HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!
Wow! What a journey! The phrase that comes to mind is “The only thing constant is change!” Many of you already know this story, but there is an announcement at the end so humor me and let me tell it again!
I began making candles in my garage right around 1992 with my sister, Lori Palmer. There’s a couple Lori’s in this story (just to warn ya!). From the right wax, the perfect pouring temperature, the proper amount of dyes, the fragrances to blend in-house to make uniquely our own, and finally the molds to pour in, it was a long year of trial and error. Very few of us had mastered the internet at that time (remember waiting on dial up to load? Trust me, going to the library and looking in the Thomas Register was quicker. And for those of you that have no idea what I'm talking about as you read this, enjoy your youth. It goes quick). Making candles was completely a self taught process. Which, looking back, I’m extremely thankful for because it rendered a unique and completely “our own” product. We named our business Two Blessings (Lori had one child and I had one).
Looking back, I’m astonished at how many times the path was cleared for my sister and me. Everything literally fell right into place, it was simply delightful to experience! God's hands were all over everything. For years, Lori and I lugged our product to craft shows with the pitter patter of little feet behind us. We knew we had a great product, because people kept coming back for more.
In 1996, I opened a shop in Weston, MO and every few years, the man that painted our name on our door happily came back to add a blessing. We landed at Five Blessings.
In 2003, Lori Woods (there’s the second Lori) franchised from me and opened a store in Brookside, MO. I needed to trademark my name and Blessings Candles was already taken. During the middle of the night while pondering a new name, I woke up and scribbled down 5B&Co. Candlemakers. The next morning I hired a graphic artist to design the logo. I also began to teach Lori Woods all of our top secret formulations to ensure her success.
Many years have come and gone and Lori Woods has become very successful in her own right.
However, without warning, the world has changed. During shelter at home, it became very evident that brick and mortar stores would need to adjust and adapt. There was so much confusion finding who was who online. I’ve developed a love/hate relationship with search engines. In an effort to help negate the confusion, I switched back to Five Blessings Candleworks (which actually felt really good). However, it has become apparent that we BOTH need to define and differentiate ourselves and create a clear separation for the sake of internet search engines. Lori will change the name of her Brookside location, and I will remain 5B&Co.Candlemakers AND Five Blessings Candleworks.
It truly is all good.
I am known mostly on Etsy as Five Blessings Candleworks and am known elsewhere as 5B&Co. Candlemakers (especially in the Kansas City area and Boulevard Brewery). My plan for the time being is to be a little bit of both and see where I land. My sister, Lori Palmer, is plugging right along creating amazing candles and I am proud to carry them on my website. Her inspirational tins are just what the world needs right now.
So, call me what you wish — 5B&Co. or Five Blessings — it’s still the same great product poured with love. It totally reminds me of what I’ve always said, “We never pour grumpy or out of sorts and that happiness goes home with you in the form of a flicker!”
Oh! And back to those pesky search engines, I do recommend you find me at www.FiveBlessings.com at least until the internet figures out who I am…but rest assured the names and fragrances on my site are exactly the same that you have come to know and love over the past ALMOST THIRTY (WOW!) years!
I’m thankful for each and every one of you!
Marsha
5B&Co. Candlemakers
Five Blessings Candleworks
Here is the Cliff's Notes version:
Marsha is still 5B&Co. but she is also Five Blessings Candleworks!
Marsha can be found online at www.fiveblessings.com AND at www.5BandCo.com
Marsha is exclusively online for the time being
Marsha is still pouring all of your favorite scents!
Check out our website to find us in store!
