Rising Stars: Meet Brenda Refice

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brenda Refice. Them and their team share their story with us below:

From Recycled Cans to Candles & more!

Improving the World, One Can, and One Candle at a Time!

R&R Candles is a local, Columbus Ohio candle company started by Brenda Refice to help the earth’s environment through the sustainability of recycling cans that would otherwise end up in a landfill and repurposing them into unique, artistic candles. Through grassroots efforts of picking up littered cans by the side of the street, and trash cans and then recycling them, R&R Candles has developed a business that strives to make the world a better place for humans and animals.

Working in health care for 25 years and helping others, Brenda wanted to create a business model with a dedicated purpose, to give back to the community and support rescue animals. By recycling artistic beer, cans, water & soda cans, and repurposing those items into candles, she has built an environmentally conscious business that helps the planet and rescued animals because a portion of all candle profits goes to a dedicated animal rescue group.

By recycling artistic beer cans, and water & soda cans, and repurposing those items into candles, Brenda has built an environmentally conscious business that helps the planet and rescued animals because a portion of all candle profits goes to a dedicated animal rescue group or shelter each month.

R&R Candles has expanded with their own design on recycled cans, glass candles & private labeling; with each candle sold giving a portion of proceeds back to an animal rescue group with that they have developed partnerships over the years.

R&R Candles is recognized by the Ohio Proud badge which means at least 50% of their business products are processed in Ohio!

The more people who love our candles…the more we can all help our community and our animals! Together we can help! We are all in this together!!

It’s a candle with a greater purpose!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Starting with my own resources and a grassroots approach, I have not had the luxury of resources to start up big. I have had to build my business slowly and with donations and a grassroots approach however, we have always given back to an animal rescue group regardless of what resources we have available.

I have also had to self-teach myself on IT and marketing components as I have not had the resources, in the beginning, to pay for or source this out.

In addition just learning the candle trade and the safety measures and legal measures involved.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I have been in health care since 1990. Started off as a licensed social worker helping our elderly population to remain in their home safely and healthy. Then evolved into nursing working in emergency and critical care nursing to open heart and oncology nursing. Eventually going contingent in nursing a few years ago and starting my own business to that I could give back to our environment through sustainability and to our animals through animal rescue groups.

I have 4 dogs, 23 box turtles, 1 bearded dragon lizard, and a bird, and manage this household along with a candle business and help in my husband’s tree business of 33 years!

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Have a good support system and take time for yourself so you can have a clear mind to make good decisions. Ask questions of those in business and listen to criticism with an open mind and learn from it. Each event, each issue, each roadblock, and each positive event is a lesson learned.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rrcandles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randrcandlesllc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RRCandlesLLC/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Brenda87868899