Meet Alex Lyons | Small Shop Owner & Candle Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Alex Lyons and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alex, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Rae of Sunshine, aka my small shop serves as more than just a retail space; it’s a safe space for the community—a place where everyone is embraced with love and acceptance. Within these walls, people find not only unique products but also a sense of belonging. By curating a diverse range of products and fostering a bright atmosphere of inclusivity, I aim to create a space where individuals from all walks of life feel valued and respected. Along with that, I’m passionate about uplifting other women owned shops, regardless of the size of their businesses. Whether it’s through carrying their products in-store or putting together markets to spotlight their talents. Through these markets and events at the shop, I’ve not only made life long friendships but also cultivated a tight-knit community of wonderful individuals who support each other wholeheartedly.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Like many people nowadays, my small business story began with the world shutting down in 2020. At just 18 years old, my boyfriend (now husband) and I welcomed our first baby girl in January 2020. I was working a job I used to love passionately, but the flame had dimmed. So, I decided to take the leap and turn my greatest passion, candle making, into a career—or at least plant the seed for what would soon become my full-time pursuit. In April of 2020, I opened Rae of Sunshine Candle Company, and it quickly gained traction. Life transitioned from calm to bustling, with my late-night kitchen transforming into a makeshift workshop filled with candle-making supplies, baby toys, and the scent of ambition. Balancing the demands of growing my business, attending college full-time, planning a wedding, and motherhood became my daily reality. Despite the whirlwind of candles and chaos, my business thrived, thanks in part to a local market that became a major stepping stone to my success. After almost a year of markets, I secured my first booth in one of our local consignment shops, and momentum continued to build from there. By the second year of my business, I was nine months pregnant with our second baby girl and preparing to open my first brick-and-mortar shop. At this point, it was no longer just “Rae of Sunshine Candle Company”; I realized it was about more than just candles—it was about creating a space for women-owned businesses to flourish. I had cultivated numerous creative friendships along the way, inspiring me to establish a women-owned collective featuring a variety of handmade products. With determination and creativity, I reached out to businesses to curate a collective of like-minded entrepreneurs to showcase their talents within my shop. This wasn’t always done with confidence, as I reached out to some vendors I thought were too established for a store that hadn’t even opened yet, especially in a small Texas town. However, everyone saw my vision and entrusted me to create a beautiful space where many creative women could coexist. While I no longer offer consignment vendor spots due to the workload, I remain committed to uplifting women-owned businesses and fostering a community of empowerment and entrepreneurship. And of course, I still create some pretty amazing candles.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
When my friends from out of town visit Downtown Denison, I always kick off our outings with a visit to Niche (formerly known as 410 coffee + collective). This iconic coffee shop is a staple in our downtown plus they have a wide variety of house plants to shop while you wait for your coffee. From there, I bring my friends along to some of my favorite shopping spots downtown. Starting with Zig Zag Galleries, it’s a must-stop shop, with their modern art gallery and unique offerings such as their affordable hat bar. Then, we always make a stop at Fyr Flower, a beautiful CBD shop, Blue Ryan for the latest fashion trends, and the Main Street Mall, a vintage emporium. To cap off the day, I always introduce my friends to our downtown neighbors at Say When Brewery. They craft all their beer in-house and serve craft pizza and other dishes made primarily with locally sourced produce.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jenna Zapata, the creative behind Zig Zag Galleries, deserves recognition for being so instrumental in the growth of my small business. Her local art gallery provided me with a platform to showcase and sell my products through her beautifully curated markets. These events proved to be pivotal moments for my business, generating excitement around my products, introducing me to a broader customer base, and ultimately contributed to the establishment of my brand identity. Jenna’s invaluable guidance and unwavering support not only gave me the confidence to take my business further but also helped me discover my true passion and niche within the market.

Website: Raeofsunshinecollective.com

Instagram: @raeofsunshinecollective

Facebook: @Raeofsunshinecollective

Image Credits
Amanda with Arc Creative Co