Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ana Hoffman. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Ana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

I began making candles for my personal pagan practice. I took things I learned from my grandmother with her folk magick base and the things she taught me about sigil crafting and candle making and began to focus on putting as much intention in those creations. I wanted to create a candle that would basically be an all in one spell candle. Everything, color, scent, herbs, etc, has a correspondence or deeper meaning so by deciding on an intention for the candle I would create a sigil to engrave on the candle, make a candle by choosing the color and oil that would best connect to that intention, carve the sigil into the candle, and then I’d add a ring of herbs to the top of the candle with wax drips holding them in place – again choosing colors based on intention correspondence. I also began carving into the base of the pillar a guarantee to connect to the intended intention and energies whether the candle is lit or not. I began this, as some housing won’t let you burn candles, but as I was creating candles for ritual and magick, so ensuring the intention to connect to those energies even if the candle couldn’t be lit was imperative. The best thing is when I create a candle and it finds its perfect person who is looking for that exact piece to add to their home and practice! Especially when it’s someone who is beginning their spiritual path, finding a candle that will really help them focus and connect means the world to me!

Ana, 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 began creating spiritual implements as part of my own practice. My grandmother had taught me some of her practices and showed me how she would make things for her home and spiritual path. As I went along in my own path, I began making candles to connect to as much intention as I could. I found many times, spell candles would burn quicker than I was looking for, or I could only find an unscented candle when I loved candles scented with essential oils. So I began making pillars I could choose oils and colors that would connect to the intention I was crafting for. Then I began working with sigil crafting which is a way to put a spell or intention into a symbol or piece of art. So I would carve those sigils into my candles to further that intention. After a time I’d begin gifting my candles to family and friends, who would comment how I should try to sell my candles. Sadly, one of the loudest voices in my friend group passed away unexpectedly – they were such an amazing inspiration to me so in their honor I decided to form shadow wick creations. I am so proud of what we have achieved in these last 5 years. We are in 3 metaphysical stores locally and are beginning to branch out into other states. Seeing others connect and resonate with our candles and knowing our pieces are helping others on their journey is beyond words. We have created literal lights to help guide others as our friend had guided us…doing our friend that honor in their passing is such an incredible blessing! Every candle is created to increase focus and power to the intention specific for that piece. We have incorporated a guarantee for energies to connect whether lit or not so even if you can’t light the candle the power is there for you. We also include a write up of intent, oils used, and herbs used so the buyer knows exactly what energy and items are used in their creation. Making sure our customer has a candle that connects to their intent as much as possible is the most important thing at shadow wick!

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I think the fact I use the candles I sell speaks to our customers and has helped build our reputation. Our candles are created by skills that have been handed down through the family. Having that connection in a spiritual implement I think is felt by our customers and patrons. We also love being out in our community, live events and meeting our customers is key! I love getting to meet and talk to those who use our candles. I love hearing their stories and helping them find a new piece to continue their journey. Just being real authentic I think speaks volumes to others.

How do you keep your team’s morale high?

I think putting your money where your mouth is, is crucial. Delegating is important but when the rubber meets the road, I am there creating pillars and making sure the energy, time, and focus is being put into every piece. I like to be someone who leads by example and I think that helps the team, seeing the owner putting in the time and effort in every piece, knowing I am dedicated to the process, and having that pride in every new step as the owner and it isn’t just something I want pushed out for a buck. Creating spiritual implements should be felt and energy is used in every creation. My team appreciates my standards and seeing me strive to ensure those standards are met. And I always try my best to let them know just how much I appreciate their time and focus to that process as well.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Instagram.com/shadowwickcreations
• Facebook: Facebook.com/shadowwickcreations

Image Credits
All photos taken by Ana Hoffman.