Tehachapi News

Entrepreneurial Spirit: Tehachapi Candle Co.

Some people spend half a lifetime wondering and worrying about what they will do for a living, and oftentimes when they find their niche they fall out of love with the very thing they were once passionate about. This is not the case for Gale Caldwell, owner of Tehachapi Candle Co.

The company got its beginning in May 2002. Caldwell explained, “It happened on kind of a fluke.”

Caldwell was researching craft projects to do with kids while working with the Police Activities League and came across a candle making kit. Although she decided not to conduct the project with the kids because of the extensive nature of the process, she found a new hobby she could not get enough of.

After spending a full day making candles, Gale’s husband posed a question.
“What are you going to do with all of these candles? Sell them?”

Surrounded by a room full of candles she said, “Yes, that’s what I’m going to do.”

And that is exactly what she has been doing for the last five years.

In July of 2002, Caldwell joined the Tehachapi Valley Arts Association offering her candles at the local co-op Gallery ‘N’ Gifts. Caldwell still shares in the responsibility of operating the gallery, as do all the artists who showcase their crafts at the gallery. Caldwell also showcases her work at many of the fairs and local events like the Mountain Festival.

“The candles are almost an excuse to get to know so many neat people. I really like to do the local fairs and meet the local people. When January comes around the craft shows die out and I miss seeing my customers,” said Caldwell.

Originally from San Diego, Caldwell loves the small town quality here and prefers to remain a local business. Unlike many businesses that create Web sites to market their products internationally, Caldwell said she simply created her site for the convenience of her local customers.

“It offers the customers an online catalog to see what the products look like, and then they usually call me to place their orders,” said Caldwell of her Web site, www.tehachapicandleco.com.

When asked about plans to expand her business Caldwell said, “I’ve toyed with the idea of opening my own store, but I’m happy with the way things are. I don’t have to be in a store all day long and I can still do things with my family.”

Many business owners have a hobby to get a break from work, but Caldwell’s work is her hobby and creative outlet.

“If I ever get bored or need a break from something, I think to myself, ‘I think I’ll go make candles.’ I never imagined that this many years later I would still enjoy it, I’ve managed to make it not just a job,” she said. “I’ll do this ‘til it’s not fun anymore and I don’t see that changing for a really long time.”

According to Caldwell, the most challenging aspect of running a business for her was learning how to focus on how to do one thing really well, rather than trying to do it all.

“You have to learn how to prioritize and focus in on what it is you’re really trying to do and do it the best that you can.”

Caldwell has conducted extensive research and experimentation in order to offer her clients unique products created from start to finish by Caldwell herself.
“I burn many candles before they get anywhere near my customer’s hands,” said Caldwell.

Above all the characteristics Caldwell believes are most important for a business owner to possess are patience and a willingness to learn.

Giving back to the community is a high priority of Caldwell’s, so she provides candles for Boy Scout, Girl Scout and Cub Scout fundraisers, allowing the scouts to keep 50 percent of all the proceeds from the candle sales.

Caldwell has also provided the Errea house with candles for their holiday fundraising over the past few years and donates to Main Street Tehachapi and the Tehachapi Chamber of Commerce, as well as being a steady participant and supporter of the Tehachapi Arts Association.

Being a wife, mother, business owner and community contributor, it is essential that Caldwell have a strong support system to ensure the success of her business and the basic functioning of her life. Caldwell’s number one ally in business and life is her husband.

“He provides moral support and understands when I’m so busy making candles that I can’t make dinner,” said Caldwell.

Q&A with Gale Caldwell, Owner, Tehachapi Candle Company
Q: What is the meaning of success to you?
A: Having fun with what you’re doing.

Q: Who is your hero or role model?
A: My mom. She taught me a lot about how in life, you have to juggle everything, and she taught me how to do that.

Q: When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: When I was a teenager I wanted to be a teacher. When I was 5-years-old, I wanted to work at Wienerschnitzel because it was my favorite place to eat.

For more information about Tehachapi Candle Co. call 330-8607 or log on to www.tehachapicandleco.com or visit Gallery N' Gifts located at 100 W. Tehachapi Blvd.