From Creekside Inspiration to Candlelight Comfort: The Story Behind Ruby Creek Candle Co

 When you first stumble across Ruby Creek Candle Co., you're greeted with an inviting array of hand-poured candles, wax melts, reed diffusers—and soon, incense. But behind the comforting scents and beautiful packaging is the heartwarming story of a woman, her love for her pets, and a mission rooted in care and safety.

Carolyn Cabral, founder of Ruby Creek Candle Co., didn’t set out with dreams of being a business owner. Her journey into entrepreneurship was sparked by a very practical—and personal—need: creating pet-safe scented products for her home. A proud dog mom to six, Carolyn often relied on candles and wax melts to mask the unmistakable presence of a full house of furry companions. But as she delved into ingredient lists, she made a concerning discovery: many commercial products are actually toxic to pets.

“I wanted to make something that I could safely use in my home,” she says. “That’s really where this whole thing started.”

The name Ruby Creek Candle Co. carries its own story. Ruby, one of Carolyn’s six dogs, is both the company’s namesake and a true water lover. “At our old house, there was a creek out back, and Ruby would spend the entire day just jumping and playing in it,” she says.

Carolyn began experimenting with candle-making in her own kitchen, a space she continues to use to this day. “It makes my whole house smell amazing,” she says. But it wasn’t just about candles—she also created wax melts for people like her mother, who lives in a no-candle apartment, and reed diffusers for those who prefer flame-free fragrance options.

Everything Carolyn makes is crafted in small batches, ensuring quality and attention to detail. And while she loves the creative side of the business, she’s learned that running a company—especially alone—is no small feat. “I’m not a very tech-savvy person,” she admits. “Building my website was a huge challenge, and I’m still figuring it out.” Despite the hurdles, Carolyn says the learning curve has been worth it. “There’s so much control in owning a business. I get to decide how my products look, how they’re marketed, and how my website feels.”

Since launching her online-only store (brick-and-mortar was simply out of reach financially), Carolyn has celebrated a few key milestones—her first online customer and her first in-person sale stand out as especially meaningful. “Those moments showed me that people believe in what I’m doing,” she says.

But like many small business owners, she’s also faced the harsh realities of a competitive market and a challenging economy. “It’s hard,” she acknowledges.

As she prepares to launch a new line of incense, Carolyn remains grounded in the values that started it all: safety, scent, and a love for the four-legged companions who inspired her journey.