Celene Vargas
Staff Writer
Fiamma Naturals began as a candle company in the kitchen of a Claremont home, and while it has been nearly eight years, the business continues its endeavor to remain eco-friendly with its soy candles and all-natural spa products.
Amy Massie, owner of Fiamma Naturals, initially began pouring soy candles, and later launched a line of spa products made with essential oils.
“I have children, and I want them to understand that even the smallest effort can make (a) great impact on our environment,” Massie said.
“It is important to me that I lead by example and teach them to be conscious of their impact.”
The company opened in 2007 and began as a home-operated line of candles for a friend’s eco-friendly homeware business.
“I had always dreamed about owning my own (interior design) company, but after graduation, working for a few years and then having my boys, there was too much time away from the industry to be current,” Massie said.
After a while, she started feeling restless and agreed to help her friend, Michelle Vinci, with her former business, Earth Friendly Home.
“(Vinci) planted the seed and everything fell into place,” Massie said.
Massie took classes to learn how to make soy products, and with the help of her friend Jennifer Randall, Fiamma Naturals began.
A few years later, Randall decided to return to school for a master’s degree in specialized reading and Vinci sold her company.
Massie decided to continue Fiamma Naturals on her own.
She still occasionally seeks help from Randall, Massie said.
All of Fiamma Naturals’ candles are made of 100 percent natural soy wax, which allows the candles to last longer because they burn slower than regular wax.
To show how dedicated Fiamma Naturals is to being eco-friendly, Massie started a recycling program for the company’s used glass candle jars.
Twice a month, Massie sets up a booth at the Claremont farmer’s market and encourages customers to recycle their empty Fiamma Naturals candle jars. For every 10 jars they return, her customers receive a free small candle as a gift.
In addition to being eco-friendly, Fiamma Naturals tries to be an all-American brand.
Their soy wax is grown in the United States and is completely renewable, sustainable, carbon-neutral and GMO free, Massie said.
The glass jars used to hold the candles are also American made, as well as most of the ingredients Fiamma Naturals uses.
Fiamma Naturals is sold online primarily, but is available at a few businesses in Southern California, including OVA Arts and Hush Spa.
“(OVA Arts has) been carrying their candles for about a year and they’re very popular, (especially) in the winter during Christmas time,” said Susan Sullivan, co-owner of OVA Arts, a contemporary art and crafts gallery in Ojai, California.
Hush Spa, a skin care salon in Claremont, has been selling Fiamma Naturals products for four years.
“Everyone seems to like them,” said Natalie Rogers, front desk manager for Hush.
“They’re very popular. People really like the Tolasana candle.”
Fiamma Naturals also offers products like body butters, lip balms, and room and body sprays.
“I really like all of (Massie’s) products: the lip balms, the hand and body lotions,” Rogers said.
Massie has since moved her business from her kitchen to a warehouse space in Claremont.
“(Fiamma Naturals) is actually growing,” Massie said. “It’s growing slowly, but it’s what I want because it’s still just me.”
For more information about Fiamma Naturals visit fiammanaturals.com.
Celene Vargas can be reached at celene.vargas@laverne.edu.
