In December 2001, my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. The following 11 months were incredibly difficult, but I found peace at the beach, watching the pelicans glide gracefully over the ocean. Those moments gave me a sense of calm, and over the years, the pelicans became a powerful symbol of peace and comfort for me.

As I searched for something I truly loved, I dabbled in woodworking and crafts, always calling my workspace “Pelican Place”—a nod to the peaceful feeling I found by the ocean. Then in 2019, I discovered candle making, and it instantly became my passion. I shared my candles with family and friends, and their love and encouragement gave me the confidence to turn that passion into a business. Pelican Place & Company was born as a tribute to my mom and the sense of peace she left me.

Before long, I expanded into creating gift baskets and boxes, incorporating my candles as part of meaningful moments that show how much we care. I’m loving every minute of this journey, and it brings me so much joy to hear about the smiles my products bring to people's faces, while also taking the stress out of gifting for the gift giver.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for supporting my small business!