Our Story

From Our Garage to 1803 Candles Today

1803 Candles has grown each year from our beginnings in the garage to a 14,000-square-foot warehouse and manufacturing facility, with several facility stops along the way.

Through every stage of that growth, the vision has remained the same: create distinctive, highly fragrant soy candles with the quality and care we wanted from the very beginning.

The building may be larger today, but the attention we give our fragrances, wax, wicks, jars, packaging and customers is still rooted in those early days of testing candles over and over until we were satisfied with the result.

A Family Business From the Beginning

Family has always been at the center of 1803 Candles. The company began with my dad and me working side by side, and today my husband and I continue working together at 1803 Candles®.

Before 1803 Candles was born, I owned and operated a retail store for 12 years. That experience gave me a deep appreciation for the independent shop owners across the United States who work every day to build businesses in their own communities.

Those retailers have become an important part of the 1803 story.

The People Behind Every 1803 Candle

We work every day with pride to bring our customers the best soy candles we can make. We are fortunate to have an outstanding team who helps make that possible.

From our office crew to our candle-making and fulfillment team, many hands are involved before an 1803 product reaches your home.

Our team helps mix our fragrance oils, prepare and pour our soy wax, lid and label our jars, fill customer orders, carefully pack products and prepare them for shipment.

Each step matters because every candle eventually becomes part of someone's home, family gathering, holiday tradition, gift or quiet evening.

Family First

We currently have a team of approximately 15 employees, and many are moms who work while their children are in school.

We have intentionally created positions around a philosophy of family first without sacrificing quality or production.

We are fortunate that our warehouse is located next to the school, which means we sometimes get to watch a whole group of kids walk across the yard to the warehouse after school.

It is a small thing, but it represents something important to us: building a business where people can do good work while still being present for the people who matter most.

Why We Chose Soy Wax

Soy wax has been an important part of our candles from the beginning. 1803 Candles uses pure soy wax made from U.S.-grown soybeans rather than a soy-paraffin wax blend.

If you would like to learn more about our wax, how soybeans become candle wax, and why we use soy wax in our candles, visit our About Soy page.

Fragrance Is at the Heart of 1803 Candles

For us, fragrance is about more than simply making a room smell good. A fragrance can remind you of something baking in the kitchen, apples in an orchard, a walk through the woods, fresh laundry, a flower garden or an evening beside the fire.

Many of our fragrances are built around those familiar places, seasons and memories. That connection between fragrance and memory is a large part of what continues to inspire the products we create.

Explore our strong scented soy candles and discover a fragrance that feels like home to you.

Supporting Independent Retailers

Because I spent 12 years as a retail store owner before starting 1803 Candles, I understand firsthand how much work goes into running an independent shop.

Today, our products are available through independent retailers across the country, and we are grateful for the stores that have introduced 1803 Candles to customers in their own communities.

Looking for 1803 Candles near you? Visit our Find a Store directory to locate a retailer.

If you own a store and are interested in carrying 1803 Candles, visit our wholesale candle information to learn more.

Growing Beyond Soy Jar Candles

Over the years, we have expanded into additional fragrant products while maintaining the same commitment to fragrance and quality that began with our soy jar candles.

Customers can now enjoy many of their favorite 1803 fragrances in soy wax melts as well as seasonal collections, limited-edition vessels and other home fragrance products.

No matter the product, our goal remains the same: create fragrance experiences our customers look forward to bringing into their homes.

Celebrating 20 Years of 1803 Candles

In 2026, 1803 Candles is celebrating twenty years since the company was founded.

From testing candles with my dad to growing into a 14,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, the journey has included employees, retailers, customers, family and friends who have all helped shape what 1803 Candles has become.

We are currently gathering photographs, memories and milestones from those first twenty years, and we look forward to sharing more of that story.

Thank You for Being Part of the 1803 Family

Whether you discovered 1803 Candles through a local retailer years ago or you are lighting one of our candles for the first time today, thank you for supporting what we do.

Our customers, retailers, employees, family and friends have all played a part in the 1803 story.

We hope you will visit our blog to keep up with all things 1803 Candles, discover new fragrances and follow what comes next.

Thank you for being part of the 1803 Family.