Eight-year-old Madison Ayers has turned a candle-making hobby into Candle Pop Co., a home-based business she runs with help from her parents in San Antonio, Texas. In five months, she filled more than 1,000 orders for candles she makes from scratch. Madison chooses scents, colours and jars, buys materials, melts wax and helps market the candles at local farmers’ markets. The idea began after she watched her older brother earn money helping neighbours and decided she wanted to do something of her own. Now, she is saving towards a car for when she turns 16, while the business has also helped her become more confident speaking to strangers.
How Madison Ayers turned a candle-making hobby into Candle Pop Co. with family support
Madison’s idea for Candle Pop Co. came after she watched her older brother earn extra money by helping neighbours with their rubbish. She told her mother, Jessica Miele, that she wanted to do something herself. The project started with a small 10-pound amount of wax before growing into a home-based candle business. Madison takes part in several parts of the process, including choosing scents, colours and jars, buying materials, melting wax and helping promote the candles at local farmers’ markets. Her parents help her run the business in San Antonio.
Candle Pop Co is dedicated to creating high-quality, delightful scents that can transform space and elevate everyday moments (Canva)
Why Madison Ayers’ Candle Pop Co. reached more than 1,000 orders in five months in total
In just five months, Madison filled more than 1,000 orders for candles she makes from scratch. The business has grown beyond a small home project, with Madison and her family taking the candles to local farmers’ markets where she can meet customers and promote her products. Madison told KSAT that she measures the wax herself and is involved in the production process. Her mother said Madison can spend six to seven hours working on the business, although she also noted that this can be difficult because Madison is only eight.
How selling candles helped Madison Ayers become more confident speaking to strangers
For Madison, making candles has brought a change that goes beyond learning how to sell a product. She said talking to people she does not know has been the hardest part of running the business. Before starting Candle Pop Co., she described herself as very shy. Meeting customers and promoting her candles has since helped her become more comfortable speaking with people. Her experience also gives her practical exposure to buying materials, making products, interacting with customers and promoting what she creates. Her parents hope the experience will encourage other young people to start projects of their own.
Why Madison Ayers is saving her Candle Pop Co. earnings for a car when she turns 16
Madison already has a long-term goal for the money she earns from Candle Pop Co., she wants to save for a car when she turns 16. Her mother said Madison has also joked that she plans to buy her a house one day. Despite being years away from driving age, Madison intends to keep Candle Pop Co. going for a long time. For now, the candle business gives her a way to work towards a goal while developing confidence and learning how a small business operates.
