Salazar turns pandemic into fragrant endeavor
The smell of melted wax and arrays of fragrances fill the room. An assemblage of materials and ingredients spread around the island counter in preparation of a new creation. This is what life as a businesswoman is like for junior Sam Salazar.
Salazar, known on Instagram as @mystical.candlez, creates and sells her own eco-friendly candles and wax melts online and to the Kingsville community.
What started off as a quarantine project soon turned into a full-time business. Salazar explains she got the idea of making candles when the pandemic first struck. Seeing as she could not really go anywhere at that time, Salazar channeled her energy into creating candles. She officially began selling in September 2021.
“The effects of the pandemic were taking a toll on me, so I decided to watch videos to distract myself from what was going on at that time,” Salazar said. “I came across a video of someone making candles and that sparked my interest.”
Practice makes perfect. Salazar admits that it did not go so well for her when she was first starting out. She soon found out that a lot of effort was required. A few trials and errors later, Salazar mastered the skill of candle making. She describes this as a learning experience and assures that she will only get better from here.
Mystical Candlez are made with soy wax, an eco- and pet-friendly wax.
“I know she truly thinks about her candles and how she wants the customer to feel when lighting them. Not to forget how much time she spends researching what she puts in the candles,” Brianna Brietzke said.
Brietzke is a roommate and close friend of Salazar. She added that she was not aware of how toxic paraffin wax, a common wax used in other candles, was until Salazar showed her the research she completed.
Salazar explained that making candles can get stressful at times, but it is nothing she cannot handle.
“I always feel so good after seeing the final product. I get a good sense of accomplishment knowing that a piece of me is in that candle, the reward is always good,” Salazar said.
Salazar’s efforts do not go unnoticed. Customer and loyal friend, Mia Hess, expresses just how dedicated Salazar is to her business.
“I 100 percent know Sam is dedicated to Mystical Candlez, because she puts so much creativity and vision when making these candles,” Hess said. “Sam is an extremely amazing businesswoman and I believe Mystical Candlez will go far.”
Building a business has its perks. Salazar said that this business has helped her mentally and financially. She uses the money she makes to buy more inventory and buy anything else she may need like groceries or dog food. Additionally, when times get rough, making candles helps her unwind.
Salazar also sells her candles at markets held in Kingsville and hopes to grow her business in the future.
Salazar can be found on Instagram @mystical.candlez or on Etsy at https://www.etsy.com/shop/MysticalCandlez.