{"id":12497,"date":"2025-04-18T08:06:21","date_gmt":"2025-04-18T15:06:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/?p=12497"},"modified":"2026-04-16T17:42:11","modified_gmt":"2026-04-17T00:42:11","slug":"customer-spotlight-pacific-candle-company","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.avery.com\/blog\/customer-spotlight-pacific-candle-company\/","title":{"rendered":"How a Side-Hustle Creating Sustainable Candles Became a Brand"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Customer spotlight: Pacific Candle Company<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At Pacific Candle Company<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How it started<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The journey began with a simple yet bold idea. \u201cI started Pacific Candle Company to help pay for college,\u201d Halie recalls. \u201cBut it was more than that\u2014I\u2019ve always been drawn to creativity and the way a scent can transform a space, evoking a memory or a feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pacific Candle Company Founder Halie Molino<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

What began as a practical solution quickly became a passion project\u2014creating sustainable candles that elevate everyday moments. Within just three months of that initial spark in 2015, Pacific Candle Company was born\u2014selling first to friends and family, then expanding to Etsy<\/a>, all while Halie worked long hours perfecting wax blends, wicks, and fragrance throws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That first candle? A humble citrus blend. \u201cThe wick was off-center, and the scent didn\u2019t carry as far as I wanted,\u201d she admitted. \u201cBut I was so proud. It was proof I could create something real.\u201d That set the tone for what was to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Building a brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Halie’s line has grown to include travel candles, room sprays & car diffusers.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Running a small business isn\u2019t without its hurdles. \u201cMarketing has been the biggest challenge,\u201d Halie said. \u201cI\u2019m not a natural salesperson, so learning to pitch my candles with confidence took time.\u201d Yet that growth mirrors the brand\u2019s own evolution\u2014refining what works, letting go of what doesn\u2019t. She uses sales data as her guide and if a scent isn\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Balancing creativity with the grind of entrepreneurship is an art form in itself. A loose schedule keeps operations humming, but flexibility is key. \u201cI leave room for inspiration,\u201d she said. \u201cThat freedom keeps me motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s surprised her most? The loyalty of her customers. \u201cSeeing people return year after year\u2014for gifts, custom candles, or their go-to scents\u2014means everything. My candles have become part of their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standout moments punctuate the journey: partnering with Madewell<\/a> for pop-ups, a dream validation from a brand she admires, and crafting custom candles for businesses that return annually. \u201cThose connections remind me why I do this,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shaped by the coast<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Growing up along the sun-drenched coast of Southern California left an indelible mark on the brand. \u201cCitrus and floral notes have always spoken to me,\u201d Halie explained. \u201cThey remind me of warm breezes through orange groves and lazy days by the ocean.\u201d Over time, those bright, effortless scents evolved into more sophisticated, layered profiles, but the coastal elegance remains Pacific Candle Company\u2019s signature. It\u2019s a nod to home\u2014a thread that ties every candle back to Halie’s roots.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Halie, her candles are more than products\u2014they\u2019re moments of quiet luxury. \u201cI want customers to feel relaxed and elevated when they light one of my candles,\u201d she shared. \u201cScent can transport you to a memory or bring calm to a busy day.\u201d She loves that her vision has become part of her customers\u2019 most memorable moments when they order custom candles for events like weddings, birthdays, and celebrations of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s 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.\u201d<\/p>-Halie Molino<\/cite><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Avery difference<\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Behind every Pacific Candle Company creation is a commitment to quality\u2014and that extends to the packaging. Early on, Halie discovered Avery labels through research, drawn to their reputation for reliability and design versatility. \u201cBeing a Southern California company too, it felt like a natural fit,\u201d she said. The user-friendly Avery website, premium materials, and glossy finishes won her over. \u201cThe quality and ease of use are unmatched,\u201d she said. \u201cI can create a sophisticated look that matches my brand\u2019s aesthetic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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While her glass candle jars are embossed, Halie uses Round Textured Paper Labels<\/a> on her metal candle tins and she also uses small Glossy Rectangle Labels<\/a> to seal her boxed candles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPackaging is the first thing a customer sees,\u201d Halie said. \u201cA clean, well-designed label sets the tone for the luxury inside.\u201d Whether it\u2019s the glossy shine of her core collection or textured labels for artisanal custom candles, she can find what she needs for labeling. \u201cTheir labels hold up beautifully, even with heat and handling,\u201d she said. \u201cThat durability is why I trust them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halie says opting for Avery custom printing was a game-changer. \u201cI could never match their consistency on my own,\u201d she says. \u201cOutsourcing lets me focus on what I love\u2014creating candles.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behind the brand<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

For Haile, self-care is as vital as candle-making. \u201cThe beach is my reset,\u201d she said. \u201cA walk by the waves or a quiet moment with a book grounds me.\u201d Morning workouts bring clarity, fueling the energy to keep Pacific Candle Company thriving. Halie sums up her business in three words: \u201cElevated, luxurious, sustainable candles.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? \u201cDon\u2019t wait for things to be perfect before you start. Speed is your friend\u2014you\u2019ll learn more by doing than by overthinking. Start small, test your product, and make adjustments as you go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover more of Halie\u2019s story and explore her latest candle collections at Pacific Candle Company<\/a>, and don\u2019t forget to follow her journey on Facebook<\/a>, Instagram<\/a> and Pinterest.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Halie\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n