< Karen & Curt Waisath
Curt and Karen Waisath started their candle-making business 10 years ago in their kitchen because Karen wanted to be a stay-at-home mom to the couple's child. Since then, the business has exploded into a multimillion-dollar enterprise that operates a 100,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Chandler and sells scented products and accessories through a network of independent demonstrators.
In the early days of the business, Karen was disappointed in the candles she ran across because they didn't have very strong fragrances. So, experimenting in her kitchen, she developed cleaner-burning candles with true-to-life scents that would permeate her home with a rich aroma.
Curt soon left his accounting job and joined the fledgling business as president and CEO.
They started selling the candles at fairs and home shows and at home parties conducted by independent demonstrators around the country. The company soon grew from selling one type of candle to a line of more than 26 fragrances. It has since added body and home products to its line and recently expanded into Canada.
Name of business: Gold Canyon
Nature of business: Manufactures candles
& other scented products
Address: 6205 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85248
Web: http://www.goldcanyoncandle.com
Founded: 1997
Employees now: 426
Five core values influence every aspect of Gold Canyon: Accuracy, courage, humility, integrity and curiosity. The company also adheres to a strict standard of ethics set by the Direct Selling Association. Curt serves on that association's board, as well as on the board of the National Selling Association. Both organizations help set ethical standards for selling and manufacturing practices.
Gold Canyon gives back to the community through its Prayer Child Foundation, which it created to focus on children who face such challenges as illness and abuse.
