Today we’d like to introduce you to Eva Leone-Kelley.
Hi Eva, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am proud to have been born and raised in Minnesota, More than 20 years ago I began making candles, soaps, and body scrubs out of necessity. Luxury self-care products were not in the budget, so I learned to create them myself. What started as a practical solution quickly became a passion; for years I crafted handmade products exclusively for myself, family and friends.
Then, in September 2025, everything changed. My oldest son, Domonic, asked if I could create candles using the same scents as his beard oils after women in his office repeatedly complimented the fragrance and asked if candles were available. It was vital to create luxury products that are affordable and safe.
That simple question sparked something bigger. I told my husband, “This is the perfect business to create for our family. I may be the face of the company, but my sister, children, and grandchildren are what make it possible. After two major back surgeries and being told I have the back of a 90-year-old, I’m limited in what I can do. I literally could not do this without them.”
With that leap of faith, Eva’s Elegant Gifts was born. We craft beautiful, long-lasting, non-toxic luxury candles, moisturizing soaps, and body scrubs. We believe everyone deserves products that are elegant, effective, responsibly made, and good for humans, pets, and Mother Earth. 🙂
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting with absolutely nothing, I built an entire business — from product development to branding, packaging, and a fully functioning online store. The first website alone took three weeks, countless cups of coffee, and yes… more than a few tears. Anyone who says building a website takes “10 minutes” has clearly never built one from scratch.
After eight years of retirement, jumping back into technology, e-commerce platforms, and learning an entirely new digital language was no small challenge. There were supplier delays, technical frustrations, and plenty of moments when I questioned whether I could pull it off. Customer serice with other companies is not what it used to be. But I did not do it alone. This business is truly a family creation.
My husband, Anthony, and my sister, Kim, are my biggest supporters and helped shape this vision into reality. We have our weekly Thursday meetings with hot tea in hand! Their love and encouragement means the world to me. My youngest son, Nick, lends his computer and design skills to product naming and signage.
My daughter, Selena, helps handcraft our candles (including the not-so-glamorous jar-wicking process, which somehow we’ve made fun). They work long hours making soaps, scrubs, and candles without complaint, fully recognizing the potential of this company. Seeing them help at craft fairs and watching how naturally they interact with customers makes me incredibly proud!
Perhaps my favorite part: my grandchildren helped design our children’s soap line, choosing the scents and designs themselves. Seeing them rush to wash their hands because they love the products they helped create warms my heart.
Today, Eva’s Elegant Gifts is proudly available online, in-store at Final Sales / Better Than Moms Macaroons in St. Cloud, MN, and at Grande Shops in Casa Grande, AZ.
Building a business from the ground up — while wearing every hat imaginable — has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life.
Eva’s Elegant Gifts is more than a business. It’s proof that it’s never too late to begin again, that family is the greatest foundation, and that something beautiful can grow from a leap of faith.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My career journey has been anything but ordinary. Over the years I’ve worn many hats — As an Event Manager, coordinating large wedding and corporate events for hundreds of guests, working in real estate, bartending, cable installation, and delivery driving, etc. As a single mother of four, I often worked full-time corporate jobs during the day and took on second jobs in the evenings and weekends to provide for my children.
After 40 years in the workforce, I have learned that the key to success is to never stop learning. Over the years, I successfully secured roles that required a bachelor’s degree, even without one. This was possible because I believe that true people skills—the ability to relate to any customer—cannot be taught in a classroom. Treating every individual with fairness, respect, and the dignity they deserve is the cornerstone of my business philosophy. I have synthesized the diverse skills from my career to build this company, and I know my mother would be proud to see me following in her footsteps. I truly miss her & wish she could see what we have created.
Our long-burning scented candles offer 55+ hours of burn time, made with a high-quality coconut-soy blend and ECO wicks. They are non-toxic and free from toxins, ensuring a clean and soothing experience. Our premium soothing chamomile and nourishing coconut oil soaps are eco-friendly and safe for sensitive skin, even making kids want to wash their hands! Our 20+ year recipe moisturizing body scrub is expertly crafted to exfoliate and nourish. Its handmade formulation uses raw sugar crystals to gently remove dead skin, while natural moisturizing agents like coconut oil and shea butter deeply hydrate.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Most people take one look at me and would never guess how I love the outdoors. Raised with a deep appreciation for the outdoors, I grew up in the country riding motorcycles, hunting, (even gutting my own deer), fishing, cutting wood, working on cars, etc. This rugged upbringing taught me self-reliance, yet I am equally at home enjoying fine dining and attending the Minnesota Orchestra. I am a firm believer that you should never judge a book by its cover.
Pricing:
- $5.00 – $6.00 for Kids Soaps- fun amazing smells
- $5.00 – $6.00 for Premium Moisturizing Bar Soap
- $15.00 for Moisturizing Body Scrubs
- $20.00 for Luxury Long Lasting Candles
- you get a price break with all products when you buy 2 or more
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.evaselegantgifts.com
- Instagram: @evaselegantgifts
- Facebook: Eva’sElegantGifts
- Youtube: @evaselegantgifts
