At Milk Jar Candle Co., candles are only part of the story.
The Calgary company, known for its hand-poured candles and recognizable wood wicks, has spent nearly a decade building a business centered around inclusion, community and creating opportunities for others. That work earned the company the Air Canada Community Champion Award at the 2025 Calgary Small Business Awards.
For founder and CEO Holly Singer, the recognition carried deep meaning for both her and the team behind the business.
“We were so excited,” said Holly. “Being recognized for something like that keeps pushing everyone forward. We’re not just making candles, we’re creating impact in our community.”
Holly never originally planned on becoming an entrepreneur. While attending nursing school, she started making candles simply because she enjoyed it and wanted to create a cleaner burning product. But as the idea evolved, she realized the business could become something much bigger than a creative outlet.
“Milk Jar started as a way to give back to the disability community,” she said. “I was actually going to nursing school, so it wasn’t my thought that I would create a business or do entrepreneurship full time.”
The company’s mission was shaped by Holly’s earlier experiences working with children with disabilities during her kinesiology degree. From the very beginning, she built giving back directly into the business model by donating one dollar from every candle sold to organizations supporting children with disabilities.
“That was a way for me to feel connected and create opportunities and give back to a group that often isn’t considered for the same opportunities as everyone else,” Holly said. “I was trying to create that kind of world that I want to live in.”
Over the years, Milk Jar Candle Co. has grown into one of Calgary’s most recognizable maker brands while continuing to expand its impact. The company has now donated more than $500,000 to nonprofits and inclusive initiatives, with plans to surpass half a million dollars in donations in the coming months.
“If a little candle company can do it, anyone can do it,” said Holly.
Building a business people want to be part of
While the candles themselves helped build the brand, Holly says the heart of Milk Jar Candle Co. is the people behind it.
“Working with our team is what I enjoy the most,” she said. “Our team members are so excited to show up every day and want to retire at Milk Jar.”
The company has spent years building an inclusive workplace where people with and without disabilities work together. Holly says creating that kind of environment has become one of the most rewarding parts of growing the business.
“Hearing stories from some of our customers who are parents of children with disabilities where they’ve said we inspire them that their children will maybe have a job one day, that’s what it’s all about,” she said.
Winning the Air Canada Community Champion Award gave the team an opportunity to recognize the impact they’ve created together.
“It almost made me want to cry,” Holly said. “I think a few people did cry.”
She explained that because much of the company’s day-to-day focus is centred around manufacturing and operations, it can sometimes be difficult to fully see the effect the business is having on the community.
“It was motivating,” she said. “Sometimes we don’t see the impact of what we do because we’re manufacturing, and that was a tangible impact where we saw recognition.”
The award is now proudly displayed in the company’s retail space, serving as a reminder of how far the business has come.
Progress, not perfection
As Milk Jar Candle Co. continues to grow internationally and explore new opportunities, Holly hopes the company can continue leading conversations around inclusivity, workplace culture and purpose-driven business.
She also hopes to inspire other entrepreneurs who may be hesitant to take the leap into starting something of their own.
“Focus on progress, not perfection,” she said. “Baby steps of purpose actually lead to perfection, but if you focus on perfection, you will never get anything off the ground.”
Holly also encourages entrepreneurs to trust themselves, even when things feel uncertain.
“It’s okay if you’re scared to take risks,” she said. “If you’re scared, it probably means you should do it.”
As applications open for the 2026 Calgary Small Business Awards, Singer says entrepreneurs should not hesitate to apply, even if they feel unsure about whether they belong in the conversation.
“Go for it,” she said. “What do you have to lose?”
To learn more about Milk Jar Candle Co., visit: milkjar.ca.
The 2026 Small Business Award applications are now open. Apply today: calgarychamber.com/small-business-week/calgary-small-business-awards/.
