Bryce Agyapong, ‘24, founder and owner of candle business TellusCandleCo, is helping others to make light of difficult times. In addition to running his business, Agyapong is president of StuCo 2024 and performs in the WHHS Marching Blue and Gold. 

Agyapong has been operating TellusCandleCo since June of 2020 and sells his various candles on Etsy, where he holds a five star rating. 

After realizing he wanted to start a business last year, Agyapong researched various products he could supply that both interested him and were attainable. 

“I was thinking, what’s a basic thing that brings light into peoples’ days, and the most basic thing I could think of was the five senses. I decided that smell was [very important], and so I decided that candles were something that I would like to do,” Agyapong said. “I had thought of starting a business before… then something just clicked.”

Without prior knowledge of candle-making, Agyapong delved into research about the craft.

“As I was doing the research… I realized that soy candles were the thing that I wanted to use because they’re vegan, they’re a bit more sustainable than paraffin and they’re not as harmful. It’s an easier, more natural way to [make candles],” Agyapong said. 

Yet Agyapong’s motivation to start this business extended far beyond anything material; he wanted to create something simple that could positively impact people’s lives.

“I’m just proud that this business was born out of a time that was, and still is, so hard for many people,” Agyapong said. “[I’m proud] that I’m able to provide something to bring a little joy, or a little light… for a person into their day.” 

Agyapong has also learned valuable skills and lessons through running his business, specifically the importance of patience and diligence. 

“It’s taught me patience… you have to be willing to wait,” Agyapong said “You don’t know if a candle is messed up until eight hours later when it’s cooled off. And if it does mess up… you just have to calm down, focus, and do better, especially if it is for an order.” 

As TellusCandleCo is an online-only small business, Agyapong takes care with each of his orders to ensure customer satisfaction despite fluctuating order amounts. Agyapong’s Etsy shop can be found here, and he also runs an Instagram account @telluscandleco 

“If I get one order a month or if I get [a lot]… as long as I’m providing something to help someone, or just providing for someone, I feel like that’s [valuable],” Agyapong said. 

However, Agyapong has faced various obstacles and challenges while running his business. Since his candles must be shipped, Agyapong has needed to correct multiple mistakes, including damage to his products. 

“A month or two into when I started… one of [a customer’s] candles broke. I felt so terrible because that was the first time anything like that had ever happened, and so I immediately sent her another one,” Agyapong said.

Despite these struggles, Agyapong anticipates continuing his business into the future and hopes to fulfill larger orders for customers. 

“Recently I was able to supply for a [baby shower] and I was able to get [a customer] 35 candles which was very fun, and I was very happy that I was able to be part of that moment,” Agyapong said. 

Agyapong’s biggest takeaway from starting his business has been the importance of appreciation and dedication. 

“A little candle burning on the side of your desk while you’re working can really change the whole mood of your day. So I try to think of that while I make a candle for another person… that this can just be something that makes the process easier, whatever that process may be,” Agyapong said. “It’s taught me to appreciate the small things and appreciate the little details… the lessons I have been taught will stick with me forever.”

Due to supply shortages, some candles by TellusCandleCo are temporarily unavailable, but Agyapong hopes to add new candles to his shop in the near future. Students may use the code “Walnut” before Jan.1 to receive a 10% discount, and all orders over $35 include free shipping.