Today we’d like to introduce you to Jesse & Tamara Furgason
Hi Jesse & Tamara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Our story began with a simple idea rooted in a shared passion for design, ambiance, and sustainability. Tamara and I, co-founders of Everlasting Candle Co., first met in Australia during university. Tamara’s background as a Dr public health and my entrepreneurial spirit blended into an unexpected business partnership. We didn’t start off with the idea of revolutionizing candlelight—our journey began organically.
After moving to Canada, we started hosting dinner parties, where we experimented with self-made oil-burning candles. Our friends were captivated by their elegance and simplicity, and that initial spark of interest became the foundation of what would become Everlasting Candle Co.
From our humble beginnings working out of our garage, we’ve grown into a multimillion-dollar company. Today, Everlasting Candle Co. candles are featured in over 825 boutiques across North America and Australia, offering a clean, scent-free, reusable candle experience like no other. Every step of the way, we’ve prioritized sustainability, quality, and innovation, which is why we’re proud to offer a patent-pending product that stands apart in the industry.
What started as a small, personal passion has turned into a movement, driven by the belief that candlelight should be timeless, reusable, and eco-friendly. We’re honored to see how Everlasting Candle Co. has lit up homes, gatherings, and special moments across the globe.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to building Everlasting Candle Co. has been anything but smooth, and honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way. Every challenge we faced became an opportunity to learn and grow. In the early days, working out of our garage, we were juggling the demands of building a business while also navigating life as new parents. Balancing personal and professional life has always been a unique challenge, especially with our son, Ayden, being so young when we started. We now have three children, time has flown by!
One of our most significant struggles was getting the world to understand and embrace the concept of a reusable, smoke-free candle. Traditional candles have been around for centuries, so educating consumers on why our steel candles were a better, more sustainable alternative took time.
Navigating the supply chain and managing rapid growth presented another set of challenges. Moving from a small-scale operation to having our candles in hundreds of boutiques required a steep learning curve in logistics and inventory management and manufacturing.
But through every challenge, we’ve stayed true to our mission and vision. The struggles have shaped us, forced us to innovate, and ultimately helped us build something we’re incredibly proud of. The bumps in the road weren’t setbacks—they were stepping stones.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At Everlasting Candle Co., we specialize in offering a unique, eco-conscious candle experience through our patent-pending steel candles. What makes us truly distinctive is that our candles are reusable and smoke-free, burning cleanly with our Pristine Oil®. We aim to provide a scentless, soot-free ambiance, allowing people to enjoy the beauty of candlelight without the waste or mess that comes with traditional wax candles.
One of the things we’re most proud of is our commitment to creating positive social impact. We’ve partnered with the Disability Association of Canada, ensuring that we provide fair and meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. This collaboration is a core part of our mission to not only assemble beautiful, sustainable products but also give back to the community in a way that aligns with our values.
What sets us apart is our dedication to both aesthetics and ethics. Our candles are designed to be timeless, blending sustainability with elegance, and our customers appreciate the intentionality behind every aspect of what we do. It’s been humbling to see how our focus on quality and innovation has resonated with so many people.
We’re driven by more than just the desire to create beautiful products. At the heart of our business is the belief that we can make a difference—whether it’s through sustainability, social responsibility, or simply helping people create special moments in their everyday lives.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The most important quality that has driven our success is persistence, paired with a deep sense of purpose. Building Everlasting Candle Co. has been a journey filled with challenges—whether it was educating the market on a new type of candle or navigating rapid growth. Through it all, persistence has been our compass, keeping us moving forward despite setbacks and uncertainties.
We’re also rooted in a strong sense of purpose. Our mission to offer a sustainable, reusable candle isn’t just about product innovation; it’s about contributing to a larger conversation around mindful consumption and environmental responsibility. We believe that every decision we make should align with that purpose, whether it’s in our design process or in our partnerships.
That combination of persistence and purpose has allowed us to stay focused on the long-term vision, even when the short-term path wasn’t always clear. It’s what keeps us pushing boundaries, staying innovative, and, ultimately, succeeding.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.everlastingcandleco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everlastingcandle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everlastingcandleco/
