From the humble beginnings of basement floors to the warm ambiance of the candle shop doors, Amber Anians, a local small business owner, has started on her candle shop journey. The proud owner of Blazed Candle Co. Amber has been dedicated to her entrepreneurial path since the age of 22 and hasn’t looked back.
“I have had my hands in a bunch of different things, when I had my first daughter when I was only 22,” Anians said. “I ran an at-home daycare, so I was pretty much getting paid to have my daughter play with her friends, I was also in control of what she was learning and stuff like that.”
As her daughter got older, she ran multiple other small businesses, and over the years, had three other daughters. She began her journey in the “health and wellness” industry when her best friend started selling small candles in metal tins out of her house through Etsy. She asked Amber if she could help with the marketing aspects of it, and soon thereafter, took over the Etsy page. With good marketing, a high sales rate, and, of course, word of mouth, Anaians was able to open a physical store on Mexico Rd named Blazed Candle Company.
“Being a small business owner is challenging,” said Anians. “Everyone thinks they can just work for themself and work whenever they want, but it’s way more intense with that. You’re pretty much working all day, everyday whether you have a physical store or an online store.”
Blazed Candle Co. is a unique store that specializes in candles while also offering a variety of products including gadgets, plants, clothes and jewelry. The store has recently launched new collections such as the ‘Swifty Collection’ and the festive ‘Tis the Season’ collection. Operating seven days a week, they welcome customers from 10 a.m to 6 p.m. On the occasional weekend, Blazed Candle Co. collaborates with local STL small businesses, hosting events to promote and spread the word about the small business community in the area.
“[My day] is busy from the moment I get there. I get there one, two hours early, I get ready for the store to open so maybe that’s restocking or online orders,” Anians said.
The success of the first location prompted the opening of a second in the Cottellville area, aiming to attract a broader customer base with the opening of ‘Oh My Posh – A Gift Boutique.’ This boutique is a collaboration with one of Anians best friends, whom she met through the journey of owning Blaze. At ‘Oh My Posh,’ customers can find all the items Blaze offers, with the exciting addition of a baby section, a clothing department, and even fitting rooms.
“This new store will kind of be your one stop shop,” Anainas said. “Whether you need a wedding gift or a baby shower gift, something funny for your husband, you can.”
When Anains first launched her business, it coincided with the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. This meant challenging times for all small businesses, as people were resorting to online shopping. Maintaining motivation during these times was a struggle, but it was her passion that served as the driving force, keeping her determined and moving her forward.
“The passion drives from my customers,” Anians said. “Seeing everybody laugh, I mean some of my customers are closer to me than my own family members. But, they really are what keeps me going.”
Through the thick and thin of Blazed Candle Co. and now the new addition of ‘Oh My Posh,’ the person that she couldn’t thank enough for sticking by her side was her husband (name), her co-owner of the businesses, and her motivation.
“[The person that stuck by my side,] definitely my husband,” Anians said. “From my first candle I ever made till now, I told him I wanted this and he’s just supported me from day one, along with the decision to open a store. He’s literally been by my side
this whole time, I don’t know what I would do without him.”
Kyle, while being Amber’s husband, also played a pivotal role in the opening of both stores. From working construction on the new building to making vanilla scented candles, this man has constantly supported Amber in the business.
“All of this has been unbelievable,” Anians said. “From where it started to where it is now, starting on our basement and pretty much watching Amber take over everything to opening a store in the middle of COVID, I don’t know how it blew up the way it did. It’s hard for me to put this all into words, I still can’t wrap my mind around it.”
