Meet Jenae Douglas: Candle Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jenae Douglas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jenae, Let’s talk about principles and values – what matters to you most?
One of the values that matters most to me when it comes to my business (and in general) is thoughtfulness. From an early age I was able to witness my mother demonstrate thoughtfulness in all of her friendships and familial relationships. I very quickly understood the positive impact that thoughtfulness has on others and yourself. I would be with my mom in the store and she’d see something that reminded her of one of her friends and say, “Oh, ______ would love that! That looks just like her, I’m gonna get this for her.” My mother never hesitated to call and let someone know she was thinking of them or send them a card as a, “Just because” gesture. I admire the way she was always thinking of others and how she could make them feel special and appreciated. As I’ve developed my own relationships and friendships, I found myself holding tight to that same sort of thoughtfulness. Thoughtfulness isn’t always about gifting, but I pride myself on being a thoughtful gift giver. I really love when I find something that is perfect for someone and I know they will enjoy it or get a lot of use out of it. I used that same sort of thinking when it came to developing our business. The inspiration for Notes From Home Candles comes from leaving love notes around the house for yourself or someone else. Each one of our candles is uniquely named as if it’s a love note and and is inspired by specific areas throughout ones home. They make for amazing gifts and come with anecdotal stories that give further explanation of the inspiration behind each candle. Every order I send out comes with a personalized handwritten note – something that is very important to me. I really love to express gratitude and I love when someone takes time and goes the extra mile. Handwritten notes just automatically feel like you were thinking of that person, and always go over well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve spent the last decade of my career being a visual storyteller for network television. I knew that I wanted to combine my love of storytelling with building a candle brand and thus, Notes From Home Candles was born. In my opinion, candle making is a form of storytelling. Each candle with all of its combined fragrance notes tells a story – whether through triggering a memory, setting a particular mood, or channeling a destination/locale. While transitioning from producing television to candle making, I came to realize and there’s a lot more in common with the two than I initially understood. Both have their own unique science, rhythm, and of course include a story. For our brand, authenticity is key. Being open and transparent isn’t always easy, however I share these anecdotal stories whether funny, embarrassing, or inspirational because I’m being true to myself and having fun. As a result of being open, I’ve found that I have a lot of relatable content that resonates with people. At the end of the day you of course want a great product, but people also really enjoy feeling connected to a brand – that’s our focus and that’s what’s keeping us busy.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We’re Chicago based, so I’ll answer with our city in mind. If my best friend(s) were in town for the weekend one of the first things I’d do was get them settled into our home and you better believe the guest room would be outfitted with some of our favorite Notes From Home Candles scents. I love entertaining at home but there’s nothing like painting the town red. One of the first stops in the city would be Punch House in Pilsen. I looove the vibe here. It’s less daunting than going to the club, the punch is amazing, and the DJs do not disappoint. For brunch we’re heading to either Batter and Berries or Freemont if the day calls for partying. You cannot come to Chicago and not get a picture in front of “The Bean” it’s law. Walking the lakefront is also vv important. The people watching alone is enough for me. Antique Tacos in Wicker Park is a favorite for a quick bite. Their tacos are unique and tasty. However, are you really a friend if you don’t take your friends to get some iconic Harold’s Chicken?! The answer is no.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d love to shoutout my co-owner and husband, Alex Douglas. A true creative at heart, I’ve always got a ton of ideas swirling around of things I’d like to do, dreams I’d like to pursue. Sometimes I’m so in my head I become a victim of analysis paralysis. It has been a dream and a passion of mine for years to start my own candle company. I’ve always talked about the idea and my husband recognized early on in our relationship that I had a unique gift when it came to scenting spaces. Early last year, I kept talking about wanting to make a move on the candle business, but had not taken any real steps to do so. My husband gave me the extra push I needed. He started the initial order of all the supplies I needed and really put a battery in my back letting me know I had this! A year later we’re up and running and so excited about the reception we’ve had. Alex is the best partner in life and business, AND he packages every single order to perfection.

Website: Notesfromhomecandles.com

Instagram: @notesfromhomecandles

Facebook: Notes From Home Candles