Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Judd.
Kimberly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My Candle Making Journey
Made with love in North Carolina.
My journey with candle making began in 2013 out of pure frustration with what I was finding on store shelves. I was tired of buying expensive candles that tunneled, lost their scent after a couple of burns, or contained mystery ingredients and paraffin wax that I didn’t want in my home. After my partner mentioned CandleScience—a trusted supplier located right near me in Durham—I decided to order some basic materials and try making my own. What started as a personal quest for a cleaner, better-burning candle for my own home quickly turned into a passion.
What many people don’t realize is that true candle making is a science. Finding the exact balance between wax type, wick size, and fragrance load takes endless trial and error. Even though friends and family were eager to buy my early creations, I spent over ten years testing, using, and perfecting my formula to create a product line I was truly proud of. Today, Scintillating Candles and Gifts uses premium soy wax—free from paraffin, dyes, and unnecessary additives—paired with professional-grade fragrance oils, keeping the wax its natural, creamy color so it complements any home decor.
Soy wax burns cleanly and efficiently at roughly one ounce every seven hours, and because my candles reset completely flat after every burn, my customers get to enjoy every single ounce they pay for. Beyond candles, I have expanded my line to offer room and linen sprays (perfect for refreshing fabrics, curtains, bed sheets, and clothing), long-lasting wax melts, incense, and car diffusers, which come with a convenient refill with purchase. Every single product and supply is thoroughly tested and sourced from CandleScience to ensure the highest quality.
Times are tough, and my goal isn’t to overcharge—it’s to offer long-lasting, luxury, hand-crafted products that everyone can afford. I put my heart into everything I create, and I’m so excited to share my story and craft with our local community.
Connect & Shop:
* Website: scintillatingcandles.com
* Email: kimberly@scintillatingcandles.com
* Phone: (984) 800-5993
* Social Media: Find us on Facebook at Scintillating Candles and Gifts
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles and Struggles
Like many small business owners, my journey has come with its share of hurdles, with funding being my biggest challenge. I have completely self-financed Scintillating Candles and Gifts from day one without any external loans or assistance, paying for every supply, test batch, and event out of my own pocket. On top of that, I came into this without formal business training, so learning the ins and outs of running and growing a company has been a hands-on, learn-as-you-go process.
Marketing scent-based products presents its own unique obstacle. Candles and home fragrances are deeply sensory—people want to smell them before they buy! While I love connecting with customers in person at local vendor events, growing an online presence is tough when people can’t experience the scents through a screen. Most online orders come from repeat customers who already know and love my products, so finding creative ways to reach and gain the trust of new, out-of-town customers remains an ongoing focus. Despite these hurdles, every challenge has pushed me to be more resourceful, passionate, and dedicated to my craft.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I Do & What Sets Me Apart
I am the owner and creator behind Scintillating Candles and Gifts, founded and operated right here in North Carolina. I specialize in crafting small-batch, premium soy candles, room and linen sprays, wax melts, incense, and car diffusers (which come with a complimentary refill!).
What I am most proud of—and what truly sets my work apart—is my unwavering commitment to quality, freshness, and value:
* True Small-Batch Freshness: I intentionally never mass-produce. I make products in small batches or to order so they never sit on a shelf losing their potency. This ensures that every customer receives a fresh candle with a rich, long-lasting scent throw.
* Unmatched Confidence in Quality: I stand behind my work 100%. Once at an event, a customer who had already bought candles elsewhere was hesitant to try mine. I told her if she tried my candle and wasn’t completely blown away, she could call me for a full refund. She not only kept the candle, but she was so impressed that she sent me a moving email and posted a glowing review online about her experience.
* Over a Decade of Scientific Craftsmanship: Candle making is a true science. I spent over ten years testing and perfecting my formulas to ensure that every wax blend, wick size, and fragrance load works together in perfect balance.
* Clean & Elegant Ingredients: My candles are made with 100% premium soy wax—completely free of paraffin, dyes, and unnecessary additives or preservatives. I intentionally keep the wax its natural, creamy color so it looks timeless, elegant, and fits seamlessly into any home decor.
* Maximum Performance & Value: Soy wax burns efficiently at approximately one ounce every seven hours. Because my candles are formulated to reset completely flat after every burn, there is zero wasted wax stuck to the sides of the jar. My customers get every single drop they pay for.
At the end of the day, I take deep personal pride in everything I make. I’m actively working to grow my Google reviews so more people discover my work, but nothing makes me prouder than seeing firsthand how much joy these products bring to my community.
We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
What Role Has Luck Played in Your Life and Business?
I don’t really look at my journey through the lens of good or bad luck. Instead, I see everything as God’s will. Whether something wonderful happens or I face a difficult challenge, I believe there is always a purpose behind it.
When bad things or setbacks happen, I don’t give up—I take those moments, learn from them, and find a way to turn them into positive experiences. And when good things happen, I use them to build momentum. At the end of the day, I just pray, put my trust in God’s hands, and keep pressing forward.
That mindset is what keeps me going. Word of my business is slowly getting out there, more and more people are discovering and buying my products, and every step forward feels earned. As long as I keep putting in the hard work and holding onto my faith, I know what’s meant to be will be.
Pricing:
- 8 oz. Signature Soy Candles: $15.00
- 16 oz. Signature Soy Candles: $20.00
- 16 oz. Premium Fragrance Line Candles: $25.00
- Additional Products (Room & Linen Sprays, Car Diffusers, Wax Melts, Incense): Full pricing and product details are available directly on my website at scintillatingcandles.com.
Contact Info:
- Email: Scintillatingcandles@yahoo.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18FCHw5ksU/
