Today we’d like to introduce you to Janae Gaiter.
Hi Janae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi! My name is Janae, and I am a proud San Antonio native! Although I was born here, I was raised all over the world. My dad was in the military, so as some would like to say, I was an Army brat. I grew up in a very loving and supportive environment. My parents always raised me to live out my full potential. I started playing sports at the age of 4. I played several musical instruments, was a member of several academic teams in school, and the list goes on and on. My parents were extremely adventurous, so on top of my extracurriculars, we traveled and explored every weekend. I had an amazing upbringing, and I never take that for granted.
My obsession with candles and high-end fragrances started at a very young age. My parents would drive my brother and me across the country to spend the summers with our grandparents in San Antonio. I remember spending so much time playing with my grandmothers’ expensive perfumes, elegant shoes, and make-up. One thing that she would always do is light up the house with fancy, fragrant candles at night. Something about the way that the candlelight would soothe my mind really stood out to me, and the fragrances were always exciting to smell!
At the age of 10, my mother bought me my first candle. It was my favorite color, deep burnt orange. It reminded me of the fall, and it smelled like hazelnut! I will never forget it. She would light the candle for me, and I would sit in my room and write poetry or journal. My life was so adventurous that there was always something to write about. The candlelight and fragrance would easily bring calmness to my evenings. Each day since then, I have started my day with a fresh cup of coffee and a luxurious candle!
So how did we get started you might ask? Well, four years ago, I noticed how much money I was spending on candles. I would rather not say how much, but just know that I should have been in retail therapy for it. The most disappointing part is that they would often not burn completely, and sometimes I could not smell them midway through the burn. I would have severe headaches and my eyes would water after lighting some of my candles. Long story short, I started to pay more attention to the quality of the product. Unfortunately, just because you spend more does not mean you are going to get a quality product. Might I add, these candles were from some of my favorite retailers, which was even more shocking to me.
One day, I went to a market and purchased a handmade candle. It burned so smoothly, smelled amazing, and you could tell that the person made it with love! I was sold and never purchased another store-bought candle again.
I was so intrigued with the art of candle-making that I did many years of research on candles. Some of my research consisted of the chemicals that can be used in wax. It was very shocking to know that some of my favorite brands were using chemicals in their candles that can cause headaches, cancer, kidney damage, birth defects, and even respiratory issues. My mouth hit the floor and I became more cautious with the products that I use in my home.
After this extensive research, I started making my own candles. I knew that one day I wanted to start my own candle business, but I would always make an excuse and often felt like I did not have the time.
Finding the time for self-care was a challenge for me. Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, but it can also be very challenging. Trying to juggle being the best mother possible, homeschooling, and climbing the corporate ladder during the pandemic was a challenge. I am sure most parents can relate. Furthermore, I was just in work mode 100% of the time and did not take care of myself at all. Being busy, hardworking, active within my community, helping others, and being powerful was natural to me, and I have never slowed down since I was a child. This was just how I was raised. Sadly, something that was so familiar to me became my downfall. I paid the price for that and ended up getting ill due to extreme exhaustion. I thought I was going to die during that moment, and I recall thinking if I died right now, my kids would be taken care of, and everything would be fine because I have worked so hard to organize my affairs. I also remember realizing I did not accomplish the things I dreamt of doing because I was afraid of failure and stepping out of my comfort zone. After months of recovery, my entire outlook on life was different, and that is when I created Auvrey Rose. Candle-making became my therapeutic outlet, especially during the pandemic,and brought me peace and serenity. I am also very good at it!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall,and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
So far, my business has been rewarding! I funded my business using my job’s incentive rewards program. It has been such a blessing to be able to fund my business and not have to come out of pocket for expenses as much as I would have if I were to start my business the traditional way. Since I’m my own competition, it’s a no-brainer for me! The challenge for me is having a full-time career and trying to build a business.
I have learned more than I ever expected to on this journey and have also had so much support, but the road has been far from smooth. When I started Auvrey Rose I was dealing with so many family illnesses. It was hard trying to be there for my family, dealing with the loss of loved ones, and trying to conduct business. There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel, but I persevered.
I’m an extremely private person, so it has been a challenge trying to stay consistent with social media, but so far, we are progressing. When I started my business, I had no idea how to navigate through this social media situation. I’m the kind of person that posts on my personal social media pages 2 to 3 times a year. It’s quite a daunting task creating so much content, but I know it’s necessary for growth. I’m putting my best foot forward and learning something new each day. I sometimes think in business we forget that this is not a race to the top, it’s a journey, and we can learn so much from the ride.
We’ve been impressed with Auvrey Rose, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Auvrey Rose is a luxury candle brand. Our luxury home fragrance candles are 100% soy, non-toxic, lead-free, hand-poured, and skillfully scented with the finest essential oils. We curate the best scents right here in San Antonio, Texas. Each fragrance is carefully handcrafted to fill your home with luxurious and comforting scents. Materials are carefully chosen to give you the highest quality candles to ensure it lasts long after the wax is spent. Auvrey Rose uses reusable vessels for sustainable living. We want to do our part to make a positive impact on the environment. You can reuse your candle vessel as a drinking tumbler, vase, trinket holder, or however the mood inspires you. Since soy wax is made from soybeans, it is friendly to the environment. Soybeans are a renewable resource. We do not use paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is derived from petroleum, which is not a renewable resource. This is especially important if you are pregnant, have kids, or have pets, because it’s the safest option health-wise.
We pledge to create good and make a positive impact within our community. There are an estimated 16.9 million people who menstruate living in poverty in the United States. A percentage of each sale that we make is donated to providing feminine hygiene products to those in need.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I am beyond blessed to have such a supportive family. Each one of them has rooted me on from day one, whether it be kind words of encouragement, constructive criticism, praise, love, or even being a listening ear for me on days when I feel defeated. They even take packages to the post office on days I am unable to. They are always there to lend a hand when needed. I owe all my success to them. Without my family, I don’t know where I would be. I would also like to thank everyone who has supported my brand thus far whether you have purchased my products online, in the local gift shop, at a market, or liked or shared a post on my social media. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Pricing:
- 9oz Soy Candle $22.50
- 2oz Travel Tin $6.50
- Room Spray $10.50
- Gold Leaf Wax Melt Bar $6.50
Contact Info:
- Email: Auvreyroseco@gmail.com
- Website: https://auvreyrose.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/auvreyrose
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Auvreyrose/
Image Credits
Avery Barlowe
