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

Kayla, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

Growing up in the 90’s what girl wasn’t obsessed with body sprays, perfumes, candles, lotions? I loved going to Bath & Body Works & Victoria Secret (Cucumber Melon & Love Spell anyone?)

In college (studying to become a teacher), I worked two jobs: one as a waitress and you guessed it, Bath & Body Works. I loved smelling all of the new smells and setting the floor with new products that would come in.

I continued to pursue and earn my degree in teaching (currently still teach Kindergarten). However, Covid happened. I was used to managing twenty-something 5 year olds… what was I going to do with my time? I kept myself busy with outside projects through the Spring and Summer.

We live in Washington State and fall started, which means… rain. I needed to find an indoor hobby, enter candle making. My sister in-law had gotten me a candle making kit from Amazon and I decided to try it and ended up loving it. If you know me, you know I get fixated on something and can’t let it go (this is a blessing and a curse).

With that fixation, I also started researching what ingredients went into mainstream candle stores and quickly realized that – it is not good. Many companies can label their candles as soy and contain 0% soy wax, they can claim they are 100% pure essential oil base (not possible).

I set out to create my company with clean ingredients in mind. Our candles are made with local soy wax blend grown in the USA. Our wicks are made with high quality natural cotton. Our fragrances avoid carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxins (hello ladies!), organ toxins, and acute toxins all while still creating lovely blends. All containers and packaging are recyclable, reusable, and eco friendly. Each candle is poured by hand in small batches in my home in Eatonville, WA.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Kayla Bullard and I am currently a Kindergarten teacher and Candle Maker!

VRIETY started online in 2021 and in person at local hand crafted markets in Washington State. We started with an Amazon candle making kit right in our home kitchen. VRIETY creates hand poured candles in small batches, all natural castile based hand soaps, and perfumes that are comparable to high end designer fragrances but without the added chemicals.

We are passionate about bringing quality products with quality ingredients to our customers. We believe there’s nothing better than cozy weather, a clean home, and a candle lit.

I would have to say I am most proud of our 12 days of Christmas tealight calendar. This features 12 different seasonal blends hand poured and hand packaged in various elements. The holiday season is one of my favorite times of year, but I also know it can get busy and stressful. I wanted create little moments during the season where my customer can slow down, get excited to smell a new seasonal blend daily, light it, and relax. I truly believe life is about the little things and wanted to bring that to my customers.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

In person markets! Naturally I am an introvert that gets peopled out easily – but I LOVE markets! It gives me a chance to grow my business and meet my customers in person! As a business owner, I am able to remember the names and faces of my customers that support my small little dream. It gives me a chance to thank them, give them a discount or free product, but most importantly just connect with them. One suggestion I would give you any business owner that attends markets, is to promote your social media. This is a great way for your customer to connect with you and you can connect with your customer! You begin to form bonds and friendships!

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

Ironically I am a teacher, but I wasn’t “good” at school. I was a good student who paid attention, turned in assignments on time, did my homework, but school was never easy for me.

To become a teacher in Washington State, there are multiple tests that you have to pass in order to become a teacher. In 2013, I was hired for my first teaching job – so I thought. I had my desk all set up and got a call 3 days before school started that I couldn’t teach because I hadn’t passed one of those multiple tests. I was devastated.

Every 45 days this test could be taken, so I signed up. It happened to be October 11, my MomMom and PopPop’s (grandma and grandpa’s) anniversary. My PopPop, who I was close to, passed away my junior year of high school but was still close my MomMom. I went to bed October 10th a nervous wreck (test anxiety), but that night my PopPop came to me in a dream. We were playing cards at their house (as we normally did), and he told me “Everything’s going to be alright babygirl.” I woke up trying to comprehend what had happened because it felt so real, it felt like he was there.

October 11th, 2013 I passed my test to become a teacher. I needed a score of 240 and got a 240. It is a pivotal moment in my life where I knew resilience mattered more than anything. Life is going to throw all sorts of obstacles your way, but what matters is how your respond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vrietycandleco.com
• Instagram: @vrietycandleco

Image Credits

Shelby Schmidt – @somethingminted
Meghan Hoyt – @mhoytphoto