At a career crossroads, Rachel Hightshue needed some inspiration.
The Greenwood resident had left her career as a nurse in early 2015. Her oldest son had been diagnosed with autism, and she and her husband, Danny, decided that they would homeschool their two children.
Leaving nursing was a hard decision, Hightshue said.
“I really loved it. But at that season of my life, I knew that’s what I had to do,” she said.
On a Sunday morning last November, Hightshue was home by herself, recovering from an illness while her family attended church. She was reading her Bible when her mind wandered to ways to keep herself busy. Maybe she could start a small side business, she thought.
It was a particular verse in Matthew 5:16 that inspired her: “Let your light shine before men …” She loved the glow and warmth of decorative candles, and thought that could be an option.
“I had never made a candle before, didn’t know anything about it. But I just started reading and learning how,” she said.
After weeks of extensive research and trial-and-error testing in her home, Hightshue felt that she had a grasp on craft candles, as well as a niche for her creations to stand out.
Her focus was on making clean-burning candles without any dyes or artificial fragrances. That was important, considering her son’s sensitivity to additives impacting his autism.
She includes positive mantras on her candle tabs, imploring people to “Let your light shine” and “Why blend in when you were born to stand out?”
“I have always liked creating, and I love doing something and having a final product to look at,” she said. “I enjoy burning candles: they’re relaxing to me, so making something that I know is bringing other people enjoyment is important to me.”
