Homegrown candle business finds its flame in Calypso

CALYPSO — Husband-and-wife duo Jimmy Tyndall and Daniela Nieves have transformed a family hobby into a thriving business in Calypso. Heart’s Desire Candle Company was established in 2007 and initially operated from their home. However, due to various life events, the business became dormant for a period of time.

A decade later, the couple started up again with 24 to 25 different fragrances along with the tools they had stored in their barn. They began fulfilling small orders from their home once again. Over time, customers expressed a desire for a physical location where they could experience the products in person. In the Fall of 2023, they decided to return to business full-time and began searching for a shop location.

“When you step outside of your home, it is a risk. It takes a lot of faith to jump out there, but this happened so organically that it was hard to say no,” Tyndall explained.

In his full-time job, Tyndall serves as the executive administrator for the Town of Faison and is also a part-time water operator for Calypso. Nieves works full-time at the Sampson County Health Department.

As a team, it was their goal to set up shop in Faison, but the opportunities were not opening there for them.

“If the door doesn’t open, we’re not going to pick the lock,” Tyndall said. Then they met the owner of a vintage building in Calypso. “They were very gracious and welcoming to us. It was not where we thought we would be, but here we are and everyone has been very welcoming to us,” Tyndall said.

On March 18, 2024, Heart’s Desire Candle Company opened to the public at 109 W. Trade Street, Calypso. In their shop, they offer a variety of products including soaps, lip balms, lotions, shampoos, hand sanitizers, candles, wax melts, refillable plug-ins, car fragrances, beard oils, beard balms and sugar scrubs. The fragrance list grew to 160 primarily as customers requested specific smells to be found or created. Searching for the right ingredients is like an Easter egg hunt; it’s a challenge Heart’s Desire is proud to take on. Scents are diverse, from Hershey’s trademark chocolate to layered scents like leather vanilla and spiced fruit cider.

“The whole premise of this shop was to be able to offer the public something that we feel can stand up against anybody in quality and at a price that makes sense,” Tyndall said. “We are unique in a lot of ways; the sky’s the limit as far as what you want.”

Heart’s Desire is unique because it can make the same fragrance available in a variety of products, mix the ratios, and do all of this at an affordable price. Most orders are also available within 48 hours. All scents are available year-round; you can purchase Christmas tree candles in July if you want to. Heart’s Desire can also do custom pours.

“If it is heat resistant and will hold up in the microwave or oven, we’ll use it,” Tyndall said. Some interesting pours in the past have included family heirloom china and antique brass bowls.

Heart’s Desire is very picky about their ingredients; raw materials have been sourced from California to the Carolinas.

“98% of our fragrances are all skin safe and five-star quality. We search really hard to find materials that are mostly vegan, always cruelty-free and natural. Our wax is a soy-coconut natural blend,” Tyndall explained.

Now starting into their second year at the Calypso location, Heart’s Desire is always thinking of new ways to appeal to the customers.

“At the end of the day, it is up to the customer whether or not that door stays open or not. So far, we have been very well received. This business pays for its right to be here,” Tyndall said.

Both Daniela and Jimmy do what they do for the love of it; labor costs have not been added to the products.

“We entered this thing together, and that makes a huge difference. It’s really easy to work together in this because it’s what we do; It doesn’t feel like work,” they agree. Still, they both have their roles to play in the business. Daniela handles all the meticulous, detailed aspects like pictures and labels, as well as their online presence on Etsy and Instagram. Jimmy handles Facebook and all the math; he can tell you what every component in the store costs. Though they both manufacture the products, Jimmy is the primary maker.

“Everyone likes their stuff to smell good. There seems to be a stereotype that only women want their stuff to smell good, yet I’m the guy (here making stuff to smell good),” Tyndall laughed. While they both have great support from their full-time jobs for this venture, they recognize that work comes first.

“As much as we love this,” Tyndall explained, “it does not interfere with what we do for a living. It can’t.”

Heart’s Desire Candle Company is open from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday thru Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.