Conversations with Gabriel Rowe

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriel Rowe. 

Hi Gabriel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
Several years ago, I stumbled upon some YouTube videos about DIY candles. I decided to try out making some of the “DIY” candles with supplies from the dollar store, craft store, and from around my house. I quickly discovered that although these candles looked cool, they weren’t really functional and there was a lot more to candle making than I initially thought. A few years passed and I had been working as a mental health technician at a psychiatric hospital. I had been wanting to start my own business for a while but hadn’t found my right niche. I did furniture repair, painting, and upholstery for a while. I tried making body butters and skin care items for a while but could never get the recipe just right. Something drew me back to those “DIY” candles I made years back and I started to do a lot of research. In 2020 when pandemic began, and schools closed my husband and I were forced to make some decisions about how to function with a toddler and 3 older kids who were virtual learning. We decided it was best for me to leave my job as a mental health professional to be home with the kids. I ordered my initial candle-making supplies and put in my notice at my job. I started selling candles on the weekends outside my local flea market and then began designing my website. I named my business Emerald Elephant as a tribute to my late mother Catherine. She passed away from ALS when I was a kid. My mom loved elephants and had a collection of elephant statues and figurines that my family gave to my sister and I when we became adults. Eventually, I rented a booth inside the flea market where I sold my candles every weekend. I did that for about a year and a half before I decided to close so that I could have weekends with my family. During that time, I learned how to make other products like room sprays and carpet deodorizer from scratch. My amazing sister taught me how to make incense and I added that to the products I carry as well. As of right now, I sell my handmade candles on my website and at farmers’ markets or pop-up shops about once a month. I began to wholesale my products and have been featured in several small boutiques throughout the country. Mueva Fitness Studio and boutique in Clarkston carries my dessert-inspired candles. One day I hope to expand to a major retailer or even open my own candle boutique and candle-making studio. I recently hosted my first candle-making party where I helped 20 lovely ladies make their own personalized candles. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I have learned that running your own business is difficult no matter what the industry. In the beginning, I thought that I just needed to know how to make a candle that smells amazing and burns safely. I soon found out that in order to be successful I also had to learn web design, social media, marketing, insurance requirements, shipping logistics, product costs, product photography, etc. Some nights I may be up until 2 am preparing for a pop-up market or fixing an issue with my website. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve always been a creative person. I love painting and making crafts. When I fell in love with candle making it became my new creative outlet. There are so many creative possibilities with unique jars, label designs, candle dyes, and fragrance combinations. I would say Emerald Elephant is best known for unique fragrances and for dessert-inspired candles. I love to mix fragrances so that my candles don’t smell like the basic scents you’d find in the average retailer. There is no vanilla or lavender. Everything is a unique blend of multiple scents. My dessert-inspired candles are made 100% by me. I’m testing dyes to make sure I get the correct colors when making embeds (small wax pieces made to look like food). I’m whipping wax and piping it to look like frosting. They take a lot of work, but I love how they look, and dessert candles are one of my best-selling products. 

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I don’t have a favorite candle or fragrance. My products are really like my babies, and I love them all equally LOL. I created each one because there is something about the scent, the name, or design that I love. 

Pricing:

• Luxury & Dessert Inspired Candles $25
• Room/Linen Sprays $7.50
• Carpet Deodorizer Powder $6.50
• Hand Dipped Incense $5.50

Contact Info:

• Website: TheEmeraldElephant.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_emerald_elephant21/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_emerald_elephant?lang=en