Queer Candle Co.
This blog was written by me (Charlie, founder of Everywhere Is Queer)! I hope you enjoy this interview from my lens.
Alyssa (she/her) on the left + Ab (they/them) on the right are the founders of Queer Candle Co. Fun fact, QCC is not only the 62nd business to join the Everywhere Is Queer map but they applied the SECOND day EIQ launched! They have been here from the START!
Photo taken by @samreedphoto
"Why Queer Candle Co.?", I asked the two of them. Simply put, Alyssa has been a candle connoisseur for many years - ever since Ab bought her a candle kit for them to make together (ok cute). Shortly after this, Ab moved in with Alyssa and the rest is history! While they first started their business in Brooklyn, NY, Queer Candle Co. is now based out of Philadelphia where they have worked hard to expand their brand presence around North Eastern USA and beyond. The two of them are extremely involved in the market scenes between Philly and Brooklyn, you can see where they will be next - here! Additionally, Alyssa and Ab run Philly Queer Flea (@phillyqueerflea) - their next market will take place in 2024.
As for their biggest successes and struggles, they were quick to share that setting boundaries between work and life has been a struggle. Living together, dating each other and running a business together has been difficult.
For their successes, they shared that creating jobs that they both enjoy is fulfilling for the both of them. They feel they have done well to foster an ethical, cool, queer work environment (congrats to them for hiring their first employee, HUGE). They also mentioned that they are trying to do what they can to combat the horrors of capitalism and shared they feel as though they have succeeded in some ways!
Photo taken by: @samreedphoto
What do you do with your old candles? Did you know glass needs to be clean for it to be recycled? It's not as hard as you'd think to clean out your candle. Alyssa and Ab have made it SO easy with their refill kit guide on how to clean out your old candle and refill it with a new wick and pre-scented soy wax of theirs! I actually got to do this myself and it was so incredibly fun and easy.
Who keeps y'all inspired? They both answered “Ash and Chess” the online stationary brand (and soon to be brick-and-mortar store) in upstate NY. Ab added that they are very inspired by Bianca Designs (a queer latine designer born and raised out of Queens, NY)!
Alyssa and Ab, the amount of people y'all have allowed to feel seen everywhere, your brand has been is infinite. It's incredible to see a brand proudly claiming the word "Queer" in their title, and it's inspiring to think of the impact this has on the youth and the possibilities it signals for them (go us!). I am burning your Redwoods Soy Candle as I write this and it smells SO good. Thank you for the incredible work and queer passion behind creating such amazing ethically sourced candles! So grateful to have y'all as a part of the EIQ community since the second day we launched - my heart.
Thank you for being here and supporting queer owned business like Queer Candle Co. Follow QCC at @queercandleco on Instagram and TikTok!
