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

Hi Tina, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Fumee Claire was founded during Covid when the world slowed down and we all sat back for a minute to think of what and how we want to return to our new Normal. During this time I was diagnosed with a medical condition that forced me to look at how I live my life, what I consume and how to live a clean lifestyle. I have always loved candles and started making them as a hobby a few years before, in the process of learning how to empower my body by being more natural in what I put on my body, consume and smell, I learned that fragrance holds so many bad elements and chemicals. I soon learned my product junkie self and candle loving home may be toxic to my body. I wanted to enjoy all these things as I did before, this led me to my business. I partnered with one of the only US based clean manufacturers of fragrance and decided to play with coconut plant based wax and my first products launched in May of 2021. This March we expanded our product line up to take the beautiful blended clean fragrances I have created and added them to natural body products that are paraben, gluten, cruelty free and also free of carcinogens, phthalates and 40 chemicals that can cause cancer. This body products include salt and sugar scrubs, body lotions and body butters as well as bath salts and room sprays. Fumee Claire products are in elegant glass ware and boxed for giving. They are products I am proud to produce and I know that I am giving consumers something safe for their homes, children and their bodies. On top of all this I made an oath 20 years ago to give back to those in need and the purchases of each of our products will give dollars back to Charity every year. I have put my heart and soul into this product lineup and created items that really are special.

What should our readers know about your business?
When launching our products we did a lot of customer testing, and research to come up with a product that would wow the marketplace. I was asked early on in development of my product what is going to set you apart from the 1000’s of candles in the marketplace. Clean crafted fragrances was my first answer as I was fooled as consumer myself. I was buying things that said premium fragrances thinking these were good for you, when in reality it was just the first cut of the fragrance and when I researched these product data/ safety sheets I found things that were extremely bad for you and your family. I will not put a product in my line up that I have not researched their data sheets to make sure the ingredients are safe for you. I never looked at cost as the main objective but I did look at good quality ingredients. I also decided to make candles with a coconut plant based wax which is one of the cleanest wax because it is not exposed to chemicals or fertilization chemicals. I took clean manufactured scents and created custom blended scents that take you on adventure or experience. All of our scents are a formula created by myself of 3 to 6 scents that create some dreamy combinations. I sourced our products in the USA, as an American this is very important to me. I paid homage to my French heritage by naming my company, Fumee Claire, which means Clear smoke and the details of my packaging incorporate a elegant French baroque style glass design. I continue to receive praise about our packing and design people love to give our products as hostess and birthday gifts.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Hinsdale, a beautiful suburb of Chicago. We are a train ride to the city where you have cultural adventures in art, science and history all at your finger tips. there are so many museums you can wander and enjoy my favorites are the Art Institute, Museum of Science and Industry, and Field Museum. Going to a baseball game April to September is always fun as well, I am a White Sox fan but enjoy a fun day trip to Wrigley Field for all the festivities. We have amazing shopping and a beautiful lake front to walk, bike or run. In the burbs we have continue to have great restaurants and Chicago truly is a culinary delight. I do love shopping in Hinsdale at Red E Mas, Lepa Boutique, Marcus, and Marabella homes. We have fun Thursday nights in town in the summer with live Music call Uniquely Thursday. My favorite place in the summer though is our home, we have an amazing backyard that we love to share with our friends and family every weekend.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family are my biggest fans, when I told them I was going to launch Fumee Claire they stood behind me and helped me launch my home business. I explained that at times it may take me away from our two practices, Weller Dental, that I do the patient coordination and public relations for. I explained it may take me away from Hockey games, and Mom making dinner. I explained that everyone in the family needed to help out more and fill in where I might not be able to. Since October of 2020 my amazing family stepped it up and with their help Fumee Claire has launched, expanded and is doing great in it’s second year of business. Everyone has helped me create a work space, helped with shipping and loading/unloading of materials, and marketing of the brand.

In our first year and half, we have been featured in Hinsdale Living and Hinsdale Magazine with writeups. Featured on WGN Daytime Chicago for the holiday season and mentioned In Candid Candace philanthropic blog. We were able to give over $15,000 in monetary and in kind donations to Chicagoland Charities to date.

Website: fumeeclaire.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fumeeclaire/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-weller-8831b017/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ClaireFumee

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fumeeclaire/

Image Credits
Ian Mcleod

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