A passion for candle-making has blossomed into a unique store in Kelowna, where the mother-daughter team of Melanie Bonic and Riley Loreth aim to “spice up” their clients’ lives.
The Style of Emare, which opened last summer, offers an eclectic mix of beautiful hand-poured soy wax candles, funky loungewear, jewellery and one-of-a-kind home accessories.
Boulevard met up with Melanie and Riley to learn more.
Boulevard: Hi Melanie and Riley. Who are the two of you and how did you get to the Okanagan?
Melanie: I am the mom in this mother-daughter duo, and Riley is my daughter. Riley came here eight years ago for a change and never looked back. I came here four years ago!
Boulevard: What is The Style of Emare?
Melanie and Riley: The Style of Emare is a brand we have created. We want to educate people about our products, which are non-toxic (no parabens or phthalates). Many people aren’t aware of the toxins in their candles, room sprays and diffusers, or how they can be affected by them. We opened our boutique in 2023 and our new location is on Lakeshore Road in Kelowna. Along with our candle line, we have jewellery, loungewear, crystals and more. We want to help you elevate your space, your style and your energy!
Boulevard: What is the “creation story” of your business?
Melanie: The story began when Riley first mentioned her desire to make candles. The candles were created at first by using recycled wine bottles as the vessels and putting unique images on them. And then, about a year later, after a “happy hour” on a patio, where we brainstormed our dreams/ideas on a napkin, we eventually expanded into incorporating The Style of Emare vessels, scents and naming the candles after the songs we love! (I think Riley still has the napkin.) To quote Prince: “To create something from nothing is one of the greatest feelings.” And it truly is!
Boulevard: Tell us a little bit about Riley’s research and experimentation with candle-making.
Riley: It took me almost a year to perfect the process, but I was determined from the beginning to use soy wax and non-toxic oils. My focus was on creating candles that were not only aesthetically pleasing, but also healthy and clean.
Boulevard: Where does the name of your store come from?
Riley: We created the name from our initials M and R (em/are). It’s that simple!
Boulevard: What is the philosophy behind the store?
Melanie: Our philosophy is simple – life is too short for dull moments. Embrace the light, celebrate the small joys, and let every flame remind you of the beauty in every day. We don’t just sell candles, we offer a chance to ignite your spirit and illuminate your path with a bit of fun and a lot of passion! We want our store to quite literally “spice up your life!”
Boulevard: How do you decide what products to sell?
Riley: We usually brainstorm on my mom’s couch with a bottle of wine, and it truly comes down to what we would like to have in our home and what we feel will inspire our customers.
Boulevard: What are your bestsellers?
Melanie: Our bestsellers are definitely our candles, along with our diffusers, room sprays and our popular “Don’t F*!~ With My Energy” crewnecks. Our top scent is Spice Up Your Life, featuring a blend of suede, sage and sandalwood.
Boulevard: What makes people want to return to your store?
Riley: We hope customers return to our store for the unique products we carefully curate and the vibrant, energetic atmosphere we offer. Plus, we provide refills for our candle vessels, adding an extra reason to come back!
Boulevard: What in your background makes you the perfect pair to run Emare?
Melanie: Our strong mother-daughter relationship helps with the communication aspect (totally okay to have no filter, ha ha). I offer years of experience in business, marketing and sales, while Riley brings her graphic design diploma and candle-making expertise. Together, we feel our passion and synergy create something special!
Boulevard: What are the rewards of being a mother-daughter team?
Riley: I can go to my mom with anything, whether it’s a crazy idea, a new product or business advice, and I can always count on her for an honest answer. I really value her business advice, and whether we’re working on scent choices, label design, marketing, networking or social media, I wouldn’t choose any other business partner.
Melanie: It’s been a dream come true, opening a store and creating a brand with my daughter. We truly complement one another in the many tasks involved in running a business.
Boulevard: Tell us about the events you hold at the store.
Melanie: Throughout the year, we host events that feature oracle/tarot readings paired with champagne and tapas. Each ticket includes a 15-minute reading and the chance to shop with a friend, offering a fun way to explore these mystical experiences. We also organize pop-ups with local vendors to give them a platform to showcase their products.
Boulevard: What’s in the future for The Style of Emare?
Melanie and Riley: We’re excited about the future of our brand. We have plans to introduce new scents and products while staying committed to clean and safe standards. Our events will continue to evolve, and we’ve launched a wholesale line along with custom candles for businesses. As our window sign says, “Get ready to be obsessed,” and we truly hope you will be.
This story featured in the September 2024 edition of Boulevard Okanagan.
