We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Krista Windon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Krista, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?
The name ‘Hippie’s Homemade Candles’ is deeply personal and rooted in my love for my older brother, who had a profound impact on my life. He passed away after a long battle with cancer, a journey that began when I was just 14 and ended when I was 22. He was an artist and musician, with a kind heart and a calm, soulful presence. His creativity, love, and wisdom shaped who I am today, teaching me so much about life, love, and staying true to myself.
When I started this business 12 years ago, naming it after him felt like the perfect way to honor his spirit. ‘Hippie’ was a nickname that captured his free-spirited nature and his love for the beauty in the world. Through this company, I carry him with me in everything I do—he’s always in my soul. Every candle I make is like a little reflection of his light, spreading love and warmth to others, just as he did for everyone who knew him.
Krista, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m in my late 30s, a mother, and a wife who treasures the time I spend with my family, being in nature, and catching up with friends. My home is my sanctuary—a place where peace, comfort, happiness, and a sense of safety come together. I’m passionate about creating a natural and nurturing environment, which is why I focus on using clean ingredients and plant-based products in every aspect of my life.
In addition to running my business, I’ve been a massage therapist for over 17 years. I have a holistic approach to life and deeply admire the body’s natural ability to heal itself. This perspective carries over into everything I do, including my candle-making. I believe in surrounding ourselves with elements that promote well-being, and my goal is to bring that sense of balance and serenity to others through my work.
My journey with Hippie’s Homemade Candles started while I was working full-time as a massage therapist. At the time, we used conventional candles in the massage room, and they often triggered my asthma and allergies. I began researching candles and quickly realized how many contained harmful ingredients. That’s when I discovered the benefits of using plant-based alternatives.
I decided to try making my own candles at home—at first, just for personal use and to create a healthier environment in my massage room. But what began as a solution to a problem quickly turned into a passion. I spent about six months perfecting my recipe, and when I finally felt ready, I applied to my first farmers market. To my surprise and excitement, I nearly sold out! That moment showed me the potential for something greater, and it marked the official beginning of Hippie’s Homemade Candles and my farmers market era.
My candles are made with soy wax, plant-based botanical oils, essential oils, and cotton wicks. They’re crafted with care to be as clean and natural as possible. Mason jars are my signature look—a tribute to my North Georgia roots—but I also offer a variety of other vessels to fit any decor style.
Nature is my biggest inspiration when it comes to scents. I love bringing the beauty and healing power of nature into the home, which is why I often decorate my candles with organic dried flowers and healing crystals. It’s all about creating that earthy, down-home feeling and making a space feel grounded and serene.
Beyond candles, I also make natural, non-toxic reed diffusers, room sprays, wax melts, and other products that enhance a home’s beauty and calmness. My goal is always to integrate nature and healing into everyday spaces.
What I’m most proud of is that this business has become so much more than just making candles. My goal from the beginning was to create products that bring joy to others and to share my story through my work. Over the years, I’ve been open about my struggles—infertility, adopting my daughter, divorce, losing my brother and father, finding myself, healing, and rediscovering love. These experiences have shaped me, and sharing them has allowed me to connect with my customers and followers on a deeper level.
My customers and followers are my source of connection and healing. I’ve traveled across states to meet them, and each one has left a mark on my heart. I cherish them more than anything because they keep me going. It’s more than just my candles—they’ve created a community that I’m incredibly thankful for.
This business has given me a support system, a creative outlet, and the freedom to stay home with my daughter and husband, so I never miss what matters most. It’s truly magical to create something I love in my backyard, surrounded by nature and love, and share it with the world.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I’ve been fortunate to have a very smooth journey for much of my business’s early years, which I believe was divine timing that allowed me to grow my name and customer base. That foundation was critical in helping me navigate the challenges that came later.
One of my biggest challenges was definitely COVID in 2020. My business was built on farmers markets and personal, one-on-one sales, but when those markets shut down, I had to pivot quickly to selling exclusively through my website. While the website was already established, it hadn’t been a primary focus until then. This shift taught me how vital online sales are to my business’s success.
At the same time, my supply chain was completely disrupted—jars, wax, and so many other materials were suddenly hard to find. I had to adapt, be resourceful, and remain committed to my values of quality and sustainability.
When markets reopened, I was faced with another unexpected challenge: a surge of new candle makers who had started their businesses during COVID. After years of being the only candle vendor in many of my markets, I suddenly found myself surrounded by competitors. It was a humbling and emotional experience, especially as I was rotated out of markets where I’d been a loyal participant for eight years.
Through it all, I focused on what makes my business unique—my story, my connection to my customers, and my joy for what I create. I also made a conscious effort to support these new candle makers, understanding that they were following their dreams just like I had.
Ultimately, these challenges taught me resilience, balance, and gratitude. They motivated me to stay true to myself, appreciate the time I get to spend with my family, and embrace the journey of learning and growth that comes with running a small business. It’s been an incredible, transformative experience.
Any fun sales or marketing stories?
Some of my most memorable marketing risks have definitely been my out-of-state events. These are a big investment—not just the booth fees, but also the travel, lodging, and all the other expenses that come with it. You never know if the crowd at these events will be receptive to you.
One time, I found myself in a huge convention center filled with big-name brands, factory-made products, and HSN vendors. There I was, with my handmade, natural candles crafted in my backyard, sitting in the middle of it all. I felt like a needle in a haystack! But I just laughed my way through those four days. I made enough sales to make the trip worth it, and the connections I made with customers who were thrilled to stumble upon me were priceless. They loved the laid-back, no-pressure vibe of my booth, where I was happily making labels and welcoming them in with a smile.
Another unforgettable experience was setting up shop at a flea market in the early days of my business. I thought my mason jar candles would be a perfect fit for an antique farmer’s market vibe, but it turned out to be more of a garage sale atmosphere. People loved the candles but balked at my prices, with some even telling me I was out of my mind! It was like stepping into an alternate dimension where no one valued handmade, high-quality products. I never went back, but I laugh about it now and appreciate the lessons it taught me about knowing my audience.
These experiences remind me to take risks, embrace the unexpected, and find joy in every step of the journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hippieshomemadecandles.com
- Instagram: @hippieshomemadecandles
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/hippieshomemadecandles
Image Credits
pictures by “portraits tampa”
www.portraitstampa.com
@portraitstampa – Instagram