Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Lawson.
Hi Katie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
At the very beginning of the pandemic, I was temporarily furloughed from my “real” job. It was so bizarre to get to stay home because before quarantine, I was constantly in transit traveling for work. Since I was able to enjoy the luxury of my own living room every day, I started lighting a candle each morning as a ritual in my stay-at-home routine. After the first couple weeks, I realized I was going through an entire candle like every 3 days and wondered what it would take to make my own just so that I’d always have a few on hand. In mid-April, my boyfriend bought me candle-making supplies for my birthday. We were living in Southern California at the time, and the whole world was in peak lockdown- I thought it would be a fun creative outlet to make candles to give to my local friends and neighbors, and then to mail some back home to friends and family in St. Louis. Long story short, I got really heartwarming feedback about the scent blends. Folks were telling me that the candles smelled so good they didn’t want to light them because they never wanted their stash to run out, or that they were saving them for special occasions, etc. So eventually I made a little Etsy shop so people could continue to have access to them, and here we are today!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been anything but a smooth road! The struggles really are what makes it interesting. I like to think about how if a mountain were smooth, then you couldn’t climb it. Learning to make candles requires a lot of time and patience. You’re always burn testing in regards to jar size, wick size, scent blend, and wax type, etc. In a way, testing has been the easiest, most consistent, and enjoyable part of the process because it’s creative problem solving and I’m in control of it. The things that stress me out the most are when I’m not in control- breakage during shipping, wax prices doubling, jars on backorder, general supply shortages, etc. But all of these trials and tribulations have taught me to diversify my suppliers and to pivot or focus on what I’m actually in control of.
I would say my biggest internal struggle is constantly reminding myself that I am a maker who happens to have an online shop- not the other way around. It’s okay if I sell out and I’m out of stock for a month. It’s okay if I don’t post every little detail on social media. I’m still trying to find a perfect balance between making candles as a passion project vs feeling like I need to capitalize on the hobby in order to justify doing it. I know once it starts to feel like actual work, I might start to dread making them- and that was never the point of this. I do it for joy.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m Katie, owner of soft shadow candle co. I make all-natural, 100% soy candles in my basement in tower grove. I’m known for small-batch, seasonal scents inspired by nature. What sets me apart from others is that my candles are a creative outlet for me, not necessarily a bustling business. Though I’d love to be found in a few more local retail locations, I never intend to grow this project larger than what I can handle by myself and on my own terms.
We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I didn’t go to school for design, business, or marketing- in fact, I have a degree in horticulture. But I don’t use that degree too much either, because I’m a full-time flight attendant! Being in transit constantly makes me want to savor time spent in my own home, which is why I started making candles in the first place.
Contact Info:
- Email: softshadowco@gmail.com
- Website: www.softshadow.co
- Instagram: @softshadow.co
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/softshadowco
Image Credits
soft shadow co
