Meet Ana, the maker behind Agaboo Candles. Ana creates beautiful sculptural candles that are almost too pretty to burn. A creative at heart, she began her candle journey after losing her full-time job as a programmer. Through a series of questions, we got to know Ana and a bit about his business.
Briefly tell us about yourself:
I’ve always been a creative person. I was involved in drawing and music, but fate had a different outcome, and I learned to be a programmer. I lived in New York, and after I had my daughter there, I decided to move to a quieter state. We landed in Charlotte, North Carolina. After I moved, I lost my full-time job. I realized I needed something to do to feed my daughter and not go stir-crazy. Candles were my choice. Not the standard candles, which we are all used to seeing, but sculptural ones. I fell in love with them at first sight. I started diligently studying information, looking for material suppliers, and made many mistakes, but I got tremendous experience from it. Over time, people began liking my candles and asking for their own. The number of clients was growing. At this point, I realized my hobby was turning into a business. Where I am now is the result of hard work, patience, and practice over a year of Agaboo Candles.
Is there a story behind your shop name?
I named the company after the first word my daughter said.
Where do you create?
I have my own studio. Making candles requires a lot of space. In addition to a huge amount of wax, you need to store packing materials and molds. Before I moved into the studio, I worked in my kitchen and the dining area but space was woefully lacking. I quickly realized in order to grow; I needed a proper space to create.
What is your most popular product?
I have two. The container candles with flowers and the veiled lady sculpture candle that comes in three sizes. I don’t have a favorite product myself, each is unique in its own way.
What does your day look like as a creative business owner:
Every morning, I take the baby to kindergarten, and after I come back, I turn on the necessary wax-melting equipment, print out all the new orders, and prepare the workspace. When the wax is melted, I make each order separately. I have a huge selection of colors and scents, so customers can customize their orders. Making each order individually helps keep everything organized.
After pouring all the molds, work on container candles begins. I use a different type of wax to assemble all the pieces individually. I go to the post office at noon to drop off finished orders. Then I pick my daughter up from kindergarten, put her down for a nap, and return to the studio. Some of the little candles have already hardened by this point, so I start pulling them neatly out of the molds. Since I make sculptural candles, I must do everything slowly and carefully. Wax is fragile; any part can break if you don’t get the candle out just right.
My evenings are for family time. When my daughter goes to bed for the night, I return to the studio and pull the remaining candles from their molds. I pack whatever orders are ready for shipping so I can start fresh again the following day.
Why did you choose goimagine?
I think goimagine will have a great future. And I’d like to be a part of that future.
Where can we find you?
- Shop: Agaboo Candles
- Instagram: @agaboo.candles
- TikTok: @agaboocandles
Stephanie is naturally creative and is passionate about art, design, and everything handmade. She has always enjoyed exploring new techniques and trends in the handmade industry and has channeled this into her role as the Creative Director and co-founder of goimagine. Through her love for creating, she has successfully sold her unique wares, which range from fine art to simple crafts, in both online and in-person markets.