“All of the darkness
in the world
cannot extinguish
the light of
a single candle.”
St. Francis of Assisi

In the past few years, Kathy and I have increasingly enjoyed the ambiance provided by scented candles in our home. We’ve purchased dozens of them from a number of stores, including Yankee Candle, CVS, Target, and Hallmark. We have candles in the living room, dining room, kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, and my home office. These candles contribute significantly to the warm, nurturing environment in our home.

Today, because of the cooler temperature outside, I did my daily walking at the Westfield Valley Fair Mall, located just over two miles from our home. After enduring the weekend crowds at the mall the past two days, it was an absolute delight to get my steps in today in a less hectic environment. This enabled me to be far more attentive to the various businesses I passed along the way. One particular vendor caught my attention.

In addition to the plethora of stores lining both sides of the mall, there are a number of kiosks situated in the middle of the walkway which offer a variety of products. I notice one such business today — Maynova Candle Company. 

Maynova is a local business specializing in scented candles. Available in three sizes: 3 oz,, 7 oz., and 15 oz. with triple wicks, these candles are made with high-quality essential oil infused fragrances and premium all-natural soy wax. They are hand-poured by Brandi, the owner of Maynova.

Brandi launched her business in 2023 with the goal of providing customers with unique, affordable, high-quality candles that would enhance any space. The ingredients of her candles include 100% natural soy wax, fragrance oils that are non-toxic, and premium cotton wicks. The candles are free from harmful chemicals, making them safe for both users and the environment. 

I purchased two 7 oz. candles today — one vanilla and one passionfruit mango. The scents are luscious. These will be used in my home office to enhance the environment of my writing space. 

The company name is an interesting story. When Brandi decided to venture into the candle-making business, she did not have a name for the company. After consideration, she decided to use the birth months of her parents, May and November, and created the name Maynova. 

Check out the Maynova Candle Company website at maynovacandles.com, and follow Brandi on Instagram @maynovacandles or Facebook: Maynova Candle Company. Better yet, visit Brandi’s kiosk at the mall. It is located on the lower level near California Pizza Kitchen, Wetzels Pretzels, and Starbucks. What a great opportunity to support a local small business while enhancing the environment in your home.