I first met Annemarien, the owner of Hooties Candles and Things, a couple of years back at an event where she was a vendor. The quality and aesthetics of her products instantly drew me to her table. Her personality, compassion, kindness, commitment, and passion for what she does is what made her part of my group of women business owners that I will always support and recommend.

Annemarien started Hooties Candles out of necessity for clean products, made from natural ingredients and clean fragrances, that would last and not compromise the quality of it all. Her daughter has eczema and allergies and her mother had been diagnosed with cancer, so she did what she could to create candles, diffusers, and other products that they could all use without having to worry about a bad reaction to them.

Here is more about Hooties Candles, a Cape Coral family owned company, how they became, and what is to follow:

1. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you end up in SWFL?
   My name is Annemarien and I am a mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend and a Candle Maker. I am dreamer, a non-stop crafter, a book and OWL lover. I was born in Cuba and grew up in Golden Gate Estates in Naples. After meeting my husband we moved to Miami, but as time went by and our daughter was born we always wanted to move back and have her grow up in SWFL as I did. We love the easy-going lifestyle, the breeze of the Gulf Coast beaches, the calm vibes, and the sense of community.

2. When did your passion for making candles started?
   My passion for candle-making started when I was a child. I have always been a non-stop crafter. For many years I would do small candles to give to friends and family, but never before made it into a business. During the pandemic, my family kept pushing me to get in tune with my passions.

3. What led you to start Hooties Candles?
   My family! I have always been into crafts, but never into making it a business. My family had other ideas and kept pushing why not do it as a business and do what you love? I knew I wanted to create a product they could use without fear of reactions or harsh chemicals. With that always in mind, I started to work on Hootie’s.

4. Tell us a little bit about the products you offer
   At Hooties our mission is to always offer products that are made of natural ingredients and clean fragrances. We focus on providing people with a soothing body and soul experience. As a business, we try to accomplish this by offering products that are Handmade, Eco friendly, and Cruelty-free, with No Toxins, phthalate, sulfate, and paraben-free, Carcinogens, or Pollutants. To make our products we use sustainable coconut soy wax and Crackling Wood wick, sustainably sourced in the USA.

5. Which one is your favorite candle?
   My Favorite candle ... how can a mother make a decision between her children.... but I really enjoy the scent of Peony. I enjoy the feeling of calm that it brings me, and how the scent transports me to springtime no matter the time of year. It's decoration and aroma has a sense of feminine sexiness.

6. What is your favorite thing about SWFL?
   Oh SWFL, evokes a sense of tranquility and community that is hard to find in other places. I especially enjoy the overwhelming amount of local support towards small businesses in the community and the community value that it holds.

7. What inspires you daily?
   My daily inspiration comes from My family and clients. My family inspires me by never losing faith in my dreams even as crazy as they are sometimes, and my clients inspire me when clients come up to say hi and tell me excitedly how happy they are with their candles and products. It fills me with pride that products made by my hands and dedication can make such an impact in someone’s home in our community.

8. Any advice for people wanting to start their health journey?
   My advice for people wanting to start their journey is that the path may not be easy, but easy things do not help you grow. When starting a journey, do your research, don't take no for an answer, ask for help, and don't give up no matter how hard it may seem. Most importantly have faith in yourself, your work, and your dream.

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