful effects those traditional candles, often filled with carcinogens, can have on both our family’s health and the environment.

Anberc Candle aims to inspire positive emotions and create a sense of well-being. Since the sense of smell is scientifically linked to memory and emotion, I carefully chose fragrances that evoke these uplifting feelings while leaving any space with a sophisticated scent. The blends are gentle, never overpowering, and considerate of those with allergies or sensitivities, making them perfect for self-care routines and relaxation activities.

Aside from our Signature and Seasonal Soy Candle Collections, we also offer our Aromatherapy Candle Collection which is scented with pure therapeutic essential oils and infused with herbs, spices, or botanicals. Other home fragrance products we offer are our Reed Diffusers and Wax Melts.

We also make custom-made candles for parties and gift favors for all occasions, corporate gifts, and private labels. We have also collaborated with other makers to offer items that complement our products, and that are aligned with our brand.

As mentioned, we are dedicated to offering all-natural, healthy, and eco-friendly products that prioritize both your well-being and the environment. Our candles are crafted from 100% pure, renewable soy wax, making them vegan-friendly. We use phthalate-free, paraben-free, and non-toxic fragrances, along with therapeutic essential oils and natural, zinc-free cotton wicks. Our candles contain no additives, dyes, or glitter—just pure candle goodness. Additionally, our packaging is recyclable, our tins and glass jars are reusable, and our labels are made from recycled kraft paper, providing a natural, earthy, and rustic look.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In the beginning, Anberc Candles was just a side hustle, and balancing it with my full time day job, family, and being a mom to a young, active school-aged child was a real challenge. Most days, I was running on just 4-5 hours of sleep, sometimes waking up at 2 or 3 a.m. to pour wax before taking my daughter to school and starting my day job. It was exhausting, but I was determined to push through and never give up.

In November 2019, with my husband’s support, I made the decision to quit my day job and pursue my candle business full-time. I was filled with plans and motivation, but just a few months later, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. This was one of the toughest challenges I’ve faced. In-person markets and events, where I got most of my sales, were suddenly shut down. For over a year, I had to rely solely on online sales and social media, which was incredibly difficult for me. The struggle took a toll on both my mental and physical health, and I began to doubt whether I could continue.

However, through it all, I learned the importance of staying positive. I found a way to appreciate both the hardships and the joys that come with being a crafter and business owner. The journey has been anything but easy, but it has taught me resilience and perseverance.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I was raised by my parents to be nice all the time, helpful, dependable, and kind. Growing up and for the longest time, I found myself constantly saying “yes”. I say yes to extra work, to favors, to plans, and to responsibilities, thinking that by doing so, I’m doing what my parents have taught me.

I think it has also something to do with our Asian culture of being polite and value interpersonal harmony and avoiding offending others. What I didn’t realize was that this habit of saying “yes” all the time was quietly tipping my life out of balance.

At first, it seemed harmless. I believed that saying yes was how I would grow, how I would learn new things, and how I would maintain strong relationships. Especially, when my candle business started to grow, I had to say yes to all the requests and offers. But slowly, I began to feel overwhelmed. My days became packed with obligations that weren’t really aligned with my goals, and I found myself stretched thin, physically and emotionally exhausted. I was constantly running out of time for myself, my own interests, and the things that truly mattered to me. I felt that burnout is creeping in.

I realized that I need to begin the difficult but necessary work of unlearning the automatic “yes” response. At first, I felt uncomfortable, turning things down. I worried that people might think less of me or that I would lose opportunities. But I learned that most people understood. Saying “no” when I truly couldn’t manage something—or when it wasn’t aligned with my priorities and values—didn’t make me unreliable; it made me human.

I’ve also learned that setting boundaries is important to strike a much-needed balance, that balance is not about doing everything-it’s about doing the right things. It’s about being intentional with my time and energy, and understanding that sometimes, saying no is just as valuable as saying yes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anberccandles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anberccandles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anberccandles

Image Credits

Lars Bongalon