How Mora and Henry Reed Built Zoe & Co. Candle Company

Parents Mora and Henry Reed had a big year in 2020: They got married and started their business, Zoe & Co. Candle Company, both during the pandemic. Since launching Zoe & Co. in May, they've met all of their targets and have seen steady growth. 

In this episode, Mora and Henry talk about how they began making their hand-poured soy candles as a hobby and how an unfortunate job loss during COVID times led them to turn their hobby into a business.

They’ll also talk about their creative process and building a brand for their candles, how their products have evolved over the last nine months, how they balance being a couple, business partners, and parents to 3-year-old Zoe, and their biggest successes and challenges during Zoe & Co.'s first year.

This is the third episode in a series highlighting small businesses in Baltimore. 

Mentioned in this episode:

Zoe & Co. Candle Company – Mora and Henry’s business that offers candles that currently fall under five scent profiles: fall & holiday, fresh & clean, relax & unwind, masculine, and floral. “Is It Insane to Start a Small Business During Coronavirus? Millions of Americans Don’t Think So.” The Wall Street Journal. September 2020. “It’s a Terrible Time for Small Businesses. Except When It’s Not.” The New York Times. December 2020. Tortuga Kombucha – The first episode in the Baltimore series featured Davon Pulliam from the tea-focused kombucha company, Tortuga Kombucha. Row House 14 – The second episode in the Baltimore series featured Heidi Shenk from Row House 14, an independent stationery brand. The “Sweater Weather” candle – The candle I have and love, which has notes of pecan, cedar, cinnamon, chrysanthemum, apple, berry, and green leaves. The “For the Love of Chocolate” candle – The first candle on my wish list with notes of sugar, cream, walnut, fudge, vanilla, and butter. The “Roxanne” candle – This candle has notes of jasmine, fresh lavender, musk, cedar, and Asian sandalwood. It reminds Mora of her mom, whose middle name is Roxanne.

Follow Zoe & Co. Candle Company on Instagram!

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