About

Joe Jordan is a middle school kid with a booming candle business all his own.  Eager to share his life experiences and production process, but not eager to write about himself, he asked his Aunt Jakie to conduct an interview.

How did your business begin?
Well, its like this. I got off the bus from school one day and had the idea to make candles.  So, I got on Mom’s computer and did some research. I also looked at candles in our house, took wicks out, smelled scents. I really enjoyed doing that, so I ordered supplies and got to work using a slow cooker and some wax, wicks and scents - some that I honestly regret getting.  As I began doing it and kept doing it, I got better and better.

What scents do you regret getting?
Bamboo.  I love this smell because it smells like JJ’s house (Joe’s grandmother).  I liked the scent, but I didn’t use it again because it was so expensive. Rain - It smelled like nothing. Fresh cut grass - It smelled like chemicals.

What is your candle making process? 
It involves melting the wax using a specially made pot. Then I get container, put wick in the center, add scent to the melted wax, then pour it into the votive with a gentle mix from a popsicle stick. The popsicle stick is my weapon of choice.

Who is your inspiration? 
Little Peter (Joe’s 18 year old cousin) is my inspiration for my business. That’s because I saw that the started his own business making and selling granola, and I have always been intrigued with how businesses are run. I also like having extra money to do what I want with.

What do your friends say about your business? 
They think it’s awesome and super cool. Whenever a candle gets brought up at school, the kids all yell, “Joe’s candles! It’s lit!”.  That’s my unofficial tag line. 

Person or people who have been meaningful to your business? 
My mom because she has helped me set up a lot of the business.  There is also one lady who has bought the most candles from me.  She’s a cool lady.  And she loves my candles...and that means a lot to me.

What do you like to do when you are not making candles? 
Go fishing, go hunting, play Xbox, or play with my sister, Sloan.  We like to play lacrosse in the front yard.

What about your candle business makes you happy? 
I love making the candles - seeing it go from 3 or 4 different ingredients into one product. I think that is really cool. 
You know what else makes me happy?  I love smelling the scent.
I’ve gone to school sometimes in the same clothes I have worn making candles, so the scent is on my clothes and it’s in my bed. If I wear a hoodie I wore when candle making the day before , my friends will say, “Joe, were you make it candles this weekend?” I love how the scent follows me where I go on my hoodie and clothes. It makes me happy.

Favorite snack or dinner?  Ramen noodles for snack, Parmesan chicken for  dinner

Favorite fish to catch? Speckled sea trout

 

JOE ON SCENTS 

Joe shares with us his thoughts on each scent in his collection:

 Lavender is lavender. I like lavender because it’s a basic scent. It’s a “go to” for a lot of people. You won’t meet anyone who has not smelled lavender. So, they know if they like it or not.

Fraser fir is my favorite scent because it smells like a Christmas tree farm. It’s not too overwhelming. Perfect for the holidays or winter.

Sandlewood is more of a masculine scent. It sells best on Valentine’s Day.

Gardenia is my second favorite scent. I like it because it is a floral scent like a flower. It is actually two flowers - gardenia and tuberose. My mom likes this scent the most.

If you could be a smell what would it be?  I would be the smell of bacon.

Have you ever thought about a bacon candle?  No. I am all for odd scents, but I don’t want to be the guy who makes them.