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

Alright, Charlee thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Ember and Ash Studios was founded on the idea that one can indulge themselves without harming their body. A lot of candles are made with waxes, wicks, and fragrance oils that are hazardous and even cancerous to our lungs – as well as being harmful to animals. There are also tons of allergens that can be found in candles and make it almost impossible for people with allergies to enjoy fragrances in their homes.

I’m one of those people. I have had severe allergies ever since I was little and they’ve only gotten worse. I actually have to get medical assistance because they can be so debilitating. Because of my allergies, I’ve done a lot of research on how to cut down on any materials that could harm me or simply make my environment a problem. I soon found out about all of the nasty bits in candles and decided to remove them from my space. However, I really love having a fragrant home and that’s why Ember and Ash Studios came about. I started creating candles for myself, friends and family found out I was making them, and then I created my own shop.

Charlee, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I kind of answered this in the previous question haha.

I really got into candlemaking once I found out that anyone can try it. I watched so many videos of popular candle makers, read about the parts of candles you should avoid, and tested all kinds of oils and containers. I learned that cotton wicks are one of the cleanest burning materials you can include in a candle, soy wax is cleaner and burns longer than paraffin wax (which is kind of bad for you), and what oils are considered clean and which ones need to be used in moderation.

I’m really proud of my candles because they are one of the cleanest on the market in Kansas. There aren’t many businesses like mine in my area, so it’s really fun when people find out about me and want to learn more. I love discussing how my candles compare to popular brands and why mine are better (shameless plug). I just really want people to know that they can still bring amazing scents into their homes and create their desired atmosphere with a cleaner, healthier option.

I think the other thing I’m most proud of is that I’m a one-woman show. I do all of the candle making, content creating, marketing, selling, and customer service. Every little detail that goes into a business falls under my charge. I’ve always loved the idea of coming up with something and then creating it. This business is just one way I can do that and then share it with others.

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

Pop up shops and market days are one of the best things to happen to my business. Selling a scent-based product online is pretty hard. People don’t want to just buy an item and possibly end up hating it. This is where in-person events save the day. I get to set up a cute little booth in my town and talk to so many people. They stick their noses in my candles and immediately decide if they want them or not. I can’t even tell you how many people have come to me and told me they’ve heard about what I was doing, but never had the interest until now. They always walk away with a candle or two (or more). There’s just nothing better than being in person and having a one on one experience with customers.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

I do sell on an ecommerce platform. I recently switched my catalogue over to Shopify. This was a big move for me with limited income. It’s proved beneficial however thanks to their live customer views, suggested marketing tactics, and the data they can provide. I have learned so much just by simply switching to Shopify. The fees associated aren’t my favorite but they are far better than a platform I was previously on – and definitely worth the cost.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emberandashstudios.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopemberandashstudios
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/emberandashstudios

Image Credits
All images belong to me (Charlee Hill)