Six years ago, my Smarty friend Julie Tassy started a customized candle line out of her home-based personalized gift business, Ella B. Candles. Naming lovely fragrant soy candles after Charlotte neighborhoods, she found a niche in the local retail market. A friend encouraged her to expand into other cities with the concept. So, with a cooler in her trunk and the full support of her hubby, she pitched the idea to stores in Nashville, Birmingham and Atlanta. It was evident that this neighborhood candle concept was a hit. So two years into the adventure, her handsome husband left the corporate world to join her. In Julie’s own words, “He had put up with my crazy business ideas for over ten years. Finally, he could benefit from one of them… he doesn’t have to travel or wear suits to work anymore.” It was a no-brainer. Fast forward to today, and you’ll find her Neighborhood candles across the country in hundreds of specialty stores in big cities and little towns. But every last one of them is made with love right here in the QC.
Christopher and Julie have continued to expand their candle business, and recently launched a beautiful line of Sorority Candles and Diffusers. Here’s Julie: “I’m kind of obsessed with details. It’s not enough to just make a candle. I wanted to create something beautiful. Something new. Something that no-one else has made.” Well, this Sorority line is just that. The fragrances, ΩΜΓ (Greek translation: OHHH-EMMM-GEEE)!
The Sisterhood candle fragrance is my all-time favorite Ella B. fragrance (a close second is Myers Park!). Not to mention, my Tri Delta roots – these candles just make me happy. And, as if that isn’t enough, the candle is in a keepsake glass printed with each sorority’s letters or crest. The packaging is not only fabulous, it has a cute little gift tag (Insert squeal)! Talk about the perfect gift for your summer babysitter or when your daughter pledges her favorite house.
Here’s the super fun part! Y’all are cordially invited to shop for the Sorority Candles and Diffusers at The Hive at Ella B. Candles all month long. You can buy now as you send off your favorite summer sitter, or in a few weeks when you find out what house your daughter is in. Or for you immediately so you can take a stroll down memory lane:-) Trust me, you’re going to want to stay a while and hang out with these fabulous ladies! Smarty Bonus: Get 15% off the Ella B. Sorority line for the entire month of August – thanks, Ella B.!!
You can find the Ella B. Candles Hive at:
9517 Monroe Road
Charlotte, NC 28270
Hours: M-F, 8-5
You can also find your sorority and shop online (and have them shipped to your fave sorority girl) here. Enter code SMARTY15 and get 15% off sorority products ordered on sercie for the month of August.
Ella B. Candles is licensed with 22 sororities, and a portion of your purchase goes back to the Greek organization. Know a college student who wants to host a Trunk Show on her campus this fall? Julie is looking for Campus Ambassadors – perfect for your Sorority Sue as she heads off to college! Contact her here at info@ellabcandles.com or at 980.339.8898.
Here’s Julie:
“I think one of the best parts of building this business is being a part of a team. If you come to The Hive – where we pour and package each candle – you’ll see a group of women working hard, encouraging each other, and having fun! We’re kind of like our own sorority. These women are my tribe – I can’t wait for you to meet them!”
