We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lauren Cato a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

To be perfectly honest, I really had no idea how much there was to learn about creating candles when I first got this idea. Wax, wick, scent – how difficult could it be? I quickly learned that candles are as much a science as an art, and every tiny detail can make a huge difference in how a candle performs. There was so much trial and error and so many bungled attempts that happened before I was able to produce something successful. I’ve always been a perfectionist, so it was really important for me to learn to give myself grace in all of the mistakes and enjoy the whole messy and creative process!

Lauren, 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?

I have always been passionate about creating a home and environment that is cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. Candles were a huge part of this, and I almost constantly had one burning. However, in 2020, I started suffering from debilitating migraines. The more I researched the toxins I was bringing into my home, the more I began to see the need for a candle that is good for both ambiance and your health. Cato&Co Candles was founded in a tiny kitchen with just a few materials, a desire for a GOOD candle, and a heart for creating.

Cato&Co Candles specializes in hand-poured soy candles. You can only make a good product with good ingredients. That’s why I use only high-quality materials – from the variety of vessels to the pure soy wax flakes to the phthalate-free oils, everything has been thoughtfully and ethically sourced.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

There are a lot of difficult parts about being a small business owner, not the least of which is being responsible for all aspects of the company. However, this is also one of the most rewarding parts! I absolutely love getting to create a product I love for a living, and I get to be really proud of the final product knowing I was behind each detail of the whole process.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I’m so thankful to be apart of the small business community in Greenville, because everyone is so supportive of local, handmade goods. It can be really difficult to compete in today’s market of mass produced products that may be fast and convenient but just aren’t made with the same quality that you can find from artists and creatives. The best thing a society can do to support artists is shop small and local when you can, and get the word out about your favorite small businesses!

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: catoandcocandles

Image Credits
Morgan Cox Photography