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Local woman lights candle business

Working from a tiny basement on Third Street, Angela Kosbab and her daughter Carly Sizemore distribute Gold Canyon Candles. Kosbab became a distributor for Gold Canyon Candles one year ago after working as a demonstrator for the company for three years. “I do street fairs, fundraisers, home parties, anything to get my name out,” Kosbab said. / photo by Emmah Obradovich
Working from a tiny basement on Third Street, Angela Kosbab and her daughter Carly Sizemore distribute Gold Canyon Candles. Kosbab became a distributor for Gold Canyon Candles one year ago after working as a demonstrator for the company for three years. “I do street fairs, fundraisers, home parties, anything to get my name out,” Kosbab said. / photo by Emmah Obradovich

Alexandra Lozano
Staff Writer

When La Verne local Angela Kosbab lost everything and was forced to start over again, she turned to candles.

Kosbab operates Gold Canyon Candles of La Verne out of her home located on Third Street. She is one of many women who sell Gold Canyon Candles from home.

“We’re all women who are trying to make a difference. We’re all starting out,” Kosbab said.

Kosbab moved to La Verne last February because it was a location without a Gold Canyon Candles distributor.

“I have a freedom of expression, a freedom of business, freedom of entrepreneurship—as a distributor, to get out a wonderful candle,” Kosbab said.

“It ain’t easy,” said Steve Thorwald, a management counselor for the Service Corps Of Retired Executives counseling office. “Ninety-seven percent of all small businesses fail within the first year.”

However, Kosbab and Gold Canyon Candles of La Verne have beaten the odds. Kosbab has been running Gold Canyon Candles of La Verne for one year.

Kosbab first started selling Gold Canyon Candles at the Upland Street Fair and the local Harvest Festival. She sold Gold Canyon Candles at the Harvest Festival for the past three years.

Kosbab began her career in the candle business by working for a friend in Chino Hills. Needing some extra income, she decided to go into business for herself.

“I started with Rose as a demonstrator and I realized I could do this too,” Kosbab said. “I wanted desperately to be a distributor.”

Now Kosbab plans on selling Gold Canyon Candles full time and she currently has four young women working for her as demonstrators.

Kosbab hopes to expand her business and wants to eventually have 100 or more women working for her.

“It’s very challenging (and) a lot of fun promoting this line of candle,” Kosbab said. “They sell themselves.”

Kosbab considers herself a “born seller,” one who can only sell quality products.

Business owners have to be committed, plan to work 80 hours a week, have a business license, family support, financial support, luck, persistence, energy and enthusiasm, said Thorwald. People who are looking to start up their own small businesses should write a business plan before they start a business.

Kosbab drew inspiration to start her own business from the hardships she endured.

She was divorced for four years and had no children. After the divorce, Kosbab was left with nothing but a car and a job. She had no security, no home, and had to retreat back to renting.

Kosbab is now starting a new life.

She was married on Feb. 18 and is now the stepmother of three children. Kosbab was also recently laid off from her job after working as a supply clerk at HUB distributor in Ontario for 19 years. However, she does not view her layoff in a negative light. Instead, Kosbab views this as an opportunity to focus on her business.

Kosbab considers Gold Canyon Candles a wonderful investment and an opportunity to give back to others.

“I love candles and I love this product and I love to sell and I believe in this product,” Kosbab said.

Kosbab makes many home deliveries. She has created her own philosophy about serving her customers.

“Be ethical and be honest to people, because when you are, customers will be loyal to you,” Kosbab said.

“We’re all helping get the word out (about) Gold Canyon Candles,” Kosbab said.

For more information about Gold Canyon Candles, you can contact Kosbab by her preferred method, the telephone, at (909) 636-7404. She is also available through e-mail at goldcanyonusa@aol.com, or on her website at goldcanyonusa.com.

Alexandra Lozano can be reached at himelozano@juno.com.

Alexandra Lozano, News Editor
Alexandra Lozano
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Emmah Obradovich
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