We’re Chris and Cyndi Hileman, co-founders of The Growing Candle and business Hyggelight. Since the day we met we’ve been madly searching for a great business venture. We wanted to bring something of value to people that also meant something to us.
Hygge (hoo-gah) is the concept of finding the special moments in everyday living- spending quality time with people, enjoying the outdoors and creating an atmosphere of coziness. The Growing Candle does just that and more – a zero-waste product that starts as a luxurious candle and transforms into a pot of wildflowers creating a healthy atmosphere for you and the planet.
Our family business in Toledo, Ohio is passionate about eco-friendly manufacturing, producing less than one household garbage bag of waste per month, and leading the reusable “growing candle” industry. We hope you enjoy our candles as much as we enjoy making them for you!
Forever Hygge-Inspired + Planet Obsessed,
Chris and Cyndi
Use the code LETSGROW for 15% off your next order.
Hello! My name is Gabby – founder of Down Home Soaps Co. When Tara at She’s Rooted Home reached out to me for a collaboration, I was so excited! I love learning about other small businesses, and meeting others in the garden community with similar interests, so it seemed like the perfect fit. I hope you find my soaps useful for your family and home. Let me tell you a little bit more about my family’s life on our farm with our Happy Herd!
If someone would have told me 10 years ago I’d be living on a farm with my family and running a soap business, I wouId have thought they were crazy. The farm part wasn’t so crazy because I’ve always had a passion for animals – ever since I was a little girl. Marrying my husband was like a dream come true. We shared the same interests and got to work side-by-side on our farm. On our second wedding anniversary, my husband got me a goat named “Jack Jack.” Let’s just say I realized very quickly I loved goats. My love for goats has now turned into a family-run business – milking the highest-quality Mini Nubians and turning their yummy, nutrient-rich milk into goods for my family.
Our family is passionate about a Farm to Table lifestyle. My husband is a full-time, 4th generation farmer, so his knowledge on soil management and dairy health has been a huge asset for our farm. Our homestead is set on the land his grandfather lived on and his father was raised! We have two little girls – Mia & Sofia. They may be young, but they also contribute to the farm and soap company. Mia just turned 4 years old, and she milks goats with me every morning. She always tells me, “One day when I’m older, I’m going to make soaps too, mom!”. Sofia is 17 months and she has already started bottle feeding the goat kids and carrying handfuls of hay to the barn. Both girls love to help me plant seeds in the garden and harvest vegetables. I love getting to see them learn while we experience life on the farm!
Our cabinets are stacked with canned goods filled with home-grown produce. When we started canning items and milking goats, I found myself frequently having extra amounts of both, even after using it in our meals and preserving for later use. With my youngest having frequent eczema breakouts, I started researching soaps made with goats’ milk and fresh, homegrown ingredients! I was quickly amazed with the way you can incorporate fresh produce and flowers in soap, giving your skin an added boost from the nutrients.
Everyone in my family contributes to Down Home Soap Co. We believe in quality over quantity. Our saying is “Hand-Picked, Hand-Milked & Handmade.” Our Happy Herd may be small, but we make sure they are served the finest feed to ensure optimal health. The goats are milked by hand to give extra attention and love to their care. Quality is also found in our home-grown flowers, herbs and vegetables using homemade compost and organic soil as the foundation for the plants. We are proud to use these home-grown ingredients as inspiration for our soap blends! We hand pick fresh ingredients from the garden and in return put them into oil infusions, milk infusions, purees and juices, which is then made into nutrient rich goats milk soap! I am on a mission to share my love of goat milk soap with others! I appreciate you following along our family journey and trying our nutrient-rich goat milk soaps! From my heart to your sink, shower and tub, thank you!
