Inspired by the Kootenays

Honey Candles was built on teamwork and a family atmosphere

Roy and Leah Honkanen are eager to share their success. —

Photo courtesy Roy and Leah Honkanen

Located just outside of Kaslo, B.C., Honey Candles has been manufacturing and shipping 100 per cent pure beeswax candles all over the world for 16 years. The company has recently revamped its branding—incorporating a new website, a name change and attractive new packaging.

Owners Roy and Leah Honkanen have been Kaslo residents all their lives. They set up the business on their picturesque Shutty Bench property, a location that exemplifies Kootenay scenic appeal.

“It is a beautiful location,” said Andrea Dupuis, marketing co-ordinator for the company. “Every morning I look out my office window I can hardly believe my luck.”

A close-knit team

Honey Candles employs 10 to 13 people during the winter—their busiest season—and the staff members clearly take a personal approach to the products they create. The Honkanens acknowledge the teamwork that has helped the company evolve.

"Though we have had some very challenging times during the growth of our company, we have been very rewarded in our own personal growth and in seeing the growth of employees that we have been working with over the years,” said Honkanen. “The pride they have in producing quality Honey Candles gives us pride in owning a small successful company in a small community.”

Making contributions

The family atmosphere and ethics of Honey Candles extend across the globe, with their Life Candles program. Remnant beeswax is re-melted and poured into recycled containers, then distributed to families in need with the assistance of Canadian Food for Children. Since May of 2008, they have sent out more than 1,000 Life Candles. They have even brought schoolchildren from J.V.H. (J.V. Humphries school) to come down and pour candles at their Kaslo location.