Meet Alisha Moreno | Candle maker

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

Hi Alisha, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I have always been a candle lover. One year I had mentioned that I would love to try and make my own candles. I received a candle making kit as a Christmas gift. I started making candles as gifts for family and friends during the holidays. After word of mouth began to spread, I had people who would reach out to me via social media to see how they could go about placing an order. It wasn’t until 2019 that I really began to transform a hobby into a small business. It was then that I created Soy Good Candles YV. My candles and products are now sold locally in 3 different stores, Desert Nest in Yucca Valley, Perfectly Unique in 29, and Soul Connection in Joshua Tree This year, I expanded the reach of my eco-friendly products by creating a website. All of my candles are made with 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and phthalate free fragrances.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
When someone makes a purchase from my business, they are buying more than just the product. They are buying a piece of my heart, parts of my time, and they are supporting my passion. Candle making is not all successes, it takes trial and error sometimes. I pour my heart into every product I make. While candle making is what I love to do, I also have a strong passion for helping people. I am currently awaiting to hear back from physician assistant programs that I’ve applied to. I have worked in healthcare for 20 years and have always found gratification in helping people and look forward to continuing to pursue this passion. However, candle making allows me to get lost in creating and I absolutely love it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to explore when coming to visit the Hi-Desert. A great place to grab breakfast to start your day off is C&S, which has the best breakfast and a hidden gem in Yucca Valley. Our community has many talented people and unique shops. If you’re looking to do some shopping then stopping in at Desert Nest is a must. If you want to find locally made items or art then heading to downtown Joshua Tree will provide just what you’re looking for. Soul Connection is a great shop that carries a variety of locally made items. From there, walk to the JT Saloon to grab a bite to eat or a drink to quench your thirst. Every Saturday, you can catch the Joshua Tree Farmer’s market to stock up on fresh produce. If you’re coming to visit our desert community then heading to the Joshua Tree National Park has to be on the list of things to do. Check out Key’s View in the Park for breathtaking views. If you want to do some light hiking then check out 49 Palms. Another place to check out is the Morongo Preserve. Here, you will feel that you have found a desert oasis and might even see bighorn sheep while strolling through the trails. A popular place among locals and tourists is Pappy & Harriets in Pioneertown. The historic buildings surrounding this property will make you feel like you have stepped back in time.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My success is owed to many. My family, friends, and customers. I would like to give a special thanks to Dawn Davis who is the owner of Soul Connection in Joshua Tree, CA. She found me on social media and reached out to have my candles in her shop. From a business relationship turned friendship, she has been a big supporter for my small business and everything that I do in life. I would also like to acknowledge Jenifer Batin, owner of Desert Nest and Emily Staggs, owner of Perfectly Unique in 29 who also carry my candles in their stores. Thank you for giving me a platform to make my candles available to locals and tourists. Above all, thank you for your continued support. I am so lucky to have a strong support system from my family and friends. To my boyfriend Eric, who purchased my candle making kit as a gift, I thank you for your constant love and support. To my daughter Kaya, you are my inspiration and the reason I am so driven. To my friends, thank you for believing in me. Finally to my customers, my business would not be what it is today without all of you! Out of the many choices you have, thank you for choosing Soy Good Candles YV.

Website: www.soygoodcandlesyv.com

Instagram: Soygoodcandlesyv

Facebook: Soy Good Candles-YV