Daily Inspiration: Meet Trista Gangestad

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trista Gangestad.

Hi Trista, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started making my own clean burning candles because I couldn’t find what I wanted anywhere in the marketplace. It all began when the pandemic hit in 2020 and I was home all the time and I was burning candles much more frequently than I had previously. One day, I was sitting in my living room enjoying one of my favorite candles and suddenly noticed a big black ring of soot on the ceiling above where this candle was burning! I pointed it out to my husband later and he got up on the ladder and tried to clean it. It wouldn’t budge!

I was sad I could no longer enjoy my favorite candle and disgusted at what the candle had done to my home. And I began to wonder what it had also done to my family’s lungs and if it could do that to my ceiling! So, I began researching clean burning candles. I found some that I liked, but I struggled to find the look and scents I wanted. In my research, I learned how clean burning candles are made and decided I would just create what I wanted.

I love Farmhouse décor and had the idea to pour candles into enamel campfire mugs with fun designs on them. I had the graphic design skills to create the designs, but I had to figure out how to get the mugs made. With the help of my husband and a little trial and error, I learned how to sublimate (heat press) the mugs with my designs and we were off and running!

Since the designs are heat pressed, they are permanent. They’re not a sticker or labels. They won’t peel, rub or wear off. All of my candles are hand-poured in small batches with 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and clean fragrances. They don’t emit any soot or chemicals. They are vegan, cruelty-free, phthalate-free, and petroleum-free.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In the beginning, I contracted with another local mom-owned business to print the designs on the mugs for me because I didn’t have the equipment or knowledge to do that. When my business started growing and it became obvious I was going to need to move that part in-house, I had to research and learn how to do that and find the right equipment.

There was a learning curve there and some wasted mugs as I tested the process. I’ve had the good fortune of finding supportive environments with other women business owners to help me along the way. As a solopreneur, having others to brainstorm with, find referrals for different resources, etc has been invaluable and helped me avoid some pitfalls.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Our candles are different from others in 2 ways:

1. They come in mugs and tins with clever, inspiring, and sometimes sarcastic designs on them. I create all the designs and apply them to the candles myself. I can customize candles with any design you can dream of. I’ve created custom designs for weddings, companies for corporate gifts, realtors for closing gifts, city or state designs for retail stores, etc. I can even put the photo of your choice on a candle! Designs on the mugs are heat pressed and completely permanent. The mug can even be cleaned out after you’re done enjoying your candle and then you can drink out of it!

2. They are clean burning. They are made from 100% soy wax, cotton wicks, and clean fragrances so they don’t release any soot or chemicals. They are vegan and gluten-free, phthalate-free, non-toxic, natural, biodegradable, non-carcinogenic, and cruelty-free. They don’t cause problems for people who usually get headaches or allergic reactions to candles.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
If it weren’t for the pandemic, I wouldn’t have started this business. It was during the lockdown that I started burning candles more and noticed the soot those candles were emitting in my home. That was the impetus for me to start making my candles.

Pricing:

• Mug Candles are $28
• Candle Tins are $14
• Wax Melts are $8
• I also offer wholesale pricing for bulk orders

Contact Info:

• Website: www.clevercowcandleco.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/clevercowcandleco
• Facebook: facebook.com/clevercowcandleco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdca8_GY7TIbBmQ7cCGiA-g
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@clevercowcandleco 

Image Credits
Eleni Thayer Photography