We recently connected with Ashley Kushner and have shared our conversation below.

Ashley , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Well it started with an idea, that we would be just a pop up metaphysical shop that would travel to Arts & Music festivals and local events. That sure has changed a ton since this all started in 2019. Then the pandemic hit. Our pop up shop that was at a local boutique would close doors. Before I also knew it, I was not only a Mother of two, I was now a Mother of three. But I was also hit with another curve ball, my youngest would be born with a form of Spina Bifida known as myelomeningocele. We really didn’t know how that was going to affect our family, let alone the business. My Dad was also diagnosed with Stage Four Cancer during the same time and was not local. With the pandemic, being pregnant and high risk at that, things slowed down for a bit. My youngest ended up staying in the NICU for some time after having two surgeries and my Dad lost the battle to cancer. My candle making was every so often at this point. But I found peace in making them. In the last six months, it’s picked back up. Every single time I step in the kitchen to make them, the outcome of them makes my heart happy. My vision and my mission is progressing into a bigger dream. Next month, we are donating a portion of an exclusive candle to a Suicide Awareness Foundation. This will be a way to give back! Also, it will be in honor of my Dad. He was a huge Suicide Awareness Speaker back in my home state. He spoke on college campuses, a large yearly event, and even has his story published in a book. But that’s just the tip of the ice berg for what I want to do.

Eventually, I will save up enough money and open a store front. At this store front there will be all sorts of different furniture and rainbow wooden floors and it will be a safe space. A safe space that has all sorts of Family oriented events during the day. Speakers with poetry and music at night. It will have my candles on the shelves, art to be made, and delicious coffee and tea served. Snacks too of course.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I make candles in the center and heart of my home.., which is my kitchen. I become a chemist in this space and blend all sorts of essential oils to create beautiful and unique fragrances. I use all natural and vegan soy wax. This means my candles are made with no additives or harmful chemicals or products. Even my dyes are vegan! All my candles are made in small batches and not mass made like the candles you can purchase from stores.

Like I mentioned before, I am a Mama of three. This is another big reason why I use the safest products for my candles and do tons of research. I wouldn’t want to make anything that would be harmful or not burn in my own home.

There’s always something new and creative coming out. Every month there’s at least one new candle to be launched which we call our Full Moon Line. Then of course, seasonal and holiday options. There’s a few exclusive year round candles that we always have. I’ll tell you my current favorite which we just changed its name. This one you won’t forget! It’s our Witches Brew! Let me tell you why! Wake up in the morning and brew a cup of good ol’ coffee and it smells up your entire kitchen? This candle does exactly that! Not only is it our coffee candle but it’s mixed with sugar and vanilla with a swirl of caramel. It will give you a good burst of energy! May even trick one or two thinking you are brewing a fresh pot of coffee!

Want to know something new? I offer Custom Creations! Looking for something particular that you can’t find on the store shelf? Have allergies? Or maybe you have a special event like a wedding, baby shower, birthday, etc coming up and want to create something super exclusive for it. You can pick everything from the vessel, color of wax and blend a particular fragrance! I can tell you exactly what and how all of my candles are made. *It does take 2-3 weeks of processing for proper candle curing time.

I am pretty much a one woman owned business, with the help of my spouse from time to time. We ship anywhere in the United States.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

We went from originally thinking we would be able to be vendors and travel at Arts & Music festivals and local events. To having an amazing opportunity to be at a local shop. To the pandemic hitting. Then learning how to navigate the online market. So far with having children at home and our youngest being diagnosed with multiple things making her medically complex. Have a lot of doctor appointments and therapy appointments. Then our middle being a toddler. We have really learned the online market and selling online has become a norm for us. Eventually we’d like to get back into the public. But for now, this works and I can do it on my own time.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

At one point, we tried Etsy. That was a huge bombshell for us as candle makers. There is a ton of competition there and a business like ours, it can easily get over looked.

I had been doing live events on our Facebook page and that has been working. I would go live once or twice a month and sell live there. It has been working for the most part and we have gained likes and sales.

But I am super proud to say with the great support of our customers, we just launched our website! I also had a few really great friends that have turned into family really push and help me to make this happen! We officially sell there now.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.twinflamesbymidnightowl.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twin_flamesbymidnightowl/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TwinFlamesbyMidnightOwl