We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cavelle Wilson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Cavelle, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Our mission is to bring harmony and calm to one’s space through fragrance. I suffered from severe depression and anxiety since 2004. I found comfort in the arts – specifically sculpting and would light a candle during when my days felt congested & heavy to navigate.

The candle I bought was the subtle reminder that brought comfort, warmth and a sense of calm to my sacred space—my home—especially while I sculpted in art therapy.

It was important for me to have an outlet that allowed me to be creative again after having a stroke at 39. So, I reinvested in myself in 2022 after the passing of my grandfather (Winter ‘20) + my mother (Summer ‘21).

Scent is so important to any space. It can evoke many emotions + calls us to be centred at times. So, I invite my audience to restore their calm that allows them to feel safe; whether it’s during your darkest hour or re/investing in your practicing ritual.

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.

Before candle making, I was a self taught branding/ web designer, as well as a part time as a Wine Enthusiast for a well known wine store in North America. As it turns out, life took a nasty turn, I suffered from a stroke in Spring 2019 at the age of 39 and pulled back on being or doing anything creative. I spent the better part of pre-Covid, rebuilding myself mentally + physically—even still today as I’m managing my CRPS from the stroke.

Since I was already an avid candle buyer, it made sense to create my own. I took a deep dived into my research on candle making and watching other makers hone their craft. I was intrigued by the calming process and was determined to not let my condition define me + just start crafting.

Naming my business Inhëyl stems from the saying, “pause and smell the roses”. An art facilitator noticed that I would hold my breath during a photography session at a well known cherry blossom park in Toronto. It’s now understood that it was PTSD I was experiencing.

During COVID, I spent time building my brand.

inhëyl candle co. is a Canadian, Black woman owned, intimate candle boutique located in the heart of Toronto, Canada. Our intention is to bring harmony to your space. All of our candles are hand poured into small batches with soy wax, paraben + phthalate free fragrant oils with cotton wicks into glass, tin and concrete vessels meant to be reused.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I feel like my whole life is about resilience and quiet strength. After many years in on and off therapy, I happily say, I survived 5 lifetimes before the age of 40. Sadly, my innocence was taken at the age of 7 or 8 after being sexually assaulted. That experience led to my first knowledge of attempted unaliving at 14. I found a lot of solace in writing poetry and school because it kept me safe and my mind fresh and active. At 25, my sense of security was also compromised after being choked, kicked and punched. So much so that leaving my home for something as simple as grocery shopping felt unsafe. Life became challenging, so I attempted again at 32 with a plan. I was gifted the role of godmother awhile back and I knew I needed to survive for her and my other nieces and nephews. Life took another turn and offered a stroke. In retrospect and humbly, the one thing that I couldn’t control, kept me alive. In lieu of being depressed, I acknowledge my feelings and try to treat every day as a celebration and gift. Hopefully this extends to my craft of candle making.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Local markets. After being in the retail sector for 15 years, interacting with people and listening to their stories about lost loved ones or sharing my story has been an honour within itself. It reminds me that I am not just making novelty items, but offering an experience or reminder with each collection.

Although exciting to connect, my capacity is 1-2 markets per month for now. As per my doctor, I still have a mass in brain that may or may not lead to another stroke. This means I depend on friends and relatives to drive with enough notice.

My other favourite thing about markets are the – inhëyl reactions. It’s the way customers light up or tweak their heads to the side. Always priceless and proves I’m on the right path

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopinheylcandle.ca
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shop.inheylcandleco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/shopinheyl

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me