We recently connected with Katy Zales and have shared our conversation below.

Katy, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s been the best thing you’ve ever seen (or done yourself) to show a customer that you appreciate them?

Earlier this year, I learned that one of my very first customers had passed away. When I shared a post about visiting my 50th state, Alaska, his wife commented that it was the one state he never got to see. While I was there, I found a quiet lake, skipped a rock for him, and sent her a video to let her know I was keeping his spirit alive. It was a small gesture, but I think it showed how much I value the personal connections behind my business, and that those connections go far beyond the candles themselves.

Katy, 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’m Katy, the founder of Shoppe 815, a lifestyle brand that helps people find their fire and never let it burn out.

I started Shoppe 815 in 2013 as a creative outlet blending adventure, design, and intention through clothing, accessories, and home goods. In 2016, I shifted my focus entirely to handmade candles because scent, more than anything, captures emotion and memory.

Not long after, I was in a motorcycle accident that resulted in a traumatic brain injury. Recovery taught me to reconnect with what lights me up and never let that brightness fade. That experience deepened my connection to brain and mental health, shaping my belief that candles can be more than décor; they are tools for reflection, motivation, and daily routines.

Shoppe 815 candles are made for achievers who live intentionally. They’re gender-neutral, design-driven, and crafted to help people feel grounded, inspired, and unstoppable. What sets us apart is our purpose: to share brightness and help others keep their flame alive.

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

The biggest pivot in my life came when I was forced to slow down. When I first shifted Shoppe 815 from apparel and home goods to candles, it already had loyal customers and steady momentum. It was a risky move, but it felt like a step toward something bigger.

Then, my unexpected motorcycle accident and traumatic brain injury forced me to face another challenge: choosing to prioritize my health and recovery over my business.

I went from constantly creating and chasing what’s next to relearning how to build a business that could move at my pace and grow with my healing. That experience reshaped everything. It helped me realize Shoppe 815 is more than candles. It’s a lifestyle built on passion, purpose, and staying bright.

Today, it’s a brand for ambitious, kind-hearted people who pursue their passions, protect their mental health, and build daily rituals that keep their fire burning bright. Because light isn’t something you find — it’s something you create.

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

Honestly, I think keeping in touch with customers starts with staying human. People don’t just want to buy something; they want to feel connected to it. So I’m intentional about sharing the real stuff: the behind-the-scenes chaos, the days I take off to refuel, the personal stories that inspire each scent. When people see that honesty, they connect on a deeper level.

For the last 13 years, I’ve made it personal. I send handwritten notes, respond to DMs, or remember a returning customer by name. Those small gestures remind people there’s a real person behind the brand, someone who genuinely cares and is rooting for them.

And finally, I try to make Shoppe 815 part of their daily rituals. Lighting a candle shouldn’t just make your space smell good; it should make you feel good. It’s about helping people reset, refocus, or celebrate the small wins. When your brand helps someone find their fire, they’ll keep coming back to keep it burning.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shoppe815.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoppe815
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shoppe815
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/shoppe815

Image Credits

Katy Zales, Jean Losco