On Gut Intuition And Candle-Pouring: DeVon Kibble
Today, we’re chatting with one of The Front Market’s Fall 2022 vendors DeVon Kibble of Great Divide Candle Co.
✰ ABOUT DEVON KIBBLE
“My name is DeVon Kibble, I am 27 years old, born and raised in Houston, Texas and I am the owner of Great Divide Candle Co.
We specialize in making luxury, hand-poured, crackling wooden wick candles and wax melts. Our candles are poured in small batches with the finest fragrance and essential oils to ensure the best quality possible. We use 100% soy wax, which means they are non-toxic and are paraben and phthalate free. Our candles have been known to lighten the mood in any room for any occasion! Indulge yourself in luxury with Great Divide Candle Co. I would describe being a candler as one of the best decision I’ve ever made in my life! I worked for seven years at a pharmacy, but realized that it wasn’t something that I wanted to do long-term.
Candle making is therapeutic to me, it keeps me grounded and it’s ultimately something that I love and am very passionate about. I enjoy the feeling that I’m providing a quality product that is going to put a smile on someone’s face.”
Photo courtesy of DeVon Kibble
Q: Our latest market theme was “Metaphorical Community Garden.” What does this mean to you?
A: Reading that question instantly makes me think of you get what you put in or water your garden and it’ll grow. What you pour into others it will definitely come back to you. And that also goes for yourself and self care.
With running a small business, there’s times where I’ll look like a caveman packing orders, staying up late and making sure everything is running smoothly. But, we also have to remember we are human and we deserve breaks, and to treat ourselves. Putting your blood, sweat and tears into your business and craft is great but you still have to remember to take care of yourself in the process.
Q: What comes first, the scent or the feeling?
A: Oh, definitely the feeling. I always like to imagine myself and what I would be doing. So for example, my Summer favorite, California Coastline, was inspired by a trip I took to LA and my best friend and I decided to drive to San Diego, which is about a 2.5-hour drive. We drove down the coast with the windows down; the crisp air and mist from the ocean felt unreal. So I knew I wanted to capture that in a candle and that’s where the inspo for that masterpiece came from.
Also it’s hard! release seasonal collections and I’ll usually start with somewhere close to 15-20 blends, narrowing that down to about 4. That's the hard part, not using some of the great candles that don’t make the final lineup.
Q: When did you start pouring candles and what inspired you to start the Great Divide Candle Co?
A: I actually poured my first candle in either 2018 or 2019, I bought a random candle making kit off of Amazon. I thought it was just something fun to do at the moment. Fast forward to the top of 2020, I was in college for marketing, COVID happened and everything went online. I was working a full-time job, but realized that I wanted more!
I had a conversation with my boyfriend over the phone and asked him, “what if I started making candles?” I was joking but serious all at the same time. Every two weeks when I would get paid from my job, I would buy some sort of candle making supplies or materials. I spent countless hours and many late nights researching and watching videos to absorb as much info as I could.
By the beginning of summer, I had all the materials I needed. I tested my first batch and went on to perfect the candles for months. I officially launched my website on August 28, 2020 and within about five hours the entire site was sold out! The rest is history.
Q: Where did you get the inspiration for the name?
A: Honestly, I get this question a lot and I wish I had a grand, elaborate backstory for the name but honestly it came down to two names: Great Divine or Great Divide. I felt Great Divide packed more of a punch, so that’s what I went with.
Q: Running a small business always has its struggles. What would you tell a budding maker that you would have loved to know?
A: If I had any advice to give to a fellow maker, it would be don’t be afraid to launch and change things as you go. Document your progress. We get so caught up in trying to make sure that everything is perfect before we release or show it to the world but that can hinder us from being our true selves and showing that we’re human too. I say all of this because I’m a perfectionist, too. How ironic.
Also, plan in advance! Christmas in July really means Christmas in July. Get a jumpstart on everything a few months in advance. It will save you time and money, while keeping you from getting overwhelmed.
