My dream is to travel the country visiting the people who are making the wonderful products sold at M+R, taking pics, talking shop, and really get to know each person. So I was so excited when I recently had a chance to visit the lovely Samantha Thompson and Andrew King the team who make up Standard Wax. From their studio in Arizona, Standard Wax creates fragrant soy candles from scratch along with the re-usable ceramic vessels to hold them.
Tell us a little about Standard Wax & what you do.
Standard Wax is on a mission to bring art into the everyday. We focus on designing products that combine form and function. We believe that everything you put in your home should be beautiful and inspired.
When did you get started? When did you make the transition to doing Standard Wax full time?
Standard Wax started in 2011 (nearly as an accident). We rode the ups an downs of running a business on the side for a while, which was good for us as we refined our brand and how we wanted it to grow. Sam quit her day job in 2014 and Andrew followed suit shortly after. It’s amazing how much growth we’ve seen since then. Having the time to dedicate to your business without being distracted by a day job is really an incredible thing.
Tell us what a normal day is like.
I’m actually happy to say that a “normal day” is becoming something we are able to experience! Waking up and heading to the studio early (we are both morning people) to make sure everything is in order for the day’s production, and then letting our team take over - getting their hands dirty pouring, packaging and shipping candles. It’s nice to have perfected our process to a point where it’s possible to have some help with the production! It leaves a lot of time for us to dream up new products and projects and gather inspiration.
What inspires you?
Ha, I didn’t even see this questions before I wrapped up the previous one. How’s that for a transition? We’re both super inspired by nature, in a number of different ways. It reminds us that the world is so much bigger than the little candle kingdom we live in. We love what we do, and running a business is great - but the inspiration for everything we do comes from travel and adventures. We’re constantly planing our next trip or spontaneous adventure (whether it’s an exotic country across the world or the new mexican restaurant down the street). Being outside never ceases to create a ridiculous sense of wonder about so many things.
What is your favorite part about being a small business owner? What part gives you shivers to think about?
The best thing, and the thing we are always striving for, is the ability to create our own path. If something isn’t working, or we don’t like it, we just change it. We fix it, we make it better and we move on. I love how quickly things can move and grow, and how fast ideas can be brought to live. There is something so satisfying about being about to create your own happiness. Things that give us shivers: accounting (are we going to get audited? We definitely didn’t do that right.), cubicles, florescent lights, and any other indication that we have become a company that’s forgotten it’s story and inspiration.
Any words of wisdom for budding entrepreneurs?
If you’re serious about what you’re doing and you truly want to make it happen, just make it happen! It sounds cliche, but if you put in the time, things will grow. Also don’t sacrifice your happiness or your values for anything. It’s never worth it in the end.
Who is that adorable dog?
That’s Lu! Andrew’s perfect precious angel. She’s a pug chihuahua mix and is one of many dogs that frequents our studio!
You have such a beautiful Instagram feed, (that I geek out on all the time) @standardwax, Who are your five favorite Instagram accounts right now?
@huckberry, @slowjam98, @heartswellco, @laurenkelp, @polerstuff
Big Thanks to Samantha for letting my niece make her own candle. As a tween candle fanatic, she was in heaven!
Want a candle? SHOP NOW
Instagram images courtesy of Standard Wax
