Meet Kayleigh Thomas | Business Owner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kayleigh Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kayleigh, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was raised here in Tucson. My father is a developer in town and my mother works for the University. When I graduated high school I left Tucson and the US to live in Israel for five years. I served in the Israeli air force and met my husband there. It was a tremendous experience that truly impacted who I am today. Shortly after, we moved back to Tucson so that I could attend The Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona. For the longest time because of my service, I believed I wanted to connect my experience working in foreign relations for the air force, with the world of business. This quickly changed when I came back and started studying and living life in Tucson again. There was so much beauty of the desert and home that I never fully appreciated until I left. Once I graduated from the university, I decided to start my own business replicating that beauty and what has felt like home my entire life. I wanted to give others the ability to experience the peacefulness and tranquility of our desert from wherever they may be in the world. This led me to start my own candle line of fragrances found throughout the Sonoran Desert.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It has never been easy. I am constantly trying to find balance between raising our three kids Noa (4), Maya (2) Aiden (1) and learning how to run a business. Even having studied business in school didn’t fully prepare me for all the work and fine details that go into what it has become. From the making of the actual products which involves long nights and days of testing and trial runs, to managing inventory, packaging, shipping, local drop offs, book keeping, advertising….the list goes on. I am essentially wearing all the hats and trying to keep up with all sorts of tasks that need to get done for this to work while at the same time being present for my family. It is exhausting and exhilarating all at the same time. I am constantly on the go and always looking for new opportunities.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Definitely breakfast at 5 Points then a little walk through Sabino Canyon or Saguaro National Park. There are so many beautiful places to be outdoors in Tucson that its hard to choose just one walk or hike to do. Walking around fourth ave, university and downtown is also lots of fun. So many different artsy shops and Cafes to visit.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband has been an immense reason for my success. It is ‘our’ success as he has really been one with this entire process. From the support, physical work he’s done making candles, while raising three babies and trying to find the balance we needed to make this all work for us. I feel so blessed to have such an encouraging and supportive partner on this journey. Many of our stores too I’d like to give a shoutout too for their loyalty, continuous support and really helping us grow to what we’ve become today.

Website: https://www.arizonacraftandcandle.com/

Instagram: @arizonacraftandcandle

Image Credits
Pablo Cornejo instagram: @pablothatsme