What do a Florida native, a German shepherd dog and pear spice all have common? Not much, except in the world of Catelyn Czichas. She’s making candles, keeping up with the chaos of two boys and a dog, and hopes you will love her scents. Mama’s Making Candles – a homemade candle company in Tumwater – is all about taking some time out of your day to relax, and realize perfection is overrated.
Originally from a small town in Florida, Catelyn – whom everyone calls Cate – moved to Olympia right after high school. “I moved here when I turned 18 on a whim, desperate for something different,” she explains. “I quickly fell in love with the aura of all Washington offers. I Loved the season changes. The drizzly rain was a nice change up from hurricanes and thunderstorms. I also loved the melting pot of people and culture, it’s crazy how much authentic food I had never tried until I made my move!”
Cate found another reason to stay in the area: she met her husband in 2019 and married him the same year. Their family started with a German shepherd dog named Ozzy, who was followed by their first son in 2020 and then their second son soon after.
Mama’s Making Candles in Tumwater
“My Husband works for the Department of Corrections, which leaves our schedule with little to no flexibility for me to have a fulltime job out of the house,” shares Cate when asked why she wanted to start her own business. “I was never thrilled about the idea of sitting behind a desk all day, so my options were ever smaller to contribute financially to our home. I have always found enjoyment and stress relief in creative expression, I love painting, writing, and reading a good book. Although there isn’t much free time for reading anymore,” she laughs.
It was all of these things together that were the catalyst to start her own candle business, Mama’s Making Candles. Her candles are 100% soy-based and have limited edition flavors for the season, like pear spice – yum! – witch’s brew and bonfire. You can literally smell fall by just lighting one of her delicious candles. While they smell good enough to eat, don’t.
“Everything is made in my home in small hand-poured batches,” shares Cate. “I’d love to sit here and sell my product like it is the best soy candle you will ever have but the truth is, as a stay-at-home mom of two running a business making candles, I know how chaotic life can be. Juggling family, work, and personal obligations can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to get caught up in the quest for perfection. But I’ve come to learn that embracing imperfection is essential to both my sanity and success. Through recognizing the chaos of daily life and cultivating compassion for myself, I’ve found freedom from an obsessive need to control every situation.”
Like the chaos life brings, her candles are from small, limited batches that change often, so order quick to you get your favorites for each season. She just got her business license in August and is already selling out of her limited fall flavors. “With every new customer and every new scent, I am openly supportive of both positive feedback and constructive criticism,” Cate says. “So, I guess what makes my company different is not just my product itself but the heart that goes into it and the support I have for all other small candle businesses, their success and techniques, what I might not have but another business does will always be recommended to my customers!”
Cate offers curbside pick-up, delivery and shipping. You can purchase her candles on Mama’s Making Candles website. Visit the Mama’s Making Candles Facebook page for news and upcoming scents. She is also hoping to soon be selling at the Olympia Farmers Market.
