Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Reisinger
Hi Alicia, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Where It All Started
Wax Buffalo’s story started in 2014 in our founder’s kitchen. Alicia Reisinger had a passion for creating beautifully imperfect pure soy candles for her family and would do this late at night with a whiskey in hand, or a very nice glass of wine. As Alicia’s passion grew, so did the world of hand-poured candles throughout America, and it only made sense to set up shop and start selling the beauties locally.
The business took off, and now Wax Buffalo Pure Soy Candle Co. can be found all over the world, coast to coast here in America and locally at two beautiful Wax Buffalo retail stores in the Historic Haymarket and now, on Prescott Ave.
Est. Circa Oct 2014
First opened for business in October 2014 as an online e-commerce store, Wax Buffalo’s popularity grew. Alicia opened her first retail store in 2017 sharing the space with a friend, and quickly outgrew the space. On Mother’s Day weekend, May 2019 Wax Buffalo opened its flagship location in the Haymarket with lines around the block waiting for the grand opening.
After three years of incredible loyalty from Wax Buffalo’s customers and a steady upward trajectory of growth, Wax Buffalo announced a second location opening in late fall of 2022 on Prescott in the ever-popular shopping district in the near south neighborhood of Lincoln.
Fast Forward To Now
Wax Buffalo’s retail adventure continued to grow even during challenging economic times during COVID and has proven its ability to thrive. It has built a brand and business model that is scalable and with The Candle Lab replicable in multiple and diverse markets throughout the United States. Much has changed since the opening of the first location, but the one thing that hasn’t changed is its mission: To continue on the path of developing a successful, national brand, provide unmatched support to our franchise partners, and bring the magic of the Pinot’s Palette experience to consumers nationwide. With technology being a key influencer in today’s customer decision-making.
Wax Buffalo is known in the community as a trusted collaborative partner, a launching pad for new and upcoming entrepreneurs, and a place to visit, dream, and feel inspired, through retail therapy, maker therapy, or through its integrity to bring new and innovative products and spaces to our great state.
My Personal Story:
My first baby girl was born with a cleft lip and palate. I think the shock of her birth really forced me to reflect on what was important in my life, at the time I was traveling the world as a TV producer and on-air host for a television show called “Footnote”. Navy, my daughter, turned my world upside down in a really beautiful way. Her birth forced me to pause and be still with her as we worked through her treatment, surgery, and ultimately her healing. In the process, I slowly found candles again. Something I had loved as a child, the art of candle making. It was a great way to center myself, re-align with my own spiritual journey, and make something safe and beautiful for my family.
Slowly I began to make them for friends and a close friend encouraged me to try selling them. That was nine years ago and we are now in small curated boutiques all across the country. Staying small batch, hand poured and close to our origin we are slowly growing our brand and meeting new folks who believe in safe, natural products for their homes that also bring an element of style to their modernly curated spaces.
Our main mission is to create beautifully imperfect handmade products for the modern home. Our second mission is to create a space of collaboration and an independent work ethic for a team of incredible women seeking to work differently.
I realized that to find a balance of work and play and care and love was the ultimate goal. I had created that for myself with this tiny brand and as we started to grow, I looked towards others that think with a similar perspective. Women who have these beautiful dreams and lives and in this little space we encourage each other. We collaborate and push each other and we laugh. We laugh a lot.
I feel very grateful to be living this simple perfect dream and sharing it with those around me who also find beauty in small curated dreams.
Thanks for being a part of this story with us! I love hearing all of your stories as you share with me the memories our candles evoke within you! So many hugs my dears
xoxo.
alicia*
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
running a small biz always comes with bumps.
right now our biggest one, is that folks are just not spending money like they were 12 months ago.
navigating that is rough, when you have a staff and storefronts to take care of.
this is a link to a post I did about 7 months back. it’s tough out there for all of us right now.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C0UD-FrObGU/
the copy under:
The voice over of total defeat agains the happy beautiful moments that make up candle land. It’s a picture honestly of so many small businesses right now. It’s gorgeous and then it’s crying alone in a cold car for a few minutes.
I recorded this in my car literally moments after hanging up with the credit card company a few days ago.
It’s kinda raw and vulnerable. sorry.
I usually am. ;)
I had also just found out about two of my small biz friends closing their shops… and then a few hours before, a NYC reporter called me – ME… alicia reisinger in lincoln nebraska… to get my take on how small businesses were holding up this season.
And I was like… honestly….
✨But✨ on the eve of this event, I can’t help think about what tomorrow means for all the small business besties hanging with us tomorrow. The way you show up, lincoln… it’s the reason our community can create these dreams, shops, restaurants, bars, coffee shops! The heart and soul of LNK is small business dreams and those that support, the sponsors, the humans shopping, the sharing and caring that happens in this town is UNMATCHED!
I believe this event was put on my heart for a reason!
And it makes it feel even more special somehow.
Also I think maybe we could be more like Captain Planet than America. Fits! 😂🥰
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water… I always forget the last one.
Small Biz Babes.
WE GOT THIS!!
And I love you deeply.
Now… forever… whatever the future looks like.
xoxo.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Who We Are
Wax Buffalo Pure Soy Candle Co. is a beloved woman-owned home goods brand nestled in the heart of the Midwest. Our mission is simple yet profound: to create beautifully imperfect small batch, hand made products for the modern home.
What Makes Wax Buffalo Special?
Let us tell you:
100% Domestically Sourced Soy Wax: We take pride in using soy wax sourced right here in the USA.
Premium Blend of Plant-Based and Phthalate-Free Fragrances: Our fragrances are ethically sourced, man-made, and free of phthalates.
Small Batch Production: Every candle we create is carefully handcrafted in small batches to ensure quality.
Hand Poured in Lincoln, Nebraska: Our hometown is where the magic happens, and each candle is poured with love by our very own team. Absolutely none of our production process is outsourced.
Beautifully Imperfect: We embrace imperfection because we know it’s where the true beauty lies
The Power of Scent
Scent has the remarkable ability to rekindle cherished memories. Whether it’s the warmth of a campfire, the exhilaration of falling in love with your best friend, or the serenity of a winter forest stroll, a scent can trigger the most beautiful memories. Wax Buffalo understands this power, which is why we meticulously blend the purest American-made soy wax with fine phthalate-free fragrances and essential oils. The result? A creamy mixture that we pour over a clean-burning cotton wick, all nestled in the dreamiest vessels we can find. Light a Wax Buffalo candle and rediscover the magic in your own story.
Our Promise To You
We’re dedicated to creating products that are not only clean but also safe and sustainable. Our products are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free. If we wouldn’t burn it in our own homes, we wouldn’t want you to either.
GOOD FOR ALL | CURATED SCENTS | REUSABLE GLASS VESSELS
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Thanks for listening to our story and learning a little bit about Candle Land. And make sure you’re out there supporting small right now! Use your money to vote for the places you WANT TO STAY in your community. It’s important! xoxo.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://waxbuffalo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waxbuffalo/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waxbuffalo/
