One of the riskier points for any small business comes when owners leave the stability of their day job behind. For one Longmont business, Craft Beer Babe Candles and Gifts, that change is happening this month, and owner Julie Kovaleski finds the moment exhilarating.
“Being my own boss and making my own decisions is a little bit scary, but at the same time, I feel like I have a lot more freedom to play around with this brand, this persona I’m creating,” Kovaleski said. “For me, I’ve made a lot of great memories around having a good meal or a good drink with friends. I’m eager to focus on helping others have these experiences, too.”
As the name suggests, Kovaleski’s business focuses on providing merchandise related to the still-strong craft beer industry. Currently, one of the business’ main products is candles, which are created with brewery-branded unused craft beer cans as containers. Each candle is made from ingredients including carefully chosen fragrances and soy wax.
“I’ve always loved burning candles and having scents around me. One time, when I was burning an apple cinnamon candle, my sister, who was with me, started getting headaches. I started doing research on how candles are made and realized that there aren’t a lot of regulations in the candle industry,” Kovaleski said. “A lot of candles aren’t made with the best ingredients as fragrances aren’t always regulated in the United States.”
Though she started making her candles as gifts for friends, several years ago she realized she could turn her hobby into a business. Now her merchandise is in about a dozen Colorado retailers, boutiques, breweries, and even a craft beer spa in Denver. She’s also in Pennsylvania and hopes to expand to other states and sells candles through her website craft beer–babe.com, and other third-party retailers.
Ian Blasco is the general manager of Stem Ciders Acreage location in Lafayette where Kovaleski’s candles are sold.
“Customers are drawn to the uniqueness of the candles and that they use Stem cans as their containers,” he said. “People are also excited that the scents match the flavor of the cider cans. Most guests absolutely love them.”
With a strong customer reception, Kovaleski isn’t content to just expand her candle distribution footprint, she’s also looking to widen the types of candles she produces. She recently added cocktail candles and is looking to include other merchandise options such as gift sets to her platform. Her “whiskey cocktail set” includes scents such as Irish coffee warm drink, an Old Fashioned and a mint julep.
She also is looking to expand in another way — by offering classes. She retains a craft beer cicerone designation (comparable to a sommelier in the wine world) and is working on her certified cider professional designation. Kovaleski also is a certified bourbon steward and is eager to share her fascination with history and tasting knowledge with others.
“I really love teaching, being in front of other people, and educating them. I’m hoping as COVID-19 restrictions die down, we can enter into this space,” she said. “I’ve always been a candle lover and a craft beer lover. I love bringing both of these together and sharing what I do with the public. I’m excited to see what the future holds.”
