About Us
Way Out Wax was founded in 1992 with a vision to produce hand-crafted works of art utilizing socially and environmentally responsible business practices. Our products are a reflection of our beautiful natural surroundings and the lifestyles of those who make them, embracing good health and maintaining the balance of nature. We firmly believe in the “Triple Bottom Line” (People, Planet…then, Profit) and strive to create an alternative working atmosphere where creativity, flexibility and respect are given top priority. It is our goal to build lasting friendships with our customers, our community and one another, so feel free to drop us a line if you’d like to connect (or re-connect!).
Since our inception, Way Out Wax has passed through a number of evolutionary stages beginning with dip-your-own psychedelic kaleidoscope candles (a favorite at festivals and in our Burlington, VT store) and our 1995 transition to pure essential oil aromatherapy candles before it was “fashionable.” Click the links on the left if you’d like to read more about our history or if you’d like to see the friendly faces hard at work in our Vermont factory. Come on in and stay awhile!
OUR HISTORY
IN THE BEGINNING
Way back in 1992, Jim Rossiter and a few dear friends began making candles under the name Way Out Wax. The original shop in downtown Burlington featured “dip your own” candles as well as the “Kaleidoscope” candle (which was every bit as colorful as the name implies). After selling tie-dyed t-shirts at rock concerts, making a tie-dyed candle was a natural and profitable progression. The Kaleidoscopes and other Tie-Dyed candles grew steadily in popularity and had made quite a name for themselves by 1995 when Jim became increasingly aware that colorful candles aren’t in harmony with a healthy lifestyle.
THE “A-HA!” MOMENT
Candle dyes, though beautiful, are highly toxic and release a number of known toxins and carcinogens into the air while a candle is burning. A company full of people who pride themselves on recycling, carpooling, eating organic food and being environmentally conscious need to apply principles of healthy living to every aspect of their lives! The Kaleidoscopes were bid a fond farewell and a new plan was hatched.
PURE BOTANICAL ESSENCES
Working in conjunction with a certified aromatherapist, Way Out Wax decided to pursue all-natural aromatherapy candles. Already skilled in the mechanics of candle-making thanks to the Kaleidoscope-phase, they now could concentrate on sourcing pure essential oils and the finest, all-natural wax blends. The results were amazing. They launched a line of single scent aromatherapy candles as well as a line of synergistic blends created by their friend and mentor, certified aromatherapist Wendy Dorsey.
STANDING OUT IN OUR INDUSTRY
Over time, Way Out Wax faced many of the dilemmas facing other environmentally conscious companies. Reducing packaging, recycling cardboard and even wax were just some of the ways they met the challenges inherent in the business world. Soon, Way Out Wax began appearing in natural foods markets across the country, as consumers began to realize that their candles need to match their lifestyles. Using the phrase “It’s What’s Inside That Counts”, Way Out Wax explained to consumers that subtle, natural hues are beautiful and offered alternatives to the candle dyes and synthetic fragrances found in the mainstream candle market.
THESE DAYS
Today, Way Out Wax remains more committed than ever to providing an environmentally friendly candle in an increasingly toxic world. We strive to reduce our ecological footprint while providing an affordable, practical and uncompromised aromatherapy experience. We are also having a lot of fun and enjoying delicious aromas while proving that candles can be both beautiful and completely natural.
FACES & THE FACTORY
THE FACTORY
In a time when it seems that everyone is owned by a multi-national corporation and subsequently outsourced, we’re happy to say that we are privately owned and operated by the same good people who had a waxy dream way back in 1992. We handcraft all of our products in our own facility in North Hyde Park, Vermont because providing good jobs to good people in our community is an integral part of our business model. Nestled in the Green Mountains of Northern Vermont, we are blessed with wild & wonderful natural surroundings and try to share that beauty with each product we create. Every few years, we like to update our mission statement (to keep it fresh), but one phrase that has remained throughout our many incarnations says it well: “Way Out Wax was created to provide an alternative working atmosphere where the primary focus is on quality of life. Enjoy Life Now.”
THE FACES
We are real people, with real stories and real dreams. We have wildly different backgrounds, experiences and ideas but realize that diversity is one of our biggest assets and have built a workplace environment that fosters creativity, respect and friendship. You’re welcome to look through the pictures below if you’d like to see us working hard… and having fun. It’s nice to meet you!