Today we’d like to introduce you to Asha Duong
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
It starts with knowing my roots. As a Hmong American, I carry an 8000-year history of the people of the Earth. My love for gardening and community is in my blood. Kaihua Candles began with a simple desire to share a piece of my story and my mom’s garden. Walking in her garden always felt like coming home, surrounded by her blooms, finding peace, and listening to her wisdom as she showed us what was budding and growing each season. During the challenges of the pandemic, I often walked in her garden, finding comfort in the soothing scents and peaceful presence of her flowers. During these moments, I planted the seeds to create kaihua candles. At first, it was a means to share this comfort through floral-adorned candles with loved ones only, but as my mom taught me, nature and blooms are meant to be shared. So, I created sustainable, non-toxic candles that would bridge culture, nature, and the feeling of home and connection for everyone. I chose Kaihua to celebrate my husband’s Chinese heritage, which means ‘blossom.’ In just a few months, Kaihua Candles continues to flourish. From markets and retail partnerships to local customer deliveries, we love growing and connecting with our community! The Kaihua Candles’ mission is simple: to create candles that transform spaces into garden-like sanctuaries and instill moments of calm and beauty so that everyone who encounters our candles can continuously bloom.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
Running a small business with a full-time career is much like tending to a garden—it demands patience, adaptability, and continuous learning. As a gardener who learns through trial and error, I’ve navigated the challenges of growing this small business with patience, a strong focus on sustainability, and constantly reminding myself why I started. From sourcing sustainable materials and top-quality products to cultivating partnerships that align with our values, I work hard to make every decision thoughtfully. I started Kaihua Candles as an expression of my love for my mom and flowers, so it’s important to me that each step reflects my core values. The challenges I’ve faced have been growth opportunities. I’m grateful to my sweet customers, family, and friends for supporting this little dream so far, and I’m having so much fun creating beautiful candles for people to enjoy.
We’ve been impressed with Kaihua Candles, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart?
Kaihua Candles blossomed at the intersection of my passions for culture, flowers, sustainability, and my mom’s love. As this local business’s Creative Director and Founder, I partner with brands and spaces that align with our values. We create handcrafted, eco-friendly candles to elevate spaces and instill tranquility and beauty. Our commitment to sustainability and elevating brand experiences sets us apart. In addition to our signature candle offerings, Kaihua Candles offers custom candle creations. We’ve collaborated with some small boutiques to curate custom scents and branded candles that reflect their unique identities.
Moreover, we’ve had the pleasure of crafting personalized candle favors for multiple bridal showers. We feel so lucky to play a small role in our customers’ special milestones! I’m particularly proud of the connections we’ve grown with our customers, clients, and local vendors, as these relationships enrich our journey and inspire us to continue creating candles that resonate deeply with others.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important quality for our success at Kaihua Candles is the authenticity of our story. Our candles are not just products but expressions of our heritage, values, and commitment to transparency. By staying true to our roots and sharing our journey with our customers, we create meaningful connections and experiences that resonate with them. This authenticity drives everything we do, from sustainable practices to creating welcoming spaces through candles.
Pricing:
- Kaihua Candle, Collection No. 1, $12
- Inquire for custom branded candles
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kaihua_candles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557198966159
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KaihuaCandles
