SCOTTSDALE PROGRESS | WWW.SCOTTSDALE.ORG | DECEMBER 22, 2019
NEIGHBORS
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Siblings’ candle business a first in state BY KRISTINE CANNON Progress Staff Writer
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North
ilbert-based sister and Sc ottsdale brother Laurie Guidi and Ron Jones have a lot in common. They’re not only twins, but they’ve also spent more than one decade of their professional lives working at the same company, Walters & Wolf. And as of this year, they both quit their respective full-time jobs to continue to work together: They opened and now co-own their own candle-making company, Candle Chemistry. “My dad’s like, what, ‘What? You’re going to quit your job after 13 years?’” Jones recalled. To which Guidi added, “We’ve always worked together.” Located at Scottsdale Quarter on North Street on the north end of the mall, pet-friendly Candle Chemistry is the first of its kind in the state. Here, customers can make their own personalized scents in-store. The idea came to Guidi after 10 years At Candle Chemistry, the management team keeps it in the family. From left, the Candle Chemistry team is comprised of husof calling Jones in the middle of the band and wife duos Chris Guidi and Laurie Guidi, and Ron Jones and Salina Jones. Laurie and Ron are twins who started the night to bounce ideas off him. business. (Candle Chemistry) “[She] would be like, ‘How about a dry clean service that drops off at your “People are all about healthy living. arrive sans reservation; larger groups take away from our neighbors. We want door?’” Jones said. We’re definitely proud of our products,” must make a reservation on Candle to partner with [them],” Ron added. Laughing, Guidi added, “Or a drone Guidi said. Chemistry’s website. Laurie and Ron opened up a candle that delivers your coffee?” Candle Chemistry opened in early Starting at $20, customers start the business at an opportune time. Candle Chemistry has more than 100 November and has since attracted cus- 30-minute candle-making process by A recent report published by Zion scents available in-store, the most pop- tomers of all kinds, from soccer teams choosing their scents, during which a Market Research in September states ular being old books, ginger ale, hot co- to families. Scent Stylish will help choose comple- the global candle market is expected to coa, and elderflower. They’ve also hosted candle-making menting scents. reach nearly 14 billion by 2026, largely “I make that one almost every day,” parties, including birthday parties and Then, customers choose their con- due to increasing disposable incomes. said Maddison Wattis, Candle Chemis- corporate parties. tainer and design their label. But the brother-sister duo didn’t try Scent Stylist. Looking ahead, they plan to partner Up next, is the fun part: mixing the oils choose the candle market specifically The most unique scents, according to with local artists to host workshops, at the Fragrance Bar. due to its continued growth. the Candle Chemistry team, are bacon, like candle-incorporated floral cenCandles take 90 minutes to cool beThey chose the candle business bepatchouli, and lettuce – yes, lettuce. terpieces and candle glass-designing fore they’re ready to take home, dur- cause it creates – and evokes – memories. Customers won’t always find the classes. ing which Laurie and Ron recommend “A customer, she smelled Dad’s Den, same scents year-round at Candle “I’m always wanting to incorporate heading next door to Sorso Wine Room and her grandfather had just passed Chemistry, either. something with families because it’s for a glass of vino or walk around the away, and she was like, ‘That’s my Guidi and Jones said they plan to important to us,” Guidi said. Quarter. grandfather.’ Right away, she was like, ‘I change them quarterly, with FebruFamily is so important to Guidi and Once they get their liquor license, want this one,’” Wattis said. ary or March being the next time they Jones, their respective spouses, Chris however, they’ll allow customers to “Scent is one of your most powerful change the scents. Guidi and Salina Jones, also work at bring in their own bottle of wine. senses,” Laurie added. “For us, the scent The soy candles sold and made at Candle Chemistry. “The BYOB will be nice because then if brings back memories.” Candle Chemistry are environmentally Combine their professional strengths we were to host, say, a bridal shower, we friendly, too. — sales executive, human resources could do that after hours. We could have “We knew we didn’t want a paraffin. manager, event planner, and operations it as an option where you can bring your We wanted a clean, soy candle,” Guidi guru — and you have what they call a own alcohol,” Ron said. said. “killer combination for business manIn the meantime, they’re more than Candle Chemistry “The nice thing, too, about people agement.” happy partnering up with their neigh15323 N. Scottsdale Road, #140 forming their own candle is they know So, how exactly does Candle Chemis- bors. 480-251-0677 what’s going in. It is wax and oil. There try work? “We didn’t want to do a complete licandlechemistry.com are no chemicals,” Jones added. Groups of five or less are welcome to quor license because we don’t want to
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