Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Brown.
Hi Denise, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Cosaglow began when I started looking for 100% soy candles, cozy scents, and an elevated appearance. I found out many of the great smelling candles on the market contained potentially toxic paraffin wax and phthalates in their fragrances, which was disheartening. As a registered nurse, who believes your home environment should be as safe as it is cozy…I only wanted safe and natural ingredients around me, my family and friends.
After searching craft fairs and vendor markets, I kept seeing very similar styles and scents. I wanted something with an elevated look, so I began making my own premium, hand-poured candles. I wanted to know the exact ingredients in each of my candles, and I was determined to make something high-quality, all-natural and non-toxic!
The best part is that I soon started receiving rave reviews from everyone who smelled them. After several people said I should sell them, the dream of Cosaglow was launched!
My son, Jonathan Brown, is the creator of my brand’s logo and label design. With his background, education and experience, he designed the clean, elevated look I was hoping for.
Cosaglow is named for the Scottish Gaelic word “cosagach” meaning snug, sheltered, or cozy. This was the exact feeling I wanted my candles to evoke. I am proud to say I have amazing, health-conscious customers, who treat themselves to a touch of luxury and serenity. Cosaglow is here for you and because of you!
Cosaglow is a 100% female owned and operated business and focuses on inclusion, diversity and acceptance.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As with every beginning, there’s always a learning curve. I focused on creating candles that have an amazing scent while lit (“hot throw”) or unlit (“cold throw”), as well as maintaining the scent throughout the life of the candle. With lots of testing and calculations, our perfect formula was developed. We only use premium soy wax and fragrance oils that are non-toxic and safe to burn. We also use natural cotton wicks, dipped in soy wax, to aid in a clean and balanced burn.
I believe we all should be “life-long learners”, and strive to continue to improve and grow, with intention.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my previous career, I worked in law enforcement for almost 20 years as a patrol officer and later an investigator. I specialized in Crimes Against Children and investigated cases of child abuse, child sexual abuse and child fatality/homicide. My passion then, as it still is today, is to keep people safe and to make a difference.
Now, as a registered nurse of over 16 years, my passion has continued to center on the core elements of healthcare, community and environment. With a focus on my growing family, I am very passionate about health-forward products that are safe, non-toxic and make a difference.
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
Younger me, absolutely! I had no fear then. I think working in law enforcement is probably a pretty good example of that. One of my mentors in law enforcement told me that police work was, “90 percent boredom and 10 percent sheer terror.” He wasn’t wrong. A lot of risk, but the reward of making a positive difference in an individual’s life was beyond words.
Entering the nursing-field was less of a risk, but definitely a challenge. I’ve worked in hospice, forensic nursing, psychiatric nursing, legal nurse consulting and in healthcare fraud investigation. I’ve been assaulted by patients dealing with psychosis and I’ve been hugged by families after their beloved family member passed. Still focusing on making a difference.
Today, I still do, but they are definitely more calculated risks. When starting this business, as with anything new you try, you risk failure. But you also risk success…so that’s what I decided to focus on. As the quote by T.S. Eliot states, “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
Pricing:
- 16 oz – 3 wick candle = $30
- 12 oz – 2 wick candle = $20
- 8 oz – single wick candle = $15
- Wax Melts – $5
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cosaglow.com
