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Welcome back to the Sustainable Business Spotlight with Amy Auble! It’s such a joy to have Kate De Palma on this podcast episode! Kate De Palma is a Stanford graduate, educator-turned-entrepreneur, and best-selling author who has taken the candle world by storm with her company, Scented Designs. I’ve had the pleasure of trying her clean and environmentally-minded artisan candles and let me tell you, they are incredible! Kate's creations have been featured in major outlets like Forbes, HuffPost, and CNN, and you can find them in stores across the nation. She’s also a pro at corporate gifting, helping brands enhance their client experiences with custom candles that truly reflect their values. With her passion for lifelong learning and dedication to supporting small businesses, Kate is on a mission to spread health, light, and wonderful scents to everyone who shops with Scented Designs.

Candles might just seem like a simple pleasure, but have you ever thought about their environmental impact? Luckily, brands like Scented Designs are showing us that you can have great quality and sustainability all in one candle! Join Kate and me as we explore how to spot eco-friendly candles and provide helpful advice for small business owners. Let’s dive in! 

In this episode you will hear: 

• 2:20 - Kate's transition from English teacher to entrepreneur and how her passion for candle making and craft shows inspired her business.
• 4:20 - Insight into being an environmentally conscious consumer when purchasing candles, with a focus on wick, wax, and essential oils.
• 12:45 - Exploring the misconceptions and challenges of small business ownership.
• 15:30 - Reflecting on her departure from teaching and how Kate realized she wanted to pursue entrepreneurship.
• 18:28 - Growing Scented Designs through corporate gifting, partnerships, collaborations, and the creation of branded candles.
• 25:00 - Preparing for the holiday season, including hiring new staff, managing communications, and the excitement surrounding her advent calendar offering.

Just because candles are a common household item doesn’t mean they can’t be eco-friendly and beautifully crafted. I hope you’re feeling inspired to make more conscious choices and support sustainable brands like Scented Designs. If you enjoyed our conversation, please like and share it, and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Episode Specific Links:
Scented Designs: Scented Designs – Scented Designs Candle Company
Instagram: Scented Designs
Tiktok: Scented Designs Candle Co.

Amy's Links:
• Website
• Alpine Start Media's Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Jelt's Instagram