FEBRUARY 2025 SMALL BUSINESS OF THE MONTH: FLORA CANDLE COMPANY

Flora Candle Co. brings warmth and sustainability to Main Street

Flora Candle Company started with a simple idea: create beautiful candles without taking from the earth.

Founded by Nolan Willhite and Troy Weber, the company uses 100 percent soy wax, a natural, renewable resource that burns cleanly and slowly. All their materials are sourced from the Midwest, reducing transportation emissions and supporting local businesses.

Nolan's connection to the business is personal. It’s a love letter to his Aunt Florann, who was huge part of his life. She adored candles, and after she passed, he started making candles in his kitchen to cope with the grief.

It began there in his kitchen and grew into something more. Four years ago, he and Troy launched Flora Candle Co., selling their products at the Lafayette Farmer’s Market before opening their Main Street shop just two years later. Nolan named the company Flora Candle Co. as a way to keep his Aunt’s memory alive.

Troy’s been all in on sustainability from the start. To make something beautiful, yes—but to make it well with thought for the earth and the community. His vision was to build a company that does no harm, that gives back, that stands for something beyond profit. And that’s what they’ve built.

The LGBTQIA+-owned business opens its doors to all. Flora Candle Co. hosts drag shows and offers a diverse range of candles that celebrate love, acceptance and pride.

Each candle tells a story: the city’s bicentennial, the familiar warmth of a local bakery, even a Taylor Swift song turned into scent. They are reminders—of home, of comfort, of all the small moments we try to hold onto. Beyond candles, Flora Candle Co. also offers room sprays, air fresheners and wax melts.

For those who want to take part in the process, Flora offers a pour-your-own candle experience, a popular option for birthdays, date nights, or a night out with friends. They also reward sustainability—customers who return used jars and products get a discount on future purchases.

And if you like surprises, there’s the Flora Candle Club—a box of hand-picked scents delivered to your door every month.

It’s not just about their business. Nolan and Troy are active in the community. They’re both members of the Downtown Lafayette Business Owners Association, and Nolan serves as president of the Board of Blocks, helping support small businesses and enhance downtown Lafayette.

Greater Lafayette is better because of Nolan and Troy. They make our community feel a little bit warmer, a little more welcoming, and yes, a little cooler. And that’s the kind of business that makes a difference.