I LOVE candles. I love the way they make a room smell and feel. I love to curl up on the couch to a good movie or tv show with a candle flickering in the background. So, when I found out my co-worker started making her own candles with really fun names as a side businesses during the pandemic, I obviously had to check it out. So, let’s learn more about Rise and Pine Candle Company and the creative businesswoman behind the fun scents!
Business Name: Rise and Pine Candle Company
Owner: Christine Ekstrom
Established Year: 2019
Location: Schenectady, NY
Facebook: @riseandpinecandles
Instagram: @riseandpinecandles
Website: riseandpine.com
Tell us about your business and the story behind its creation!
I have a background in graphic design and I have always loved creating and making things. At the end of 2019 I when I felt like I wanted to try making something new I was really drawn to candle making. I thought I would just make some candles and give them as gifts for Christmas. But, the more I made them the more I really fell in love with the process of making them. Of course I can’t do anything lowkey, so I started thinking of names for a business and began working on a logo to incorporate into the labels.
I finally settled on the name Rise & Pine Candle Company, because I knew I wanted to incorporate my love of the outdoors into anything I did. I have a little bit of an overactive imagination so I just started naming the candle scents whatever came into my mind when I smelled the fragrance. Some of my first ones were “Going On a Hike and Feeling Real Woodsy,” which is pine and campfire scented, “Casually Riding a Dragon into a Volcano” which is dark musky patchouli scent, and “Mimosas With My Bitches”, which is mimosa scented.
In the past year I launched my own website, riseandpine.com and we are now in three local shops, Lark Street Mercantile in Albany, NY, Clinton Street Mercantile in Schenectady, NY and Haven Home Decor in Cohoes, NY.
What products and services do you offer? What makes them unique?
We offer two different sizes of candles (9oz and 16oz), and one size of wax melts. The candles are hand poured in small batches and are 100% soy wax. They are made with cotton wicks, and made with fragrance that is free from harmful chemicals like phthalates. Each candle scent has a unique name and label to match. My two favorite scents are “Going On a Hike and Feeling Real Woodsy” and “Randomly Being Abducted by Aliens”.
What do you love most about running your own business and being a business owner?
I’ve really enjoyed interacting with the community at craft shows and markets. It’s really fun to watch people interact with something I’ve made. It’s also nice to know that my product has offered some comfort and light during a really tough year for all of us.
What has been one of the most memorable experiences or opportunities that you’ve experienced since opening your business?
It’s been an incredible experience to grow a business in the past year. I joke sometimes that starting a business in a pandemic was an interesting choice, but the support of the community has been overwhelmingly positive and I am grateful to everyone for their support and encouragement.
What advice would you give to aspiring business owners?
Do something you love and that you find passion in. Always be yourself and no matter what happens just keep pushing forward!
Michella Hand 