Molly Shackleton Living Her Dream as Owner of Short Beach Candle Company

Molly Shackleton, a resident of the Short Beach area of Branford for the past four years, says, "If you're lucky enough to live and dream in Short Beach, you're lucky enough."

Shackleton has been doing just that as the owner of Short Beach Candle Company. Influenced by Short Beach's "nostalgia and charm" and a burning candle, she said Short Beach Candle was born "literally overnight."

She learned the trade with each of her "signature candles is hand-poured with the very finest natural soy and the highest quality essential oils," according to her website.

"So much of our goods and services are automated that I feel the love has been mechanized right out of things," said Shackleton. "My hands are literally in every piece of the product from the wax to the wick to the labels on the jars – I think that kind of care and effort is important and rarely celebrated."

In addition, going through this process by hand allows Shackleton the freedom to adapt to her customers' needs. 

"I let my customers steer the ship by taking every one of their suggestions to heart – even when it comes to candle scents," she said. "If they want a bacon and chocolate scented candle, I will back flip through flaming hoops to give it to them."  

You can check out (and smell) Short Beach Candles at Branford's own Towne Pharmacy, Guilford's Sachem Card and Party Shop, East Haven's Country Squire and Madison's Headhunters Hair Studio. You can also order online and get more information on its Facebook page.

"I dreamt of it [products being sold in sotres] 24/7, but never truly believed that people would have the positive response that they did," she said. "I'm humbled daily by the support and incredible feedback I receive." 

While Shackleton is thrilled to see her products in local shops, her dream is to one day have her own store devoted to her craft and her product.

"I hope to keep growing and to bring my customers on the journey with me," she said. "They are incredible and I'd like to open a store where they could come in to sniff, touch and shop and see the candle-making process unfold right before their eyes."

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