From a Dog Named Journey to a God-Given Purpose: The Story Behind SaltLight Candles
- Erin Weishuapt
- Aug 2
- 3 min read
If someone had told me years ago that I would one day own a candle company, I probably wouldn't have believed them. SaltLight Candles wasn't something I dreamed up on my own—it was something God lovingly led me to, one step at a time.
Like so many meaningful stories, it all began with someone I love deeply—our dog, Journey.
A Journey That Changed Everything
Journey developed a corneal ulcer that required a long and difficult healing process. Thankfully, she recovered, but after she healed, I started noticing something unusual.
Every time I lit a store-bought candle, her eye would become irritated again. As soon as I put the candle out, the irritation would disappear.
At first, I thought it had to be a coincidence. But after seeing the same thing happen again and again, I knew there had to be more to it.
That experience led me to research what was actually in many commercially made candles. I was surprised to learn about some of the ingredients commonly used and how they can affect indoor air quality, especially for sensitive pets and people.
I wanted something better for our home. Something cleaner. Something I could feel good about burning around my family and our pets.
So, I started making my own candles.
What began as a simple solution quickly became something I truly loved.
From Bees & Boxers to Something Greater
In the beginning, I poured candles for our home and eventually started sharing them with family and friends under the name Bees & Boxers. Watching people enjoy something I had created brought me so much joy, and little by little, the business began to grow.
But even as it grew, I felt God inviting me to seek Him more deeply.
One day during prayer, I asked Him what He wanted this business to become.
In that quiet moment, I felt Him gently speak to my heart:
"You never asked My permission."
Those words changed everything.
They weren't meant to discourage me—they reminded me that if this business was truly going to honor Him, it couldn't simply be built on my own plans. I needed to surrender it completely to His.
So I did.
I laid down the name I had worked so hard to build, my own ideas of what success looked like, and trusted God to lead the way.
In return, He gave me something far greater than I could have imagined.
He gave me the name SaltLight Candles.
Along with the name came the Scripture that has become the foundation of this business—Matthew 5:13–16, where Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world.
More Than a Candle
Today, every SaltLight Candle represents so much more than fragrance.
Every candle is handcrafted with care using clean-burning ingredients because I want families to enjoy beautiful candles with greater confidence. But even more importantly, I want each candle to serve as a reminder of God's love, His peace, and His light.
Lighting a candle often marks a quiet moment—a morning devotion, an evening prayer, time spent reading Scripture, gathering with family, or simply taking a deep breath after a long day.
It is my prayer that every SaltLight Candle becomes part of those moments and gently points your heart back to Jesus.
A Light Worth Sharing
The name SaltLight reminds me every day of the calling we have as Christians—to bring hope, kindness, and the love of Christ into the world around us.
Just as one small candle can brighten a dark room, one life surrendered to God can shine His light in ways we may never fully see.
That truth inspires everything I create.
Thank You for Being Part of My Journey
Looking back, it's amazing to see how God used Journey's healing to begin a completely different journey in my own life.
What started as a search for a cleaner candle became a lesson in trust, surrender, and following God's direction.
Thank you for supporting SaltLight Candles and for allowing me to share this story with you. Whether this is your first candle or you've been with us from the beginning, I pray each one brings warmth to your home, peace to your heart, and serves as a gentle reminder that the true Light of the world is Jesus Christ.
Thank you for being part of this journey with me.
With love and gratitude,
Erin Weishaupt, Founder, SaltLight Candles
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