Cindy Li, Owner of Celes Candles
I am happy to have Cindy Li, owner of Celes Candles, take part in a Klein House interview. This truly shows that the community of small business owners can stretch across not just your own community or state, but even across different countries. Cindy being in Toronto, Canada, and myself being all the way in Colorado Springs, Colorado is something I find inspiration in- showing that if you don’t always see your supporters and community, it does not mean they are not out there; so keep pushing.
Cindy’s story is one of great resilience and self-acceptance. She touches the concept of choosing your life based on what brings you happiness and peace, no matter what that is- which aligns beautifully with the morals of Klein House. I could not be happier to know that there are other people with the same principles in their own brand as this one. Her words show by example the importance of a work-life balance; revealing the sometimes hard truth that you can only keep up with and expand the great things in your life, if you take care of yourself first. Celes Candles is there to support you through those self-care nights and bring a little something special to the table.
Ontop of her amazing business morals, Celes Candles is a beautiful example of branding, and the power social media holds for small business growth. Simple, calm, and clean product pictures fill her page- and that is something I hope to one day replicate to solidify my brand as much as Cindy has. Through this collaboration I could feel the time and effort Cindy puts into her business and it was a pleasure and inspiration collaborating with her.
What is your name & business name? Where is your business based?
Hi, my name is Cindy and I’m the owner of Celes Candles! I’m based in Toronto, Canada.
Tell me about your brand:
The vision for Celes Candles is to provide the highest quality and ethically-sourced natural ingredient products and content set with powerful intentions to help you to manifest their dreams and desires into reality - whilst enjoying a spa-like experience and bring comfiness to your home.
What does your business do/provide?
I currently sell whimsically scented sparkle soy candles, soy wax melts, room sprays, and bath specialty products. I also write and create content about my journey with manifesting and living an aligned life.
What do you feel sets you and your business apart from others?
Celes Candles isn’t just a place to buy great smelling, uniquely scented, whimsical pretty candles, it’s also a resource for manifesting, witchy magick, and general inspirations on living your best aligned self regardless of our different paths. The lessons and techniques that intrigue me and helped my journey, and ones I’m still practising, I will be sharing in my blog posts and videos. The content is free, and when you find yourself wanting to support my business or because you simply think that I am great, the candles and bath products will be waiting for you ;).
What is your business’s backstory? How and why did you start your business?
Celes Candles was started to share my love and practice for self-care with my natural-made products and potions, focusing on candles and bath specialty products. I deeply enjoy cultivating my manifesting gifts, aligning with my highest self, and exploring all the wonders that different realities has to offer, and I wanted to share the love and knowledge I’ve found and continuously find along the way - mixed with a healthy dose of witchy magick, celestial blessings, and positive intentions.
What are the driving passions and morals for you and your business?
Making candles and bath products started out as a creative outlet and therapy for me to be present in the moment, and it just grew from there because I had so much fun and I fell in love with it. And I high-key wanted great smelling products of my own choosing for my own rituals. The driving passion for me to start Celes Candles is to spread love and comfiness in as many homes and lives of whom are willing. You need not believe in my beliefs to shop at Celes Candles or even visit, because I believe in my product’s ability to stand on their own being uniquely scented, relaxing, and oh-so pretty for your homes!
What do you think really put your business on the map?
My products, my brand, and my business reflect my beliefs, creativity, and lifestyle. It’s the way I see the world and how I am putting myself out there. It’s my creative growth diary and anyone I resonate with, or who wishes to explore themselves, is welcome!
What are the most gratifying parts and most challenging parts of being a business owner?
The most gratifying parts are when I am given feedback about how my creative work have helped my beautiful Celestites or been enjoyed by them. It fills me with a tremendous amount of joy! Also I relish in creating all the graphics, blog content, videos, and the Celes Candles website; I LOVE getting creative and my background as a video editor, graphic designer, and blog writer is definitely reflected.
And the most challenging part? Gurl… All the laws and taxes, haha. I am very grateful to have supportive and reliable people in my life who understands the legal paperwork for me to double-check any of my work.
I am learning new things about myself and my business every day; it’s quite an exciting adventure!
What is your favourite memory of running your business?
I have so many favourite memories; it’s hard to choose just one! Haha, but one of the most precious is just after I opened, and just seeing all the orders pour in as well as all the love on IG made me tear up. It was one of the great moments that solidified the belief for me that life really is just a mindset game.
How has your background/ life story played a role in who you are today?
I was taught to be perfect not brave, I was taught to let men lead, and I was taught to be quiet, small and follow the opinions of others; I grew up in controlling, narcissistic, and misogynistic Christian/Ancestry separated household filled with emotional manipulation, threats of violence, and endless gas lighting (in addition to harmful body shaming). For years, I was a mess and hopeless. I found myself in cycles of toxicity of my own making because of an error-filled mindset leftover from my childhood and a better half of my young adult life. I let the wrong people in, I didn’t trust myself, and I was angry and afraid all the time; there was A LOT of self-sabotage because I didn’t believe I deserved better or that I had a future, and I was extremely people pleasing to my own mental and physical detriment. I gave away my power until an incredibly traumatic inter-personal experience in late 2019 (it was inevitable, in retrospect) that made me decide enough was enough – I am done suffering; it was time to live my life, the way I want, unapologetically regardless of anyone’s opinion, the past, and my upbringing. I am done waiting and listening on outside forces – I am now creating, exploring, and validating for myself.
What is one accomplishment you are most proud of in terms of your business?
I stubbornly persisted and flipped my mindset to one of abundance and growth and cut off all forms of toxicity in my life (friends, family, and habits). I am immensely proud of myself for my perseverance. Growing up I had trouble following through with most things I started because of the feeling of hopelessness, low self-esteem, and ever-mounting pressure of perfectionism, but I have since flipped my mindset, found success and happiness, and I haven’t looked back. Don’t get me wrong, I still have days where the past and self-doubt comes to haunt, but those are now far and few in-between. In addition, I’ve definitely grown a lot and I can handle those moments where the saboteur and toxic reality tries again.
And with my new positive mindset, one that I work hard to polish every day, my business continues to flourish!
Is there someone or something you would like to thank or give credit to for your business ventures?
I am incredibly grateful for my chosen friends and family for their continuous support of not only my opening and general business but my lifestyle and who I’ve decided I am. It’s been an incredibly painful and rewarding journey, but I do not regret any part of it – I’m in a far better place now than I was 5 years ago and the only way to go is forward!
Small businesses are the building blocks for a strong community. What are your favourite things to do, see, or share in your community?
It hasn’t been too long since I’ve been active on social media but I love to support fellow chandlers, manifestors, and people who are doing their best! Inspirational quotes, creative arts and crafts are all beloved here as a positive and comfy environment is what Celes Candles supports.
A Word From The Owner
The only opinion that matters in your life is your own. Trust yourself and protect your peace! Life is not a competition with outside forces; it’s a self-journey of many lessons. So, whether you take the leap to own a business or not (or do anything in life), I’d say make sure it resonates with your vision of your chosen aligned self. After all, the world is a mirror and it reflects the YOU within!
Social Links, Contact Information, Location, & Pricing
IG, FB, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube, Tiktok: @celescandles
Business inquiries: cindy@celescandles.com
General contact: info@celescandles.com
Product General Pricing (CAD):
Soy Candles: $25
Soy Wax Melts: $10
Room + Linen Sprays: $12
Bath Salt Mix: $18
Content: Free.99 ♥
