What Big Dipper Wax Works does

Big Dipper Wax Works is a privately held, founder-owned artisan manufacturer of 100% pure beeswax candles and aromatherapy products, founded in 1993 by Brent Roose in Seattle, Washington. The company handcrafts its candles from sustainably sourced North American beeswax using a natural filtration process that preserves the wax's honey-like aroma and golden color without synthetic additives or bleaching. Its product portfolio spans core beeswax candles (tapers, pillars, votives, tea lights, sculpted candles, tins, glassware), aromatherapy candles scented with proprietary essential oil blends (Serenity, Meditation, Awaken, Balance, Harmony, Love, Radiance, Rapture, Rejuvenation), single-note and blended essential oils, aromatherapy mists, bodycare items (lip balms, salves, muscle balm), DIY beeswax supplies, candle accessories, and curated gift sets. The company also offers subscription products through Monthly Candle Clubs and a Subscribe & Save program with up to 15% discounts.

The business operates across four primary go-to-market channels: a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront at bigdipperwaxworks.com (built on BigCommerce), an approved wholesale program for boutique and specialty retailers, Shopify Collective dropshipping partnerships with third-party merchants, and direct Amazon sales where it is the exclusive authorized seller. Production is based in a manufacturing and shipping facility in Atlanta, Georgia (3001 McCall Dr.), supported by a Seattle business office (55 Atlantic St., Suite 407) and a Seattle returns warehouse (700 South Orchard St.). Pricing is unit-based across individual SKUs ranging from $3.75 (lip balm) to $96 (premium gift sets), with flat $8 shipping and free shipping on orders over $125 within the contiguous US; international shipping is limited to the US and Canada.

The company employs 1-10 people and is led by founder Brent Roose, supported by a Quality & Design Manager in Atlanta. It is operationally self-funded with no disclosed external investment, acquisitions, or leadership changes. Its stated social commitment is a 5% net-profit donation to bee conservation organizations. Revenue is not publicly disclosed.

Name

Big Dipper Wax Works

Legal name

Big Dipper Wax Works

Website

https://bigdipperwaxworks.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Big Dipper Wax Works, founded in 1993 by Brent Roose in Seattle, handcrafts 100% pure beeswax candles and aromatherapy products, selling direct-to-consumer online, through wholesale, Amazon, and Shopify Collective dropshipping to wellness-focused consumers and boutique retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct-to-Consumer E-commerce: Online sales through bigdipperwaxworks.com featuring product categories including beeswax candles (tapers, pillars, votives, tins, glassware), aromatherapy products, body care, and gift sets. Customers can purchase individual items or curated gift sets with standard per-transaction pricing.
2. Wholesale Distribution: Approved wholesale accounts can purchase products at wholesale pricing for resale through brick-and-mortar stores or their own branded e-commerce websites. Access requires account approval through wholesale.bigdipperwaxworks.com.
3. Subscribe & Save Subscription: Customers can subscribe to recurring deliveries with subscription options including Bi-Weekly, Monthly, or Quarterly cadences, offering savings up to 15% on regular purchases.
4. Shopify Collective Dropshipping: Partnership with Shopify Collective allowing approved Shopify retailers to sell Big Dipper products without upfront inventory costs. Big Dipper handles fulfillment, shipping direct to customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Big Dipper Wax Works handcrafts 100% pure beeswax candles in various formats (tapers, pillars, votives, tins, glassware, sculpted) using sustainably sourced beeswax, natural cotton wicks, and pure essential oil blends for aromatherapy. The company also sells essential oils, aromatherapy mists, body care products, DIY beeswax supplies, candle accessories, gift sets, and monthly subscription candle clubs.

