Meet Michelle Barnes | Candle Maker & Social Worker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michelle Barnes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michelle, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
With the owner’s background in social work, we knew giving back to the community was a must. We donate 10% of our profit to Standup for Kids, a non-profit organization that empowers and counsels homeless and at-risk youth. This population is dear to our hearts as we believe in the empowerment and resilience of youth. It’s nice to think that in addition to a customer adding serenity to their home with the purchase of our candles, they are also helping a youth in need.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
In creating our candle company, we aimed to have a collection of pleasant, dreamy, and unique scents. One of the best compliments from customers is when they are surprised they love every single scent because when smelling other candles, they like a few but not all of them. While our candles will fill up a room, they are not overpowering which makes them great even for people who are more sensitive to scents. Something else that sets us apart is the look of our candles. When people see our candles, one of the first things they point out is the sleek look of our candles with the matte black jar. We love our branding because it’s modern and simple while also looking luxurious. I’m also proud of how different our candles are from popular trends in the candle industry including use of amber glass and mason jars. Our first year in business has been one of growth, and we’re very excited for what’s to come.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Whenever friends or family visit Denver, I like to spend a few days with them in the city and in nature (ie. mountains or forest). Some of my favorite places in the city include Tennyson St in Berkeley area, Broadway in Baker area, Commons Park in LODO area, and Cheeseman Park in Capitol Hill area. Favorite food spots are The Pasty Republic, Music City Hot Chicken, Jinya Ramen, 5280 Burger Bar, and Maine Shack. My favorite places outside of the city to take people are Rocky Mountain NP and Red Rocks Amphitheater.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Definitely my boyfriend, Andrew. He’s constantly encouraging me to dream bigger, while providing emotional support and positive feedback on all my pursuits. At the times when I have self-doubt, he’s there to remind me of my accomplishments and capabilities. For all of this and more, I am extremely grateful for his presence in my life. It’s wonderful to have a partner who is kind, intelligent, and humble, and does anything to put a smile on my face.

Website: https://www.glassellcandleco.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/glassellcandleco

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glassellcandleco