We were lucky to catch up with Christie Abel recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Christie , thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission is to share the love of God through my candles. Not only does my design inspiration come from the Bible. But I receive downloads and direction supernaturally through the Holy Spirit. My focus is also to create my candles with God given components only. Like all natural beeswax and essential oil. I work hard to avoid anything synthetic. Upon starting this business it has taught me that God does care and want to be involved in the little things in our lives if we allow him in. Even down to the candles we use. My mission is simple; create beautiful air detoxifying candles that radiate the glory of God. While also truly loving and caring for my customers. Praying for them and giving back to those in need.

Christie , 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 am happily married mother of 3+1 boys.
I am a domestic abuse survivor. I am a non practicing holistic nutritionist. My knowledge in that field has made it so I stayed clear of most candles. And I missed burning candles in my home but I have struggled to find natural candles that fit my standards. I have always wanted to make my own beeswax candles because their ability to actually purify the air. One day I was reading my Bible in the book of John the story about Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with perfume that filled the whole room with its aroma. Then I had a thought “I wish I could smell what that was like”. It clicked “what if I made a candle scented with the same oil Mary is using in story” Around that same time I had been praying for a side hustle idea so I could do markets with my friend who had also just started a small business. So the ideas just started flooding in from there.

Most of my customers that find me share my concerns of the dangers of synthetic candles and also share the struggle to find luxury all natural replacements. . Then I have a regular clients who enjoy the creativity of my designs and share my excitement in experiencing Gods word in this way.

I have had boutique owners tell me that they have never scene such high quality unique candles. I believe mine are so unique because I do everything myself. Since I use essential oil. I hand blend and mix every scent. I use the Bible as inspiration in my blends so they are very unique. And my candle names are also original. I design my own labels from scratch. Then I add some sort of artistic flare to the top of every candle to tie it all together. Every candle carries a message of Hope, Love and beauty. As well as aesthetically pleasing.

I just want to share Gods goodness with the world in a unique fun way. While also sewing into my community. I am also involved with Middleschool ministry where I encourage teens to use their gifts to start a business. As well as teach them how to be young candle makers themselves.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Brand loyalty is extremely important to me. My customers know this because when they reach out to me they can count on me to make any issues right. I take special orders and work hard to fill their request. . Like right now for example I am actually taking a rest season in my business where my stock is low. I am receiving inquires from return customers that are wanting candles for gifts. So I am working hard durning my rest season to fill those request from my regular clients. I also share regularly loyalty discounts and put surprise freebies in their orders.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

A lesson I really had to learn as a business owner is that humbleness goes a long way. Early on when I my feedback was amazing and then I went to a market that my pricy scripture based candles weren’t received very well. It was really hurtful honestly. When you pour your heart and soul into something and people hate your product or don’t understand it. It stings!!

God revealed to me it was my pride that was taking the hit. And that that needed to go if I was going to be successful and love my customers how I was supposed to. As well as stay sane. So now I don’t let a bad market define me as person. I re group with God or sometimes it’s just God allowing me to be slow because it gives me time to pour into those customers that do show up. I have regularly prayed for people at markets. I have made connections, shared story’s hope. Our just given someone and opportunity to be heard. I never look at people like a number or a dollar sign. But as person that I have divinely encountered for a purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Beesanctifiedcandle
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beesanctifiedcandleco/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/beesanctifiedcandleco/