#peopleseries

[powerofmypeople]

Sonia Chhinji and Fouad Farraj grew up in two different worlds. Sonjia was raised in Vancouver’s budding metropolis making tea-lights and handmade cottons wicks with her mother and grandmother. Fouad Farraji grew up in the beautiful mediterranean country of Lebanon and at a very early age learned the craft of soap making. 

They met in 2011 and after a short while of selling candles to family and friends they decided to launch Woodlot in early 2014. Fouad’s body of experience had been in soap, but the couple felt that by starting with candles (something they both loved) that they could quickly bring enjoyment and tranquility to peoples homes. 

Check out Woodlot here. 

[powerofmypeople]

[powerofmypeople]

We just started making candles for family and friends as holiday gifts. We’ve always wanted to start our own company. We focused on the design and started putting together the building blocks of a brand, then we started to reach out to our favourite stores to see if they would be interested in selling our candles. We started to learn the industry just by being in it.

Sonia Chhinji

[powerofmypeople]

We had a different name for our company originally. One of our scents was called woodlot which was something that started to stick with us. We liked that name and metaphorically it kind of represented what we were doing because we were mining our environment for secondary resources. Our own condo that we rented was where we were making our product, that was our woodlot. It stuck with us. A lot of our products were plant based as well and when it comes to our scents you will probably notice a lot of woodsy undertones.

Fouad Farraj

[powerofmypeople]

The typical candle that you will find in a Home Sense or Ikea are made using paraffin wax, which is a by product of the oil industry. They make paraffin wax out of oil they don't have use for, and when you burn it the paraffin emits carcinogens. A lot of the more progressive companies are making candles out of plant based waxes like soy.

Fouad Farraj

[powerofmypeople]

[powerofmypeople]

Our scents are inspired by our environment, seasons and just being. For example, in summer you want something more uplifting, lighter, fresher and ultimately something that doesn't feel so committal. Where in the cool months you want something that is cozy, warmer, spicier and woodsy. We have been able to cater our scents based off of the seasons. Our inspiration is the season that we're in.

Sonia Chhinji