How a Pandemic (and a Pile of Toilet Paper) Lit My Fire

Remember 2020? Ah, yes, the year of global stress, endless Zoom calls (hello, remote learning!), daily devastating news, and the great toilet paper shortage. The world was upside down, and frankly, so was my brain. Every day felt like a new level of "what in the actual f*** is happening?!"

 

Then, a beacon of hope emerged – a friend's casual mention of a virtual candle-making class. Intrigued (and desperate for any escape), I signed up. For one blissful hour on Zoom, I was transported. Forget the chaos outside; I was in a zen-like state, melting wax, mixing scents, and creating something beautiful. It was calming, relaxing, and, most importantly, filled my perpetually-quarantined house with the most beautiful scent. I was hooked!

​

I immediately ordered more candle-making supplies. My home office became a makeshift candle lab. I spent months perfecting the craft, turning our home into a fragrant oasis. One day, a friend stopped by, took a whiff, and asked, "Are you selling these?!" My first sale! It was a glorious moment, powered by the sheer fact that someone actually wanted something I made.

 

My husband, bless his entrepreneurial heart, became my chief motivator. He even made branded T-shirts (shout out to QC Heatpress!). Later that year, I did my first pop-up and by December I was swamped with Christmas orders!

​

As they say, the rest is history. Yannalse Co. has grown from a stress-induced hobby into a full-blown passion that elevates my creative dopamine. From the depths of 2020's absurdity, Yannalse Co. emerged. And still today, it gives me a little slice of calm when life starts "life-ing". I hope it does the same for you. Thanks for being here!

​