Meet Elizabeth Kautz of Fleur de Liz in Mansfield

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elizabeth Kautz.

Elizabeth, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
As a former elementary school teacher, I have always had a creative knack and entrepreneurial spirit. I started making candles over 17 years ago and now offer a variety of pillar, votive, tea light, wax tart, container candles, seasonal decor, as well as private labeling.

About four years after I poured my first candle I started selling candles to a local boutique. I was asked to create a custom candle for the store…. Cashmere Creme was born! I have had a local following ever since!

Candle-making is an art and I take it seriously. I create my custom recipes in my kitchen by mixing the finest oils from different scent companies. Mostly oils from flowers, plants, trees, and grasses. I’m always trying something new and trying to stay on top of industry knowledge, “What’s Trending”, fresh marketing ideas and environmental efficiencies. By using the finest oils, lead free wicks, and clean burning soy blended wax, my hand poured candles can compete with the most expensive on the market. It’s hard to compete though with big retailers. Typically, their jar costs more than the ingredients.

I’m so opposite of that. I create and pour the “Cadillac” of candles! Finest wax, most expensive oils, most amount of scent per ratio for the best scent throw. It’s everything I’ve learned from the wicking process to the cooling process. I keep perfecting my recipes to produce the best candle. I believe that is why I have created such an amazing local following.

Has it been a smooth road?
It’s definitely been a challenge to create the perfect candle but it has also been fun and exciting! There are many nuances in candle-making including the container, wax, dyes, oils, wicking process, cooling process, temperature, and humidity. Also, safety is a huge deal to me! Getting your customers to take seriously the fact they should limit a burn to 4 hours and always trim the wick before lighting again. This is not only a real safety issue, but also will allow you to maximize the life and quality of the candle experience.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Fleur de Liz – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I am known as Fleur de Liz – The Candle Lady! I design, create, sell, market and manufacture all of my hand poured candles. I am so proud that I have created a signature candle that people come back again and again to buy. It is such a great feeling starting my own candle company from the very beginning and watching it grow. It’s so wonderful to hear compliments about my candles and how people love them. The phone calls, text messages and emails from new customers and customers that have been with me from the very beginning and wouldn’t burn any other candle in their home. I love seeing the pleasure that my candles bring to people. When people come to me for candles they are always happy! My candles make them feel good and that is the essence of my business. It’s so awesome!

One of my specialties is providing a special service to my customers. Once they have burned through their decorative candle, they can return the clean container and I will refill it for $2 per ounce. OR if they have a special container I will fill it with their favorite scent and personalize it to their liking. After all., every person is unique and so is their home – so their candles should be too!

I have also created CAN-dles for a local brewery, Rahr&Sons in Ft. Worth, Texas. I use their different beer cans (before they have beer in them) and have created some special CAN-dles that are great for patios and pool side bars. “Don’t Bug Me” uses special essential oils which repels insects; This isn’t your mothers Citronella candle! 🙂

I think what sets me apart from others is the quality, uniqueness and personal touch of my candles. I love that people, around the world, bring my candles into their homes and have an immediate connection. I want my customers to know me. They can contact me with questions, ideas, or special requests. I’m even working on a video so they can see the process of candle making. Bottom line? People are drawn to fragrance, as it is comforting and brings pleasure and people are drawn to me and my candles!

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I absolutely love DFW! I grew up in Kansas City, Mo. Married my husband and transferred colleges and ended up graduating from University of Maryland. We moved to 7 cities in 9 years, all over the country with his job. When we moved to Texas I immediately fell in love! The people are sooo friendly! That is what I love about the entire area.

My only dislike is the Texas heat sometimes!

Contact Info:

• Address: 2 Pamela Court
• Website: www.fleurdelizcandles.com
• Phone: 817-269-0138
• Email: eakautz@sbcglobal.net
• Facebook: Elizabeth Kautz, Fleur de Liz, Inc

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.