Experiment turns into thriving home business

By Sarah Colton-Seamons

     Candle supplies are strewn on the tables, in boxes, all over in the kitchen, along with bottles full of scents and lotions. Most wives would get frustrated and kick their husband out, but not Doyle Wilkins's wife Shirley.
     "She is very understanding and sweet," said Doyle. "I know for a fact that some wives wouldn't put up with this mess, but she does."
     Doyle Wilkins, also known as "Grandpa Doyle," grew up in Roosevelt and graduated from Union High. He and Shirley were married in 1963 and have six children. They are all grown and married and the Wilkinses are now grandparents of 13. The Wilkinses moved to Salt Lake for ten years, then came back to Roosevelt, and in 1977 opened Doyle's Electric Supply. They later added on to their business with Shirley's Discount Fabrics, appliances, and Doyle's Custom Photography.
     He ran the store until about six years ago when it was turned over to his wife so he could teach at Thompson School, were he has been ever since. During that time he attended Utah State University Uintah Basin branch campus and graduated two years ago with a degree in special education.
     The name Grandpa Doyle came from the kids of some good friends, he revealed. When the students at Thompson heard this, the name stuck and soon everybody was calling him Grandpa Doyle.
     "I didn't mind it one bit because it made a closer bond between me and students," said Doyle. The name was also catchy for the business he has built — "Grandpa Doyle's Country Candles."
     Grandpa Doyle became involved in the candle business because he loves to burn candles. After he had bought many candles, which were expensive, he wondered why he couldn't just make his own. All it took was melting the wax, putting in the wick, and adding the coloring and scent ... or so he thought. He found out quickly there was a lot more to the process. Grandpa Doyle has perfected the art and says his candles burn evenly all the way down. He will not put something out on the market that he is not proud of.
     "If you look at labels on the candles it says that tunneling (burning down the middle) is natural. It is not natural. Candles should burn right straight down the sides very evenly," said Grandpa Doyle. It is a very complicated process which requires a combination of a certain type of wax, the right temperature, additives, and amount of scent. He spent over a year and close to $1,000 worth of supplies that weren't exactly what he was looking for before he discovered the right formula. His sister, Lynne Robins, played a big part in the finished product by helping him with research, conducting tests and aiding with all the "technical stuff," he noted.
     He initially intended to make candles for his family and himself. When he discovered he could make a candle burn perfectly and look clear without being marbled that was equal to and better than those on the market, he decided to get into the candle manufacturing business.
     Today he hand-makes each candle separately. His candle factory is in his home, where he can produce about 25, 26-ounce candles in an afternoon. With the stock he now has he can create an impressive 200 different scents.
     He was recently inspired by a cousin to begin making lotions — putting the bottles that held his candle scents to good use. The business branched out when he developed his own way to formulate lotion, which he says is a whole new ball game. He can make lotion with 50 different scents and is getting rave reviews over the long-lasting product.
     "A lot of people are not familiar with the fact that products which have aluminum in them are not good for you," he explained. Aluminum has been traced back to one of the causes of Alzheimer disease and Fibromyalgia Syndrome, a disease that causes chronic fatigue and aching joints. Most lotions sold in stores today have aluminum of some kind in them. You can count on Grandpa Wilkins's lotion to be aluminum free."
     His products can be found at craft, beauty and nutrition stores in Roosevelt. You can find out more about Grandpa Doyle's candles on his website at www.stormpc.com/candles. He's also ready to take his candles on the road and looks forward to hosting candle parties for those interested.
     Special orders are made for those candle lovers who might like a certain scent but different color to match their furnishings. The orders do not cost any more than a regular candle and if you bring back your empty jar clean, after the candle is burned out, Grandpa Doyle will give you one dollar for it. Save the planet and recycle!