We had the good fortune of connecting with Andrea Kleinman-Parker and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Andrea, how does your business help the community?
Big Heart Candle Company was founded with the mission to give back to the American Heart Association through the sale of hand-crafted, exquisitely curated candles. About a decade ago, as a newly diagnosed heart patient, I got to attend the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions in Dallas. While listening to a lecturer share new findings about dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure (my exact diagnosis), the seed was planted for my new direction. At each lecture, an international panel shared its collaborative, cross-specialty research findings, spanning topics from heart therapies, genetic testing, comorbidities, and life expectancies. I realised my future included not only a personal fight against heart disease but also a lifetime commitment to funding the research that saved my life. Big Heart Candle Company donates 10% of its profit to the American Heart Association and, as is clear from the scientific sessions, research and education funded by the AHA helps cardiac patients in our community and globally.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
In college, I started in the architecture program and graduated with a business degree. My untrained creative side begged for an outlet while I was full time momming. I constantly indulged in creative outlets: learning photography, writing, painting, knitting and figuring out anything and everything that sparked my creative interests. It was heart failure that led me to where I am today, professionally. Getting healthy, rearing self-sufficient kids, kicking self-doubt to the curb, and figuring out what I could do with what I’ve got became my focus. Essentially, I just kept putting one foot in front of the other..and then I tried making candles. True story: I built an etsy page for Big Heart Candle Company after several months of testing but still wasn’t sure my product was perfect (It wasn’t. It isn’t.). I didn’t realize that I had actually published the site until I heard that etsy sale ping on my phone. My friend had shared my business on social media and I haven’t looked back.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You know, this is a really funny question to ask a heart failure patient (or anyone) in 2020. My friends can’t visit Dallas without having lunch and downtime at Klyde Warren Park. On Saturday morning, we would take my dogs to the Farmer’s Market, stocking up on some veggies to cook for dinner alongside our mains from Cattleack. After an outdoor breakfast at Oddfellows, a day shopping around Bishop Arts, a Dallas Grilled Cheese lunch followed by a slice from Emporium Pies would make an ideal day. Dinner at Enos because pizza is life. Drinks after at The Local Oak. For contrast, we need an afternoon window shopping around Legacy west, enjoying a dinner that must include eggplant pillows on the patio at Kai. I’m hoping for either a spring or fall visit because that’s my favorite time to go to the arboretum and walk around White Rock. It’s also a beautiful time of year to visit the Nasher. Then, it’s just an efrog ride between the DMA and the Thompson rooftop. I haven’t actually been to the Thompson, but look forward to checking it out after the second dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Now I’m really hoping she’ll come visit!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Big Heart Candle Company wouldn’t exist without our customers. I appreciate the people who bought candles when I was just starting out and the people who purchased candles online, sight unseen and scents unsniffed. A shoutout also to the folks around DFW who spend their weekends and their dollars supporting local, small businesses.

Website: www.bigheartcandlecompany.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bigheartcandlecompany
Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigheartcandlecompany
Other: www.bigheartcandleco.etsy.com

Image Credits
Photography: Amy Palmer-Gogan Graphic Design: Marla Buskin

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.