The Woodlands is full of intriguing people with captivating stories - you simply have to pause and listen. Once you strike up a conversation, hearing their stories turns into a labyrinth of human connection. Luckily, we had the honor of meeting two talented ladies who found an entrepreneurial niche and ran with it. Mika Black, the owner of Evolve Candle Company, and Astrid Haas, the founder of The Glittered Pinecone, saw space for two niche markets within The Woodlands and decided to create products of their own.
Mika Black, the founder of Evolve Candle Company, is our first featured entrepreneur. During the unpredictable year of 2020, Mika’s time with her family cultivated her deep-rooted passion of candle-making when she started making candles as aromatherapy for her husband who had been the first to contract COVID. As she learned more about what toxins were inside the store-bought candles, she realized that she wanted to create safer, cleaner options for her family. Mika’s candles are crafted from natural, toxin-free ingredients and infused with essential oils, offering a safer, worry-free alternative for any home. Her creativity radiates through every candle she makes.
Each of her candles are specifically crafted to inspire what they are named after. Her favorite candle, Love, intends to inspire the aroma of love with scents such as rose, lavender, and other smells that will certainly liven up any space! With these scents, she adds different natural items such as quartz stones and flowers. Her wax melts are also crafted with flowers in them, so when the wax melts you’re left with a beautiful flower.
When asked what her favorite part of growing her business is, Mika said that it was “the idea of me being intentional behind creating something and then seeing the joy that it imparts on other people when they receive it.” Finding someone passionate about their job like Mika truly is a breath of fresh air.
Keep an eye out for Mika’s spring collection which is called Affirmation Collection that encompasses a vibrant, citrusy scent that is perfect for spring as it’s a time of growth and renewal!
I also had the pleasure of meeting Astrid Haas, owner of The Glittered Pinecone. Having moved from Munich, Germany in 2013, Astrid noticed a gap within the school system’s clothing for women. While glittery and sparkly accessories have found themselves trending, Astrid noticed that the school spirit items needed that same excitement, so she created her business around each institution’s unique identity.
Her most popular items are vibrant, beaded straps for clear bags and customizable shirts and banners amongst many other adorable creations! Because of the collective love for exciting and glittery items, Astrid’s business skyrocketed throughout the PTOs in The Woodlands.
Her love for The Woodlands continued to shine through her business as she proceeded to give back to the community through donations. By purchasing an item that features the Conroe Independent School District logo, she donates to the respective PTO which continues to give students resources that further their education, therefore furthering her impact within the community.
As for how she has slowly expanded her business, Astrid simply loves the power of word-of-mouth. “I enjoy one-on-one conversations to get to know the person better.” If you ever have the chance, I would highly suggest meeting up with Astrid because her passion for her business and supporting The Woodland’s schools exemplifies itself through her excitement when talking about the various projects. With her work prominently featured throughout The Woodlands, Astrid is making a lasting impact on the community.
If you’d like to check out either of these exceptional entrepreneurs, consider browsing their websites at evolvecandle.com and theglitteredpinecone.com. If you have the chance, strike up a conversation with them and experience the joy of connecting with two of The Woodlands’ inspiring and talented entrepreneurs!