How a Side-Hustle Creating Sustainable Candles Became a Brand
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Customer spotlight: Pacific Candle Company
At Pacific Candle Company, every flickering flame tells a tale. A story of creativity, resilience, and a deep-rooted love for the sensory magic of scent. Founded in 2015 by Halie Molino, a Southern California native with a dream, this small business grew from a college side-hustle into a beloved brand, bringing warmth and beauty into homes with luxurious, sustainable candles. We at Avery are proud to highlight the success this hard-working entrepreneur has achieved.
How it started
The journey began with a simple yet bold idea. “I started Pacific Candle Company to help pay for college,” Halie recalls. “But it was more than that—I’ve always been drawn to creativity and the way a scent can transform a space, evoking a memory or a feeling.”
What began as a practical solution quickly became a passion project—creating sustainable candles that elevate everyday moments. Within just three months of that initial spark in 2015, Pacific Candle Company was born—selling first to friends and family, then expanding to Etsy, all while Halie worked long hours perfecting wax blends, wicks, and fragrance throws.
That first candle? A humble citrus blend. “The wick was off-center, and the scent didn’t carry as far as I wanted,” she admitted. “But I was so proud. It was proof I could create something real.” That set the tone for what was to come.
Building a brand
Running a small business isn’t without its hurdles. “Marketing has been the biggest challenge,” Halie said. “I’m not a natural salesperson, so learning to pitch my candles with confidence took time.” Yet that growth mirrors the brand’s own evolution—refining what works, letting go of what doesn’t. She uses sales data as her guide and if a scent isn’t resonating, she phases it out and focuses on what customers love. Halie has expanded her line now to include room sprays, car diffusers and travel candles.
Balancing creativity with the grind of entrepreneurship is an art form in itself. A loose schedule keeps operations humming, but flexibility is key. “I leave room for inspiration,” she said. “That freedom keeps me motivated.”
What’s surprised her most? The loyalty of her customers. “Seeing people return year after year—for gifts, custom candles, or their go-to scents—means everything. My candles have become part of their lives.”
Standout moments punctuate the journey: partnering with Madewell for pop-ups, a dream validation from a brand she admires, and crafting custom candles for businesses that return annually. “Those connections remind me why I do this,” she said.
Shaped by the coast
Growing up along the sun-drenched coast of Southern California left an indelible mark on the brand. “Citrus and floral notes have always spoken to me,” Halie explained. “They remind me of warm breezes through orange groves and lazy days by the ocean.” Over time, those bright, effortless scents evolved into more sophisticated, layered profiles, but the coastal elegance remains Pacific Candle Company’s signature. It’s a nod to home—a thread that ties every candle back to Halie’s roots.
For Halie, her candles are more than products—they’re moments of quiet luxury. “I want customers to feel relaxed and elevated when they light one of my candles,” she shared. “Scent can transport you to a memory or bring calm to a busy day.” She loves that her vision has become part of her customers’ most memorable moments when they order custom candles for events like weddings, birthdays, and celebrations of life.
“It’s an incredible honor to have my candles play a part in such meaningful life moments. Knowing that people have tied my scents to those memories is one of the most rewarding aspects of what I do.”
-Halie Molino
The Avery difference
Behind every Pacific Candle Company creation is a commitment to quality—and that extends to the packaging. Early on, Halie discovered Avery labels through research, drawn to their reputation for reliability and design versatility. “Being a Southern California company too, it felt like a natural fit,” she said. The user-friendly Avery website, premium materials, and glossy finishes won her over. “The quality and ease of use are unmatched,” she said. “I can create a sophisticated look that matches my brand’s aesthetic.”
While her glass candle jars are embossed, Halie uses Round Textured Paper Labels on her metal candle tins and she also uses small Glossy Rectangle Labels to seal her boxed candles.
“Packaging is the first thing a customer sees,” Halie said. “A clean, well-designed label sets the tone for the luxury inside.” Whether it’s the glossy shine of her core collection or textured labels for artisanal custom candles, she can find what she needs for labeling. “Their labels hold up beautifully, even with heat and handling,” she said. “That durability is why I trust them.”
Halie says opting for Avery custom printing was a game-changer. “I could never match their consistency on my own,” she says. “Outsourcing lets me focus on what I love—creating candles.”
Behind the brand
For Haile, self-care is as vital as candle-making. “The beach is my reset,” she said. “A walk by the waves or a quiet moment with a book grounds me.” Morning workouts bring clarity, fueling the energy to keep Pacific Candle Company thriving. Halie sums up her business in three words: “Elevated, luxurious, sustainable candles.”
Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? “Don’t wait for things to be perfect before you start. Speed is your friend—you’ll learn more by doing than by overthinking. Start small, test your product, and make adjustments as you go.”
Discover more of Halie’s story and explore her latest candle collections at Pacific Candle Company, and don’t forget to follow her journey on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.
Halie’s journey is just one of many inspiring stories from our community. Check out more of our customer spotlights and see how other creators are building their brands with Avery.
