my heartspur story…

When my youngest son was diagnosed Autistic with high support needs in 2022, I found myself unmoored and overwhelmed. As a former social worker, navigating systems and advocacy were not unknown to me. In many ways, social work was not the profession for me. However, I will never regret the education and experience I received in the field, as it helped prepare me for all that would come for our family. No matter how prepared I may have been though, I was still not ready for the isolation, exhaustion, and anxiety the process of evaluations, assessments, and appointments brought me.

In 2023, both of my kiddos were finally in school and I was able to find some space for vocation again. I knew I needed something flexible and understanding of the circumstances of our life. As a support needs parent, I often have to facilitate multiple appointments, school meetings, and challenging sleep needs every week. It requires a level of flexibility that most employers won’t offer. However, thanks to a friend’s connection, I began working for Hummingbird Candle Co. in 2023. I found the process of making candles so therapeutic—it helped me cope with a difficult year filled with school issues, anxiety, and family health scares. My friend and mentor, Tianna, taught me so much about how small businesses can run with care for their product and their employees.

It was incredibly bittersweet when Hummingbird closed in 2024. Once my hands were empty with no more candles to pour, I knew I could not let it end there. I had to figure out a way to hold onto this craft and the joy it brought me…