Submitted by Cari Hahn
Editor’s note: Cari Hahn is the owner and creator of Carmel-based Karma Candles. She is a breast cancer survivor is raising funds for IWIN, which supports women in Indiana who have breast cancer. Hahn makes her products in her home in Carmel, and she can be found at the Noblesville Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to noon each Saturday through October. Find out more about her business and her journey toward light at KarmaCandlesAndKinds.com.
Hahn
I’m Cari Hahn, owner and creator of Karma Candles. Through Karma, I’ve blended my background in art therapy with my own need to emerge from darkness to create light in my life and the lives of others.
For me, darkness came on April 15, 2016, in the form of a breast cancer diagnosis, and while this was indeed a dark time for me and my family, my training provided me with the tools of creative expression that can foster healing and support mental well-being. Throughout my treatment journey, as my body worked to repair and regenerate, my mission remained steadfast: I needed to create good in the world.
After finishing treatment in late 2016, I looked at my life and started to assess what needed to change. This time of deep searching revealed many things, including all of the toxic products in my home that were designed to make me feel better, but that I knew were making me and many other people feel worse. I needed a creative outlet, and I wanted to return to my healing roots.
But more importantly, I wanted to share the healing I was experiencing with anyone who needed it. I believe what we put out into this world is undoubtedly what we receive in return. That was the start of Karma Candles & Kinds.
Karma Candles are all natural, handmade, and environmentally-safe from start to finish. Each batch is hand-poured and hand-wicked with natural cotton and lead- and zinc-free wicks, in Carmel. Every candle I make is infused with my heartfelt best wishes that the light I discovered will carry through to anyone who receives one of our products. In addition to candles, we offer clean home fragrance products, jewelry and cozy apparel. We are thoughtful gifting for all of life’s occasions. I designed the jewelry to inspire, encourage and empower. It is meant to be loved and worn.
Cancer will forever be a part of my story. Even now, it’s the pulse of the charitable work I do. Making candles and owning my own business has given me a sense of purpose as I maneuver through cancer survivorship. I know there’s a very real likelihood that my cancer could return. Instead of living in fear, doubt or hesitation, I choose to live in light and to create and share that light with others.
Wishing you life, love, light and good karma – always!