We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Tamara & Jesse Furgason. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Tamara & Jesse below.

Tamara & Jesse, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Everlasting Candle Co. is dedicated to transforming the way we experience candlelight ambience through our patent pending steel candles. Our mission is to offer a unique, eco-friendly, and reusable candle option that stands out for its simplicity and elegance. Made from steel and paired with our Pristine Oil®, our candles provide a clean, smoke-free, and scent-free light, aligning with our commitment to sustainability and a healthier environment.

Our goal is to enhance moments of togetherness and relaxation, believing in the subtle yet powerful role a candlelight ambience can play in any setting. From gatherings to quiet, reflective times, our candles are designed to add a touch of warmth and atmosphere without the complications of traditional candles.

We’re proud of our journey from candle enthusiasts to innovators, and we’re passionate about offering a patent pending product that reflects our values. We’re here to light up spaces and lives with a focus on simplicity, beauty, and sustainability.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

We are the co-founders of Everlasting Candle Co., Jesse and Tamara – a husband-and-wife team with diverse backgrounds that uniquely came together to establish an innovative candle business. Our journey began in Australia, where we attended university together. Tamara holds a PHD in public health, while Jesse, with a degree in commerce and marketing, is an entrepreneur at heart.

Everlasting Candle Co. got its official start in Canada, where we would set our table for dinner parties with a self-made oil-burning candle. The positive reaction within our inner circle propelled us to recognize the special opportunity we had in our hands. Fueled by passion, excitement, and determination, we transformed our humble garage beginnings into a multimillion-dollar candle company found in over 825 independent boutiques across Canada and the US.

Everlasting Candle Co. is not just a candle company; it’s an innovative force redefining ambiance. Our patent pending product is a clean-burning, reusable candlestick made from steel that never melts. What sets us apart is that it’s fueled by Pristine Oil®, offering a smoke-free, scent-free, reusable candle experience like no other on the market. The aesthetic beauty and functionality of our candles appeal to various audiences and makes them truly suitable for everyone.

Our proudest achievement lies in our organic growth strategy. We consciously made decisions to bootstrap the company, grow sustainably, and keep operations in-house. This approach allowed us to organically grow our strengths, knowledge, and team, proving to be pivotal to our success.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Our social media has been rooted in authenticity and transparency from the get-go. We’ve shared the raw truth of our small family business journey, including personal moments like photos from the NICU as first-time parents and celebrating the holiday rush from our warehouse without heat. Our commitment to being genuine and truthful has been an important element of our social media presence – we’ve never pretended to be something we’re not. This commitment to authenticity has resonated with our audience, creating a connection that goes beyond the product itself. We believe in showcasing the real, unfiltered aspects of our lives and business, and our followers appreciate the sincerity.

Building an organic community has been a priority for us. We regularly reshare customer posts, reviews, and comments, highlighting the voices of those who make our brand what it is. This not only acknowledges our customers but also fosters a sense of community and inclusivity.
Additionally, we’ve strategically partnered with other brands that align with our values and make sense for our audience. These collaborations have allowed us to expand our reach organically and connect with new communities that share similar interests.

For those just starting to build a social media presence, our advice is to be authentic, share your journey, and engage with your audience genuinely. Embrace the imperfections, celebrate the highs and lows, and create a space where your community feels heard and valued. Building a meaningful social media presence takes time, so be patient and stay true to your brand’s story and values.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

Maintaining a strong connection with our clients is at the core of our business. We prioritize open and constant communication with our customers and vendors, making them a crucial part of our journey. Regularly reaching out through email and social media, we actively seek their feedback, ideas, and insights on what products to develop next and what they want to experience from our brand. By valuing their input and involving them in our decision-making processes, we’ve cultivated a sense of community. We don’t want them to feel like they are only customers; instead, they are collaborators in our growth as a company. This ongoing dialogue creates brand loyalty and we take pride in co-creating with our community.

Contact Info:

• Website: everlastingcandleco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everlastingcandle/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/everlastingcandleco/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@everlastingcandle

Image Credits
Landon Furgason, Avid Creative