Five Minutes With Desert Embers Founder Angelina Claybrook: A Candle Brand Redefining Home Fragrance

You’re in for a real treat with this Desert Embers founder interview! With the holidays approaching, I found myself in research mode, looking for cleaner candle options I could feel good about lighting at home. Something that still smelled like the holidays but wasn’t the toxic levels of Yankee Candle. That’s when I stumbled upon Desert Embers—a female-founded brand created by two sisters, who are also moms and pet owners. I reached out on a whim to see if they’d be open to an interview, and thankfully, they said yes. Angelina Claybrook, one of the founders, gave us an inside look at the brand and a peek into her everyday life.

From hand-poured candles made with soy and olive oil to elevated room sprays and diffusers, Desert Embers is all about turning everyday moments into something serene. Their phthalate-free candles are crafted with fragrance oils specifically formulated to be free of carcinogens and reproductive toxins—common chemicals that can often be hidden under the single word “fragrance” in conventional products (according to EWG’s analysis of fragrance ingredients).

In this Desert Embers founder interview, Angelina shares the inspiration behind their home fragrance line, her approach to wellness, and what it really looks like to build a business of her own.

The Inspiration Behind Desert Embers

Q: Let’s start at the beginning — what inspired you to launch Desert Embers in the first place?

A: Desert Embers began during a really tender season of my life. I had just had my oldest daughter, and my husband and I were moving back home while transitioning out of the military. I didn’t know what was next for me — I just knew I wanted to build something of my own someday.

Candles ended up finding me. Jessica and I have always shared a love for them, so I bought us a simple candle-making kit… and from that tiny spark, Desert Embers just kept growing.

What Makes the Desert Embers Approach Different

Q: What makes your approach different from what’s already out there?

A: What makes our approach different is that everything we create is inspired by our own home memories — scents we actually live with — and made with ingredients we trust around our kids and pets. We don’t chase trends.

We focus on simplicity, quality, and fragrances that uplift your space without the worry of harsh toxins. Our candles are thoughtfully made and beautifully minimal to give you a cleaner, higher-quality experience at a price that still feels accessible.

Desert Embers non-toxic candle and home fragrance spray displayed together in a minimal product shot.

Founders’ Go-To Product

Q: Do you have a go-to product in your line that you personally use every day?

A: We both love candles so much, but honestly, it’s not always easy to sit down and enjoy them — especially when we’re making them all day. That’s why my go-to for a quick refresh is our room sprays. I keep them in almost every room for an instant reset and quick scent burst when we’re having guests!

And our car diffusers? We use them daily. It’s the easiest way to bring our favorite scents with us wherever we go.

What Wellness Looks Like in This Season

Q: What does wellness look like for you right now?

A: For us, wellness in this season looks like slowing down where we can and finding small moments that actually feel doable. It’s choosing rest without guilt, taking walks with my kids, lighting a candle at the end of a long day, and letting our home smell like something that brings us peace.

It’s making cleaner choices, keeping our routines simple, and giving ourselves grace when life gets busy. Wellness right now isn’t about being perfect — it’s about creating a home and rhythm that feels comforting, sustainable, and real.

Finding Balance During Busy Seasons

Q: How do you find balance when life gets busy? Any small rituals that help keep you grounded?

A: When life gets crazy, balance for me looks like giving myself grace and creating realistic goals monthly , then breaking them down week by week so they actually feel manageable. It looks like enjoying the quiet, slow moments with my kids and sometimes just embracing the mess because that’s real life.

One small ritual that keeps me grounded is cleaning the kitchen after dinner, lighting a candle, and settling into our wind-down bedtime routine with my toddlers and husband. Those simple moments help me reset more than anything.

Desert Embers founders sitting together with tea and a book in a cozy lifestyle setting.

Advice for Women Starting a Business

Q: What advice do you have for women who want to start their own business?

A: My advice is to choose something you’re truly passionate about. Passion is what keeps you going when things get hard, and they will get hard. Give yourself grace, because you’ll never know everything. Be prepared to wear a lot of hats (you’ll be better at some than others), and make time to learn and grow each year.

And I won’t lie… it’s challenging but so rewarding. If you’re only in it for the money, burnout comes fast. Stay true to yourself, trust your gut, and don’t chase the trends. Build something that feels like you — that’s what lasts.

Favorite Meals & Rituals

Q: Do you have a favorite meal, snack, or drink that gets you through a hectic day?

A: I look forward to my morning coffee every single day — sometimes two, especially on market days. It’s my little moment of calm before the chaos.

Lessons From Building a Business

Q: What’s something about building your business that has surprised you the most?

A: The thing that surprised me most is how much more outgoing and social we’ve both become. We never expected to make so many genuine connections, but it’s become one of the best parts of this whole journey.

Collection of non-toxic, hand-poured candles arranged in a clean, minimal layout.

How the Founder Recharges

Q: When you’re not working, how do you like to recharge?

A: When I’m not working, I love spending time with my family and putting the phone down for a bit. Camping is my absolute favorite way to reset and unwind.

What’s Next for Desert Embers

Q: Finally, what’s next for you and Desert Embers? What can we look forward to?

A: What’s next for us? More passion, more culture, and more of who we are in everything we do. We’re working on some big things to elevate our products and continue bringing our mission to life: clean, thoughtful home fragrance that’s truly for everyone.

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