In a world that often measures success by profit, some leaders choose a different path. Nate Stone is one of them. His work is not defined by what he gains, but by what he gives. Through Cathedral, Spír Candle Company, and the Spír Foundation, he is creating meaningful change in the lives of young men who are often overlooked.
At the center of everything Nate does is a simple belief. People matter more than profit.
That belief comes to life inside Cathedral, an event space in Seattle with a purpose that sets it apart. Every event held there becomes an opportunity to give back. Instead of keeping profits, Cathedral directs its impact toward supporting young men who are navigating life after time in the juvenile justice system. It is a space where community and generosity come together in a real and tangible way.
For Nate, Cathedral was never just about events. It was about building something that lasts. A place where people can gather, where community can grow, and where every moment has meaning. Yet the most important work does not happen during the events. It happens behind the scenes.
Not long after opening Cathedral, Nate began working with young men from a transitional home in the Kirkland area. Many of them are teenagers coming out of juvenile detention, trying to find their footing in a world that had not made space for them. Nate chose to see them differently.
“We are not talking about big, scary, criminals. We are talking about kids,” Nate shares. “Once you see that, the only real response is to do something about it.”
Inside Cathedral, these young men begin with simple tasks. They clean, organize, and prepare the space. But the job is only the starting point. What matters most is the environment they step into. It is steady. It is supportive. It is built on trust and consistency.
They are seen. They are known. And for many, that changes everything.
When the pandemic brought events to a sudden stop, the work could have ended. Instead, it grew stronger. Nate made the choice to continue showing up, even when the future of the business was uncertain. That decision led to the creation of Spír Candle Company.
What began as a way to stay connected quickly became something much more. Today, Spír Candle Company provides employment for young men with lived experience in the justice system. As they make candles, they also build skills that will carry into every part of their lives. They learn attention to detail, teamwork, communication, and responsibility.
Spír, which means to breathe, reflects the deeper purpose behind the work. It creates space. Space to grow, to rebuild, and to imagine a different future.
Over the years, this work has provided more than 13,000 hours of paid employment to over 70 young men. Each hour represents more than a paycheck. It represents growth, trust, and a step forward.
Along the way, Nate recognized something important. A job is powerful, but it is not enough on its own.
That realization led to the creation of the Spír Foundation. This next step expands the support these young men receive by focusing on the full journey of rebuilding their lives.The foundation provides structure, mentorship, and real life skills that help them succeed beyond the workplace.
Participants move through a program that not only teaches them how to work, but helps them understand what they are learning. They begin to recognize their strengths. They gain the language to speak about their growth. They start to see themselves in a new way.
“Most people want to help,” Nate says. “They just do not know where to start.”
Through Cathedral, Spír Candle Company, and the Spír Foundation, that starting point now exists.
This work is changing lives through steady care, consistent support, and a deep belief in what is possible. It is proof that when one person chooses to act with purpose, the impact can reach far beyond what they ever imagined.
We invited YOU to be part of this story.
Host your next event at Cathedral and turn a gathering into something that gives back. Choose Spír candles for your home or gifts and support a young man working toward a new future. Share their story. Start a conversation. Get involved.
Because small choices lead to real change.
And together, those choices can help build a future that is stronger, more just, and full of possibility.
Cathedral - https://seattlecathedral.com/
Spir Candle Co - https://www.spircandleco.com/
“Most people want to help, they just do not know where to start.” ~ Nate Stone