Co-founders Nate and Amy Stone, the innovators behind the concept were inspired by a desire to find a method to improve the world in real ways. It all started in 2019 with an event space called Cathedral. Their sole purpose for existence is to help others. They believe that people see our world's problems and have a desire to help but often don't know where to start. That's where businesses can jump in by giving people an option to do so. 

Cathedral works directly with young men moving through the juvenile justice system, as well as those incarcerated, homeless, or in foster care, and all profits from Cathedral are donated to various charities. Initially, these individuals would do odd jobs like cleaning and organizing in the event space to help prepare for scheduled events. 

During COVID, there were essentially no events for over a year, and they just wouldn’t accept that the partnerships that they had started with these young men in transition couldn’t continue, so like many, they pivoted, and Spír (pronounced like inspire) Candle Co. was born. Spír is the Latin word for breathe—something Spír hopes to help others do so more easily by providing jobs, mentorship, and a space to breathe for at-risk individuals. They learned how to make candles and started selling them in their markets and online. Initially, it went about as well as you’d expect it to. They were using forks for wick holders and spent a ton of time on YouTube trying to learn how to make the candles. Then as Nate tells it, "we reached out to other candlemakers who graciously shared their knowledge despite us being potential competitors. It was really beautiful."

The initial release of their first two candle options sold over 200. It confirmed their fundamental belief that people want to help, and they simply need opportunities to do so. Spír candles have never been about a candle. In Nate's view "they’re about caring for people in meaningful ways and inviting others to do the same. We were confident that it was worth pursuing. The market for helping others is infinite."

You might be wondering how things are going. In June of last year, they hired Shane, their first full time candlemaker. He has been with Spír for three years, was released last June, and now oversees all candle production while mentoring the other young men they work with. Spír recently celebrated Shane's one-year anniversary in his new role AND one year out of the justice system.

Other milestones achieved during 2023–24 by the group include working with 35 young men with periods of incarceration and recently surpassing 5,000 hours of paid employment to these young men. Nate adds, "What that looks like day to day is time to invest in and care for that community. It means walks on breaks to grab coffees for the team. It means birthday ice cream. It means hugs when our guys arrive and hugs when they leave. It means time we get to build and earn trust. Time to listen. Time to encourage. Time to care. That’s a lot of hours. We try to maximize them all."

THESE CANDLES HELP PEOPLE... When you purchase your candle from Spír Candle Co., you buy more than a candle. You’re investing in the young people they work with—so they can have the best opportunity to become who they aspire to be. All profits from Spír candle sales go back into the company to employ more young men.

"We believe doing something is better than nothing. In this case, that something is buying a candle."  Nate and Amy Stone