Meet Rian Bluhm

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

Hi Rian, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I have always wanted to have my own business since I was an art student in college. The idea of making something with my own hands has always been exciting, so why not make some money doing something I love. It took several ideas, iterations and many hours of research to find something that was both fun and filled a need.
I found that several people like me were sensitive to soy and synthetic fragrance in market candles. Through this research I found several studies on the benefits of beeswax and sought beeswax candles for myself but couldn’t find them readily available. So, I decided to start making and selling the healthiest beeswax candles I could make.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always wanted to make things with my hands. Drove my teachers nuts because I was always drawing in class. I went to college for graphic design but changed my major to wild life biology but school just wasn’t for me. That’s when I decided to start my own business making things. Started out with home decor products like wreaths and acrylic pours but my style is a bit eclectic and I get bored easily. Then I started researching candles and was shocked to learn all the toxins in regular market candles! No wonder I was getting migraines every time I would light one.
Going back to my wild life biology classes I had learned about bees and beeswax benefits and the idea was born, I could make clean beeswax candles!
I researched everything from where to get beeswax to finding clean scents made from essential oils and extracts. It was a challenge getting started but I was fuled by the desire to help people by giving them access to a clean candle.
Our mission at Honey and Ash is to first educate buyers to be aware of the toxins in market candles, to look at the wax being used and the fragrances. Secondly to be eco friendly, everything we use is reusable or recyclable including our packaging and containers.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We have actually been all over Colorado the first year we were here traveling from pop up to pop up market. The first place we would visit is Denver’s art museum. Being an art student this place feeds that passion to create! Next would be Estes Park, again very eclectic and just plain beautiful! Driving the winding roads then you pop around that last corner and there it is!
Amusement parks is my next passion, so to Glenwood Springs we would go to ride the roller-coaster on the mountain.
For shopping therapy Old Colorado City is a definite must plus the food is the best!!
To finish the week take the train to the top of Pikes Peak! The views are breathtaking!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout would be for my mom. Without her encouragement and day to day support I couldn’t do this. She is my volunteer business manager, salesman, event organizer and marketing idea person.
She has many years as a product manager in her field and she has been willing to offer any help and advice over these last several years to get my business off the ground.

Website: https://honeyandash.store

Instagram: Honeyandashco