When Companion Candles founder and CEO Loren Lewin learned that many conventional candles can release toxins that linger in indoor air and settle on household surfaces, she set out to create a cleaner‑burning alternative designed with animal companions in mind. Inspired by her rescue dog, Mylo, Loren built a cruelty‑free candle brand centered on cleaner ingredients, responsible sourcing, and home fragrance that’s mindful of every individual sharing the space. In this interview, she explains how compassion guides her business decisions and why everyday household choices can help raise standards across the home goods industry.

What inspired you to start Companion Candles, and how does compassion guide your work?

Companion Candles started with my rescue dog, Mylo. When I learned how many traditional candles contain toxins that can linger in the air and settle on surfaces where pets sleep and play, I couldn’t unsee it. Animals can’t advocate for themselves, so I felt a responsibility to do better for him and for others too.

Compassion guides every decision we make, from the ingredients we use to the partners we work with and the causes we support. We think about how our products affect not just the person lighting the candle, but every living being sharing that space.

How do you define what sets Companion Candles apart from other candle brands?

We design with the most vulnerable in mind. Companion Candles are clean-burning, animal-safe, and free from hundreds of toxins commonly found in home fragrance — without sacrificing beauty or performance.

Beyond the product, we’re intentional about storytelling and impact. Each candle represents a moment of comfort, safety, and care — and every purchase supports animal welfare. It’s about creating rituals that feel good and do good.

How does Companion Candles contribute to animal welfare or community impact beyond the product itself?

Giving back is built into our business model. We donate a portion of the proceeds from every candle to animal welfare organizations, including shelters, rescues, and emergency veterinary funds.

We also collaborate with animal advocates, veterinarians, and rescue partners to raise awareness around pet safety in the home — not just fragrance, but the broader environment pets live in every day.

What responses or stories from your customers have reminded you why this work matters?

I hear from customers all the time who say Companion Candles is the first candle they’ve felt safe lighting after adopting a pet or fostering an animal with health sensitivities.

One message that stayed with me came from a woman who lost her senior dog and lit one of our candles during their final days together — she said it brought comfort without fear. Those moments remind me that this isn’t just about candles; it’s about trust, love, and peace of mind.

What do you wish more people understood about the impact of cruelty-free products in everyday life?

Small choices add up. What we bring into our homes affects animals even when we don’t realize it — from the air they breathe to the surfaces they touch. Choosing cruelty-free, non-toxic products isn’t about perfection; it’s about intention.

When consumers support brands that prioritize compassion, they help shift entire industries toward safer, more humane standards.

What advice would you give someone interested in launching a mission-driven brand today?

Let your mission be real, not performative. Build it into your operations, your sourcing, and your decision-making — not just your marketing. Consumers can tell the difference.

Also, don’t underestimate how powerful authenticity is. The story behind why you started is often the strongest thing you have — lead with it.

What’s next for Companion Candles — any new products or innovations you’re excited about?

We’re continuing to expand our scent collections and limited-edition collaborations while staying grounded in our core mission of pet safety and clean ingredients.

We’re also exploring new ways to bring comfort into the home beyond candles — always with animals at the center of the conversation. Our goal is to keep raising the bar for what “safe” and “ethical” should look like in home fragrance.