[01] OVERVIEW
I founded Elevated Candles as both a product business and a live analytical environment — applying operational analytics to real commercial activity across product development, fulfillment, and marketing. Multi-channel operations span farmers' markets, wholesale, and e-commerce from 2016 to 2020.
Media & Recognition:
Tulsa World (2017): Feature article, "Sustainable Scents — Tulsan turns love of wine into candles, recycling endeavor."
KTUL Good Day Tulsa (Aug 2017): Broadcast segment highlighting the intersection of sustainable manufacturing and local sourcing.
KJRH 2 Works for You (Dec 2018): Featured in the "Made in Oklahoma" series.
[02] OPERATIONAL ANALYTICS & INFRASTRUCTURE
Unit Economics Model (SKU Level)
-- Tracked variable costs: wax, oil, labor, packaging, and shipping.
-- Calculated retail margins (62–76%) and wholesale margins (21–51%).
Infrastructure & Tracking
-- Developed custom multi-channel sales tracking (Faire, D2C, Events).
-- Maintained YOY P&L summaries with granular expense categorization (materials, operations, promos).
[03] BRAND ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN
Elevated Candles — Primary Brand
-- Container Identity: Built around an upcycled wine bottle system sourced from local restaurant partners
-- Label Design: 9-scent line featuring organic compound molecular structures researched for each fragrance, serving as both an aesthetic and educational layer
-- Visual Language: Geometric mountain landscapes with a dark, industrial palette
Soy Republic — Secondary Brand
-- Launched as a strategic hedge to supply chain constraints and to test wholesale price points without bottle dependency
-- Cocktail Classics: 16-item collection built for the Faire wholesale platform
-- Managed all product photography, collection architecture, and platform listings independently
Bison - Concept Brand
-- Scents linked to Oklahoma landscapes (e.g., Black Mesa, Ouachita Forest, Salt Flats)
-- Intended as an Oklahoma-native theme with proceeds earmarked for a local wildlife preserve
[04] CANDLEMAKING CLASS SYSTEM
Designed a structured instructional curriculum for live workshops
-- Hosted at partner venues (e.g., Lobeck Taylor Family Foundation studio)
-- Developed "Candles & Cocktails" format for Mother Road Market — pairing the technical class with themed culinary experiences
Standardized 14-item Supply Kit
-- Engineered student stations featuring specialized hardware
-- Kits were pre-staged for optimal session flow and consistent student outcomes
Operational Logistics
-- Designed a portable equipment system for off-site deployment without a fixed retail location
-- System was highly scalable; success was constrained only by venue access, not market demand
[05] FRAGRANCE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Designed a proprietary "Fragrance Finder"
-- Classification Wheel: Mapped 14 scent families to a continuous spectrum.
-- Data-Driven UX: System designed to navigate fragrance preferences through objective data rather than subjective descriptors
[06] IMPACT / OUTPUT
Established data workflows applicable to complex small business operations
Balanced hands-on manufacturing with high-level analytical systems
Developed a repeatable unit economics framework applicable to any physical product operation
Created two independent brands with distinct supply chain logic and market positioning
[07] LINKS