Today we’d like to introduce you to Wennicha Yang.
Hi Wennicha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hi! My name is Wennicha Yang. I am a spiritual intuitive and candle-maker from St. Paul, MN.
Candle-making emerged as a way for me to feel connected to myself. In 2019, I was under a lot of stress from my previous job and I needed a creative outlet during the global pandemic. I began working with my hands as a way to channel my stress away from my head space, and candle-making became a therapeutic hobby as I learned to mix my favorite botanicals, scents, and waxes together. Each time I made and lit a candle, I was reminded that I, too, was a spark. I, too, needed to take tender care of my flame.
I began to light candles for loved ones who passed as the pandemic went on. I would create a memorial for them in my home and make a candle to honor them. I would light their candles and send loving thoughts, prayers, and warmth their way. Ultimately, I prayed that the warmth and intentions from my candles would reach them and fill their souls with light.
In July 2021, I lost my precious little brother, Brian Walters Yang. Three months before he passed away, Brian and I shared a conversation about the great beyond. He asked me curiously, “What happens to us after we pass?” I shared with him that I believed we continued to live on, but with a different purpose: we continued to navigate the world as ancestors and infinite beings. Later in that conversation, I told Brian that I believed we shared an infinite connection because we carried such a kind, loving, supportive sibling relationship, and I raised the belief that perhaps we had always played a part in each other’s past lives. We just don’t remember it.
Brian sat in silence, giving him time to process my message, and in his most stern voice, said he agreed. He shared with me that he believed we had always been in each other’s multiple incarnated lives, and that we will continue to be infinitely connected to each other even after we passed.
When Brian passed away in July, I did not know these words would come back to guide me as I grieved.
I believe that even though Brian is no longer alive with me in the physical plane, he is alive in the spiritual world – in the land of our ancestors. Though I am terribly devastated about his passing, I truly believe our connection remains alive. Love after death after life has no bounds because love transcends.
My candle-company is called “The Infinite” in honor of the infinite connection I share with my precious little brother. Every candle I make is an extension of my love for him. “The Infinite” is in commemoration of the infinite connections we all share with our ancestors, the universe, and ourselves.
When people receive my candles, I hope that their lives are filled with warmth and joy because they are made with the deepest and purest intentions of love. I hope they feel infinitely connected to the divine connections they seek through the power of my candles.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Launching was the hardest part! I originally wanted to launch my candles in June 2021 but I felt the timing wasn’t right. Originally, my candle company was going to be named something else to honor its way of helping me reconnect with my mind, body, and spirit. But my reason for making candles had transformed throughout the months as I began to lose friends, acquaintances, and prominent figures in the community due to social injustices and COVID; in addition to lighting candles for myself and my well-being, I began lighting candles to send love to others. I was looking for a name to help me encompass all of the reasons candles became meaningful to me.
During the July 4th weekend, I visited Brian in Seattle. It was the first time we had seen each other since our global pandemic. Brian moved to Seattle in NOV 2019 to serve as a 1st Lieutenant to the US Army’s 513th Transportation Company, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command. In Brian’s apartment, I noticed he had many candles lying around and I bantered about how I could make him the best candle he’s ever had. Brian was excited. But I never got to give it to him as he passed away two weeks after in an unforeseeable tragic accident.
After Brian passed away in July 2021, I spent many days channeling my grief through candle-making. Eventually, my thoughts and heart guided me to our conversation around our infinite connection. That conversation was so meaningful to me that I knew I wanted to name my candle company in honor of our relationship – our infinite connection.
As a Hmong American, I believe in past lives and reincarnation. Spirituality is a large component of my identity. It was a big part of Brian’s and my way of living. For someone to recognize themselves as infinite means that they feel connected to themselves, their community, planet, universe, ancestors, and higher beings – that they feel oneness with all. The passing of a loved one feels brutal, but I truly believe death is not the end. It is only a transformation of the soul. To be infinite is to feel connected.
I finally launched my business in NOV 2021 after I had time to grieve and redefine my business plan. I feel like I’ve had an immense amount of support since I launched my candle company. The stories behind each of my candles are like a reflection of my healing journey. My grief is the weight of my love, and my grief has encouraged me to pour my love for my little brother into the community through candle-making. I want the world to know about how meaningful Brian was to me. I want to inspire others to be intentional with how they connect with themselves and loved ones.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Infinite is a womxn-of-color owned candle company that aims to provide a therapeutic and spiritual process for folks to slow down, reground, honor their being, and feel infinitely connected to the divine by the ritual of lighting a candle.
I combine my favorite botanicals and fragrance oils with soy wax to create the most beautiful and therapeutic candles. My best-selling candles would be “Fresh Apples” and “Tropical Starbursts.” Apples have long been a symbol of love, knowledge, and power. “Fresh Apples” was the candle that was dedicated to my little brother, Brian, because he was well-remembered for his intelligence, kindness, love, bravery and courage.
Online customers can include a special message to be mailed with their candles. This works perfectly for gift giving.
Customers can also make bulk or costumed orders for larger quantity candles for events such as weddings, baby showers, bridal parties, graduations, gatherings, etc.
“May you feel the infinite connections you desire by the power of our candles.”
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
You can purchase candles online through Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/
Follow The Infinite Candle Company on Instagram or Facebook @theinfinitecandlecompany for special updates, promotions, and storytelling.
Pricing:
- Candles are priced between $12 – $28 per candle. Please visit our website for more details.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInfiniteCandleCo
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theinfinitecandlecompany/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinfinitecandlecompany/
Image Credits
Wennicha Yang
