Biography of Loree Sandler: Founder of Let Them Eat Candles -Entrepreneur
Biography of Loree Sandler:
Serendipitous Beginning
Loree Sandler had never imagined herself as a business
owner, but the seed for Let Them Eat Candles was planted one day while
celebrating her youngest son’s birthday. As she watched traditional wax candles
ruin the cake, a thought crossed her mind: why didn’t edible candles exist?
That simple question turned into a spark of inspiration, leading her to create
a new product that would change the way people celebrated birthdays.
A Journey into Chocolate
Though Loree had no experience working with chocolate, she
was determined to turn her idea into reality. She took classes to learn the
craft and worked tirelessly to develop prototypes. Over the course of a few
years and countless attempts, Loree finally created a product that was not only
beautiful but also delicious—premium chocolate candles that could be eaten
after lighting.
From Idea to Product
After perfecting the recipe and design, Loree was ready to
introduce her edible chocolate candles to the world. She launched Let Them Eat
Candles on TheGrommet.com in early 2016. It was an exciting moment, but the
success of the product quickly exceeded Loree’s ability to handcraft every
candle herself. Her next step was to find a manufacturing partner who could
produce the candles at scale.
Biography of Loree Sandler: Founder of Let Them Eat Candles -Entrepreneur #startup#age#net worth#investor#Let Them Eat Candles#shark tank#Loree Sandler
Scaling Up with a Partner
In 2016, Loree found a manufacturing partner who could help
bring Let Them Eat Candles to a larger market. This partner had
state-of-the-art equipment and the capability to produce the candles on a
bigger scale. The partnership seemed promising, and Loree was confident that
they would be able to grow the business together. She even began receiving
orders from major retailers, signaling a bright future for her product.
Unexpected Setbacks
By the spring of 2019, the business landscape shifted. The
company that had been manufacturing Loree’s candles was sold to new owners. The
new team initially expressed enthusiasm about continuing to produce the
chocolate candles, but soon, things took a turn for the worse. The new
manufacturing partner struggled to meet the growing demand, and eventually,
they dropped Loree’s brand entirely, leaving her in a difficult position.
Facing the Challenge
This sudden disruption could have been catastrophic for Let
Them Eat Candles. Loree had secured large orders from major clients like
Nothing Bundt Cakes and a national grocery chain, and now, her ability to
fulfill these orders was at risk. Despite the setback, Loree refused to give
up. She reached out to her network in the confectionary industry, hoping to
find a new manufacturer who could take over production.
Rebuilding After the Setback
With the help of her industry contacts, Loree was able to
find a new manufacturing partner who could meet her needs. However, this
transition came with its own set of challenges. Loree had to communicate delays
to her new customers, which impacted her reputation. The uncertainty of the
situation caused a great deal of stress, but Loree remained determined to keep
her business afloat.
Overcoming the Learning Curve
Starting Let Them Eat Candles from scratch wasn’t easy, and
Loree quickly realized that running a business came with many challenges. In
addition to finding reliable manufacturers and fulfilling customer orders,
Loree had to learn everything from sales techniques to packaging and
distribution. Shipping chocolate in the summer heat, dealing with delays, and
rising costs were just a few of the hurdles she had to navigate.
Educating the Market
Edible chocolate candles were a completely new concept, and
Loree had to educate her customers about the product. People weren’t used to
shopping for candles that could be eaten, so everything from the brand name to
the packaging had to be carefully designed to catch the eye and explain the
concept. Loree knew that she had a unique product, but spreading the word and
ensuring it was understood by consumers took time and effort.
Celebrating the Wins
Despite the many challenges, Loree’s perseverance paid off.
Let Them Eat Candles began to gain traction, and Loree sold over 1.5 million
candles. Her product had found a place in people’s celebrations, and she was
proud to have made a mark in the industry. Loree had transformed her simple
idea into a successful business, elevating birthday parties and special
occasions with her innovative edible candles.
The Entrepreneurial Journey
Launching a business in her late forties wasn’t part of
Loree’s original plan, but it became her passion. Starting from scratch, Loree
experienced both personal and commercial growth as she navigated the
complexities of entrepreneurship. While the road was tough, the rewards of
seeing her product succeed made every struggle worthwhile. Loree was able to
prove that it’s never too late to start something new.
A Quiet Revolution
Let Them Eat Candles wasn’t just a business for Loree—it was
a revolution. She had reinvented a traditional product, turning candles into
something fun and delicious. By doing so, Loree created a new category in the
market, proving that innovation often comes from simple ideas that challenge
the status quo. With every candle sold, she’s helped people celebrate in a more
flavorful way.
Timeline for story
2016 (Early): Loree launched Let Them Eat Candles on
TheGrommet.com.
2016 (Mid): Partnered with a manufacturer to scale
production.
2019 (Spring): Manufacturing partner was sold, and new team
struggled to meet demand.
2019 (Late): New manufacturer found after disruption,
causing delays and challenges.
2019-2020: Overcame learning curve in business, from sales
to distribution.
2021: Educated the market about edible chocolate candles,
gaining traction.
2021-2022: Sold over 1.5 million candles, marking business
success.
Present: Proven that innovation can come from simple ideas,
revolutionizing celebrations.
