CJ's Candle Creations was started by a 15-year-old girl named Cynthia Morgan looking for an FFA project. This project had to have something to do with agriculture.  She was asked by her teacher to attend the Farm Progress Show that was held in Alleman Iowa.  She found her SAE project in the Iowa Soybean Association booth; soy candles.

   When CJ heard of all the benefits of soy, she was sold on the idea of having her own business.  When a paraffin candle burns its giving off the same 11 toxins that diesel fuel gives off since it is a by product of petroleum.  It leaves black soot and smoke behind after the candle is done burning.  Soy candle have very little soot and no toxins.  They are the clean burning candle and they easily clean up with hot soapy water.  They burn 30% longer then a paraffin candle, and at a lower temperature.  But the best thing about the soy candle is that it is a renewable product grown here in the United States. 

   When CJ started the business she really didn't figure anyone but family and friends would buy them.  Soon someone asked her if she had thought about going to craft shows.  So she went to a show and sold candles.  Customers said they were afraid of burning candles for several reasons, they were afraid of burning their house down, afraid they kids would get burnt. Her mother told her to research and see what else she could add to the line of candles that the customers don't have to burn.  She came up with wax dipped teddy bears.  She really had to experiment with them to get them to look like they were a real teddy bear, not soaked in wax.  The teddy bears smell between 3-6 months.  Then when the fragrance fades away you take a blow dryer to the teddy bear and soften the wax to release the smell again.

   These went over really well.  Soon she was getting phone calls from people that had received them as gifts.  She sold out of 50 snowmen at one show in 11/2 hrs.  But, it was growing way to fast.  In one years time her business tripled.   So much she couldn’t handle all the orders by herself with all the extra activities at school, National honor society, poetry club, officer of the FFA, and student council, and working a part time job on top of all of it.  So her mother decided to go partners with her in the business so it would take some of the stress off her shoulders.

Today her mother now owns the business with CJ. right beside her helping with the selling and promoting.  We now offer the soy candles, wax dipped bears, corncob sachets, smelly jellies, and wax dipped roses. We are always looking to add new ideas and products into the business.  Currently we are hoping to add vacuum air fresheners made from ground corncob, and also create your own candles with shaved wax.

Let your kids explore their ideas and adventures.  They will need your help and you won't have all the answers, but it's all worthwhile.  You gain lots of insight not only about your child,s ideas, but also about who they are. Be there to bail them out, but keep them involved. Starting something together such as a business with your child can be very rewarding; CJ's just happened to evolve from FFA.  CJ's Candle Creations can be seen at many craft shows in Iowa.  We can be reached at (563)-264-3017 or info@cjscandlecreations.com .

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