Product overview

Big Dipper Wax Works is a handcrafted beeswax candle company that has been handcrafting natural light since 1993. The company offers a diverse portfolio centered around 100% pure beeswax candles with various delivery formats (tapers, pillars, votives, tea lights, sculpted, glassware, tins) and product lines including aromatherapy candles scented with pure essential oils, bodycare products (lip balm, body salve, muscle balm), essential oils, aromatherapy mists, DIY beeswax supplies, candle accessories, gift sets, and monthly subscription clubs. The company operates both direct-to-consumer retail and wholesale channels, with products available through Shopify Collective dropshipping partnerships. All products emphasize natural ingredients, sustainable sourcing from ethical beekeeping farms, and clean-burning formulations free from synthetic fragrances and paraffin.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Beeswax Candles Handcrafted 100% pure beeswax candles available in styles including tapers, pillars, votives, tea lights, sculpted candles, and refills. Made from sustainably sourced beeswax with cotton wicks and no synthetic fragrances. Targeted at individual consumers and wholesale buyers seeking clean-burning natural candles.
• Aromatherapy Candles Beeswax candles scented with 100% pure essential oils for body, mind, and soul wellness. Available in Sanctuary Glass, Apothecary Glass, Beehive Glass, Pillars, Votives, and Tins with multiple scent blends. Designed for health-conscious consumers using aromatherapy at home.
• Essential Oils Pure essential oil blends and single-note essential oils extracted through steam distillation and cold-press methods to preserve therapeutic properties. Sold for aromatherapy use to individual consumers.
• Aromatherapy Mists Room and linen sprays infused with pure essential oil blends including Serenity (Lavender & Frankincense) and Meditation (Cedarwood & Balsam). Available in 4 oz aluminum bottles. For consumers seeking non-candle aromatherapy options.
• Bodycare Products Natural body care items including beeswax lip balm in flavors (Cardamom Coffee, Honey Cocoa Butter, Peppermint Grapefruit, Vanilla Rose), hand and body salve, and muscle massage balm. For individual consumers seeking natural personal care.
• Gift Sets Curated gift collections including Valentine's Day sets, birthday candles, holiday collections, and aromatherapy pillar gift sets combining multiple products for gifting occasions. For individual consumers purchasing gifts.
• Monthly Candle Clubs Recurring subscription candle clubs delivering curated beeswax candles to subscribers on a regular cadence. For individual consumers seeking ongoing candle curation.
• Wholesale Candles Bulk and wholesale beeswax candles including tapers, pillars, votives, tins, glassware, sculpted candles, outdoor/citronella candles, and bodycare products. Available to approved wholesale accounts for resale through brick-and-mortar stores or branded e-commerce sites.
• Seasonal Collections Holiday and seasonal candles including Winter Garden collection (Clove Chamomile, Lavender Mint, Orange Spruce), Holiday Aromatherapy Pillars (Mint, Pine, Spice), and special occasion candles for Valentine's Day, Easter, Mother's Day, Halloween, Christmas, and Hanukkah. For individual consumers seeking occasion-specific candles.
• Citronella Outdoor Candles Outdoor beeswax candles formulated with pure essential oils of citronella, lavender, and cedarwood for naturally bug-free summer evenings. Available in Concrete Cup and Tin formats. For consumers seeking natural outdoor pest-deterrent candles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Beeswax candles burn up to 90 hours for Sanctuary Glass (12.5 oz)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Shopify CollectivecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBig Dipper Wax Works partners with Shopify Collective to enable Shopify retailers to dropship their products. Retailers can import Big Dipper's catalog to their stores without upfront inventory costs. Big Dipper handles picking, packing, and shipping directly to the retailer's customers. The program automates shipping, payments, and returns for participating Shopify merchants.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Paddywax: Nashville-based artisan candle brand focused on natural, small-batch candles with distinctive packaging. Highly comparable to Big Dipper in product category, target consumer (values-driven home fragrance buyer), and wholesale/DTC distribution strategy.
• Boy Smells: Cult-favorite gender-inclusive candle and fragrance brand based in Los Angeles. Comparable to Big Dipper as a premium, design-forward home fragrance brand selling through DTC, wholesale, and selective retail.
• Brooklyn Candle Studio: Small-batch, eco-friendly candle brand emphasizing clean ingredients and minimalist design. Closely mirrors Big Dipper's positioning around natural wax, essential oil fragrances, and DTC + wholesale channels.
• Homesick: DTC candle brand with location- and memory-themed scents sold direct and through major retailers. Comparable to Big Dipper in product format, gifting orientation, and multi-channel D2C/wholesale model.
• Otherland: Premium DTC candle and home fragrance brand with a strong design and gifting aesthetic. Comparable to Big Dipper in premium pricing, gift-set offerings, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce focus.
• Keap Candles: Sustainable, refill-focused candle brand using clean waxes (soy, coconut). Similar to Big Dipper in mission-driven positioning, eco-friendly ingredient story, and subscription/refill business model.
• Milkhouse Candles: Farm-made natural wax candles with a strong rural/values-driven brand identity. Comparable to Big Dipper in handcrafted natural wax, small-batch ethos, and DTC + farm-based production story.
• Slow North: Natural plant-based candle and essential oil brand focused on non-toxic ingredients and aromatherapy. Directly comparable to Big Dipper in clean-beauty positioning, essential oil integration, and small-batch production.

Broad incumbents

• NEST Fragrances: Established premium home fragrance brand offering candles, diffusers, and body care. Broader portfolio than Big Dipper but overlaps in the luxury candle and aromatherapy category across DTC and department-store wholesale.
• Yankee Candle: Mass-market home fragrance incumbent with broad candle, diffuser, and car fragrance portfolio. Competes with Big Dipper in the broader candle category, though at a much lower price point and with paraffin-based formulations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/bigdipperwax
• Facebookfacebook.com/bigdipperwaxworks
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/big-dipper-wax-works

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Big Dipper Wax Works