06/22/2026
✨ Meet Nolan Willhite, founder of Flora Candle Company in Downtown Lafayette, Indiana.
Born during the pandemic, Flora Candle Company creates handcrafted candles and home fragrance products inspired by local farmers markets, Midwestern seasons, and community traditions. What started as a way to process grief quickly became something much bigger. After the loss of his great-great-aunt Florann, Nolan turned to candle making as a creative outlet. Through that personal journey, he discovered a genuine passion for building an LGBTQ+-owned brand that could serve as a vehicle for visibility, safety, and community.
“I realized I wasn’t just creating candles. I was creating a space.”
That passion turned into seasonal collections, beloved local traditions, and a flourishing business that extends far beyond the jar. Along the way, Nolan has designed a brand identity that feels both beautifully nostalgic and deeply inclusive—cultivating an environment where everyone feels seen, valued, and connected.
Favorite CandleScience supplies?
Tomato Leaf fragrance oil, which anchors their current best-selling Tomato Vine candle, and the Natural Terracotta pots, the perfect staple for their popular Patio Citronella collection. 🍅 🪴
A launch close to their heart:
Flora Candle Company is currently debuting a special collaboration candle benefiting Pride Lafayette. It’s a beautiful celebration of LGBTQ+ visibility and a proud nod to the immense value that diverse small businesses bring to their communities.🌈 ✨
Why we admire Flora Candle Company:
Nolan has built a brand that feels exceptionally welcoming and resilient. Flora Candle Company is a beautiful testament that personal storytelling and authentic advocacy can bloom into something truly impactful, and a wonderful reminder that when we invest in small businesses, we are investing in real people and stronger communities.
Follow & support Flora Candle Company 💛
