Today we’d like to introduce you to Mode Zhao

Hi Mode, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

Mode Korvidae emerged from my deeply personal journey of overcoming hospitalization, where I faced the loss of language skills and memory. Seeking solace and a platform to share my struggles, I established this candle and home goods company.

My journey into candle-making began in 2019, a year after my hospitalization. I had always wanted to express myself through design, and candles became my chosen medium. There’s something uniquely special about watching a flame dance and experiencing the meditative sensation of sitting in front of a candle. During this time, I encountered significant challenges in language processing, communication, and daily functioning. With unwavering support, I persevered, gradually regaining the ability to connect with others and care for myself independently.

In 2020, I decided to incorporate mental health into my candle designs. I wanted to address the honest and often difficult aspects of mental health, bringing forward concepts that are usually hidden. After eight months of effort, I created meaningful, beautiful, and minimal designs that spoke to these hidden struggles.

By 2021, with the support of investors, I established an LLC and began taking pre-orders. This funding allowed me to purchase wholesale materials and start production, with every candle being hand-poured and made to order. That spring, Mode Korvidae celebrated the successful launch of our first pre-sale release, thanks to the support of cherished family and friends.

My journey of rebuilding has been a continuous process spanning five years, reinforcing the importance of community and fueling my drive to create something meaningful for those facing wellness difficulties.

In 2022, despite initial struggles with online sales, I found success through pop-up markets. Some of my most successful events were with organizations like co-mrkt, which supports early-stage AAPI creators by offering events free of charge to vendors. Although summer markets saw modest success, winter participation in AAPI-centered markets finally brought tangible results and connected us with a community that wholeheartedly embraced our creations.

Today, Mode Korvidae stands as a resilient and thriving company, yet we still struggle regularly to reach wider audiences and make consistent sales. Despite these challenges, we continue to surpass our own expectations and embrace a remarkable journey of progress, driven by our commitment to mental health and community.

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?

The journey with Mode Korvidae has been anything but smooth, marked by personal recovery challenges, creative dilemmas, financial hurdles, marketing struggles, and logistical obstacles.

One of the most significant struggles was my personal recovery after hospitalization. Losing my language skills and memory was an immense hurdle. Rebuilding these abilities while trying to start a business was daunting, slow, and often frustrating, requiring a great deal of patience and support from those around me.

Creating candle designs that incorporated mental health themes presented another layer of difficulty. Striking a balance between creating beautiful, minimalistic products and conveying deep, often painful, aspects of mental health was crucial. Extensive research, numerous design iterations, and constant reflection were necessary to ensure our concepts resonated with our audience.

We were initially very fortunate with funding, as friends stepped in as investors, and pre-sales were great, providing the necessary capital for purchasing wholesale materials and starting production. However, sales immediately dipped afterward, creating financial stress and uncertainty in our early operations.

Marketing and reaching our audience have been persistent challenges. Despite our passion and unique product offering, breaking through the noise in a saturated market was difficult. Online sales were sluggish initially, and it wasn’t until we began participating in pop-up markets that we started seeing tangible results. Even then, the success was inconsistent, with some events barely covering our costs.

Navigating the logistical aspects of running a business presented another set of struggles. Managing inventory, coordinating production schedules, and dealing with supply chain disruptions required us to learn and adapt quickly to meet customer demands and maintain quality.

While these struggles have been great teachers, being a neurodivergent individual meant that I often wasn’t patient, wasn’t strong, and didn’t enjoy the process because it was so painful. The journey was fraught with emotional and mental challenges, and there were many moments when the weight of it all felt overwhelming.

However, these experiences have also reinforced the importance of community, patience, and perseverance, even when they were hard to embody. Every challenge faced has strengthened our resolve and commitment to our mission. Today, while obstacles still exist, we approach them with a stronger, more experienced team, continuously learning and evolving.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

Mode Korvidae specializes in creating handcrafted candles and home goods that thoughtfully integrate themes of mental health. Our mission is to make mental illness less lonely by bringing forward concepts that are often hidden, offering products that are both aesthetically pleasing and deeply meaningful.

Mode personally handles all aspects of design, formulation, handcrafting, and customer experience. The unique designs blend minimalism with emotional depth. Each candle is meticulously hand-poured and crafted to represent various aspects of the mental health journey through artisanal custom-blended fragrances. Labels feature titles like “Panic Attack,” “Deep Cries,” and “Breakthrough,” with short poems that reflect transformative experiences. The products resonate deeply with our audience, providing a sense of connection and understanding.

We have an unwavering commitment to authenticity and mental health representation. By delving into the complexities of mental health, we create products that serve as both beautiful decor and powerful reminders of the connected experiences we all can have. Our candles are designed not just as items but as conversation starters and sources of comfort.

I am most proud of the positive impact our products have had on the mental health community. Hearing stories from individuals who have found solace and understanding through our candles is incredibly fulfilling and validates our mission. These moments remind us why we started Mode Korvidae and motivate us to keep going despite the challenges.

Pop-up markets and local events have proven to be the most effective channels for connecting with our customers. These events allow us to share our story in a more intimate setting, with face-to-face interactions and immediate feedback that have been invaluable.

Mode Korvidae aims to stand out for its authentic integration of mental health themes into beautifully crafted products. Our dedication to this cause, combined with the personal and emotional depth of our designs, makes us a unique and impactful presence in the space.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?

Design, art, and really nerdy stuff. I love philosophy, physics, tech and thinking about all sorts of stimulating ideas-whether complex, simple, or universal. And as much as I am a homebody and possibly agoraphobic, I also find a lot of peace in wild, random, remote adventures with my best friends. It makes me happy to experience a sense of freedom where there isn’t pressure on me to perform or serve in the moment. I want to take care of those all over and around me as their safety, health, and joy of self-empowerment mean the most to me.

Pricing:

• Candles – $37, $27, $20
• Perfumes – $40
• Linen Sprays – $18
• Aura Mists – $20

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.modekorvidae.com
• Instagram: @modekorvidae