We recently had the chance to connect with Donna Jones and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Donna, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I think for me it’s stepping into the spotlight a bit more. I’ve always been someone who prefers to work in the background and let others take center stage. But now I feel like I’m being called to show up more, to share my story and what I do. It’s not the most comfortable thing for me, but I know growth usually comes from the uncomfortable, so I’m leaning into it.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Donna Jones, the owner of Kiddles Candles. I actually started the business with my kids as a fun project, and over time it turned into something much bigger.
Now I get to handmake candles, room sprays, and a few other goodies that bring a cozy, welcoming feel into people’s homes. I’m a former educator, so creating and connecting with people has always been part of who I am—and this business lets me keep doing that in a really meaningful way
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was a girl who dreamed of being a teacher, but I also had this deep love for decorating and creating beautiful spaces. As a teen I would spend hours moving furniture around, playing with colors, and imagining how to make a space feel warm and inviting. Teaching became the practical path I pursued, and I loved it, but that creative spark was always there in the background. Starting my candle business has been such a gift, because it’s brought both sides of me together—sharing, teaching, and at the same time creating things that make spaces feel special.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I’d tell her, ‘You are enough — just as you are. Your creativity, your heart, your quiet strength… they’re all gifts. Don’t shrink yourself to fit in. The world needs exactly who you are
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closet friends would say my faith and family are the cornerstone of my life.
My faith in God keeps me anchored, humble and is a source of strength during trying times. Its the principles of my faith that inspires me to create good products, and love on my customers like I do.
My family is my heart. They do life with me, they’ve seen me at my best and my worst. They are my safe place where I can apologetically be myself. I love showing up for my family as much as I appreciate them being there for me.
I don’t take them for granted. It takes a village to run a business and I’m thankful that I have people in my corner that both support and believe in me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
I believe that they would miss the products, but they would also miss my light.
I say this because, I’ve made it a point of business to get to know my customers individually, and this goes beyond knowing which scented candles they likes most.
I’ve prayed under my tent with a wife who was grieving the lost of her husband. Created gift baskets for those that were expanding their families with the arrival of a child, and encouraged others that were walking through storms.
My customers have become an extension of my family and I believe this type of connection is missing in larger chains and would be missed.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: kiddlescandles@instagram.com
- Linkedin: kiddlescandles@linkedin.com
- Twitter: kiddlescandles@twitter com
- Facebook: kiddlescandles@facebook.com
- Other: kiddlescandles@pinterest.com
