We recently connected with Jessica Robey and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

I have always been surrounded by strong women who I thought of when thinking of a name for my candle business. My mother, always told me to speak into existence what I want/need. Her being a medium/ Reiki master she taught me about chakras, crystals, and herbs throughout my life. My Granny was who introduced me to candles. We would burn them mixing waxes to create our own. Both of them have been major impacts on wanting the best for myself and knowing that I am a product of strong, courageous, women.

From that birthed what I like to call Emiline’s Divine Candles. Emiline was my Granny’s middle name and Divine from what your divine destiny is and what you can make it as my mother has taught me.

Jessica, 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?

My name is Jess (she/her), from Baltimore, MD. I work as a Marketing Manager and in my free time, I perform improv comedy with Highwire Improv & The Lou Room.

Emiline’s Divine Candles is a queer woman-owned candle company that started as a conversation with friends about how I loved making candles and them convincing me I should share them with everyone. When coming up with ideas for candles I wanted to create the feeling I have when I would make them for myself and others.

The candles I mostly create are soy wax hand-poured affirmation intention-setting candles infused with crystals and herbs. Each candle comes with an affirmation you can say when lighting it. I am a firm believer in setting your intentions out into the universe and speaking things into existence. With my candles, I hope that people can feel the warmth and be able to set whatever intentions they would like.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

When I started Emiline’s Divine Candles, I made all the candles in the corner of a room in my small apartment. Two years later and I still create them the same way. I do enjoy creating in my own space which allows me to be free in how I create from blasting music or multitasking. A bonus is my apartment always smells great with the different scents.

I would say for those who are interested in starting their own business do not let the space they have deteriorate them. Your creations are just as worthy as something that is created in a big warehouse/space! There are times when it can fill like the space is slowly getting more and more full with materials but that just means you have more to create!

When I vend, I am grateful to live in a city like Baltimore that showcases artists in an amazing way and organizations that work with artists to achieve their goals.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was doubting myself! When I first started selling my candles I was discouraged if I would sell enough or if I am doing the right thing. Those thoughts will occur but know that if you believe in your product and you are loving what you are doing it will all fall into place.

There are times when I don’t have any sales for a month which can cause me to doubt myself and there are times when I vend that I sell out of all the candles I bring which is a blessing. I’ve had moments when something is happening with ordering materials and it takes longer to come which messes with my “timeline”. Those moments will happen and I had to remind myself that doubting myself or doubting the process can cause me to not create the best way that I can.

Just REMEMBER YOU GOT THIS!!!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @emilinedivinecandles
• Facebook: facebook.com/EmilinesDivineCandles
• Other: Personal Instagram: @jazzy__jessi