As you know by now, I love sharing about companies and products we love on the blog and our Instagram - and most especially those made right here in New England! Next in our series of interviews from New England Makers, we have Carrie Meier from Wolfeboro Candle Company!

New England Maker: Wolfeboro Candle Company

Wolfeboro Candle Company is best known for their New Hampshire-inspired wooden wick soy candles. Each scent is developed by Carrie to capture the essence of New Hampshire's diverse regions, and each candle is hand-poured and made by her right here in New Hampshire. Recently Carrie has expanded to offer scented soy wax melts in addition to candles, and will be expanding the candle line in the future.

Tell me a little about yourself and your business.

Carrie Meier: I'm a wife, new mom, and creative person living in rural New Hampshire.

**How did you start Wolfeboro Candle Company? Had you been making candles for a while or was this a new leap for you?**

CM: I started Wolfeboro Candle Co in Spring 2016. At the time, I owned a small gift shop in downtown Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted for the store (locally made wood wick soy candles), so my supportive husband suggested I start making them myself. I had never made candles before, but I've been a creative person most of my life and decided I would give it a try. We ordered supplies, wax, and a variety of containers and fragrances to mess with. After lots of reading, and trial and error, I figured out the best technique for me and the best temperatures for different stages of the candle making process. Next came figuring out the branding side of it - what do we call ourselves? What fragrances/blends, and fragrance names will work best for the image we want to create? Being also on the retail side of the business, I came up with the names and fragrances that I thought would sell best not only in our store, but for potentially other stores in the future.

Wolfeboro Candle Company - candles in progress

What does a typical day look like for you?

CM: Well a typical day doesn't doesn't necessarily involve making candles (we aren't to that demand - yet!), but I also try to make large batches at a time as the set up, warm up, and clean up processes can add up doing lots of small batches. In addition to making candles, I have also recently been setting up a new website, updating my Etsy site, creating our new wax melts, and testing out new containers and fragrances for a new line of candles.

What is your favorite part about owning your own company? And least favorite part?

CM: I love being able to be creative, with the additional reward of selling a product and having feedback from people who use what I have made. I suppose if there is a downside to this project, it's moving all the 50 pound boxes of wax around!

*A custom-branded candle - Wolfeboro Candle Company also offers custom scent and label options for buisnesses, wedding favors, and more!*

**What has been the most exciting moment for Wolfeboro Candle Company since you started?**

CM: I think the most exciting moments are obtaining new retailers, coming up with new products, and receiving positive feedback. Positive reviews from customers never get old!

Wolfeboro Candle Company at Lupine Home & Gift

What advice do you have for people just starting out?

CM: Ask yourself - what are your goals? If you want to have a side business that is more about an enjoyable hobby that you can profit from, rather than just a job and business, then stick with what you can see yourself doing over and over again but still enjoy. I say that candle making is both an art and a science, which is what makes it enjoyable for me, in addition to coming up with new ideas and having the ability to add on new products when I'm able to.

What is your long-term goal? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

CM: I'd like to continue growing the business and make our way into more retailers both in New Hampshire and in neighboring states. I'm working on a new candle line with a slightly new look, different sizes and fragrances, and that are not based on our state of New Hampshire in order to reach a larger audience.

Who are some of your favorite New England Makers?

CM: Well Birch Landing Home, of course! (Awww, shucks.. thank you!) I'm also a big fan of A&E Stoneworks, Payne & Comfort, Art by Alyssa, Seagate Studio, Beedandy, and Fiber & Water, just to name a few.