The pandemic has brought many new challenges to our daily lives. But there has been a silver lining for Brenton Croll and Seth Johnson from Shenandoah, Iowa. The two started making candles to pass time during quarantine. And what started as a hobby turned into a successful candle company now known as No Coast Candle.
Our original idea was to just make product for ourselves and close friends and family. Within a month, we had many people requesting products and we decided to sell our products to the general public.” – Johnson
Like all good things, it took time to perfect. The two began researching on the internet in March of 2020, with a lot of trial and error along the way. From perfecting the wax to wick ratio to finding the best place to purchase fragrance oil, they eventually figured out the science behind the candle making process and in late September of 2020 No Coast Candle launched.
No Coast Candles are 100% soy and hand poured in small batches in their house with an above-average scent load making them smell amazing for as long as possible. Customer input is a huge part of their scent selection process. Each time they launch a new seasonal collection, they ask their customers to provide input on what scents they would like to see and they typically select one or two scents from their customer’s suggestions.
As a small LGBTQ owned candle business that operates out of their home, they are also working toward being an environmentally conscious company. They use removable labels on their candles and wax melts so the candle jars can either be cleaned out and used around the house for decoration or storage for small items and their wax melt containers can be recycled once the label is removed. Another method to reduce their carbon footprint is bulk ordering, allowing for less packing and deliveries (and bonus: if you live within 30 miles of Shenandoah, you get free delivery!). They are also working on ways to reduce their impact on the local landfill.
Currently, they offer wax melts, 8 & 16 oz. soy candles, and car freshies. Even though they are always looking at possibilities to expand or add more products to their business, they want to keep their focus on community and making a high quality and affordable product.
