February 1, 2024

How did MOCO CANDLES get started?

In 2018, MOCO started in my tiny 475 SF apartment in Indianapolis, Indiana. As a fresh design school graduate with a burning passion for hands-on artistry, I embarked on a journey to create functional goods—candles.

“We’re on a mission to create goods that are both timeless yet avant-garde, much like the art that fuels our inspiration. Join us as we embark on a sensorial journey that’s both familiar and wonderfully unexpected.”

Morgan Conner, Founder of MOCO Fragrances

Unleashing limitless creativity and embracing our unconventional approach, we redefine the art of scent, seamlessly blending design, fragrance, and sustainability. We’re all about the magic of fragrance, embarking on a sensorial journey that’s both familiar and wonderfully unexpected.

In 2021, after a period of discovery and growth, we released the Delights Collection, presenting a refreshed aesthetic that embodies the essence of joyful resurgence after moments of darkness. Flash forward to now, all of our production happens in our 745 SF studio in Indianapolis!

Can you describe the candles featured in this month’s Vellabox?

Discotheque transports you to the glamorous days of disco. This floral and woodsy candle entwines the rich, romantic scent of roses with poppies for a touch of playfulness. Tabac brings a sense of smoky depth to the fragrance, evoking a sense of mystery and intrigue. With notes of grass, bergamot, cassis, tobacco leaves, rose, musk, cedar, leather, you’ll be dreaming of disco balls and dance floors.

Croissant is like stepping in a Parisian bakery. The warm and buttery aroma of freshly baked croissants fills the air, blended with rich notes of vanilla and toasted almonds. Close your eyes and savor the delicious fragrance that evokes memories of lazy Sunday mornings and lazy strolls along the Seine.

Indulge in the tranquility of a rainy day with the Cloud Nine candle. The fresh, cooling aroma of cucumber mingles with the clean scent of rain clouds, transporting you to a state of pure relaxation. Select this candle if you’re a fan of free with notes of lime, aloe, cucumber, honeydew and sandalwood.

These featured scents are available in the Vellabox candle shop!

What is your favorite candle that you’ve created?

My favorite candle fragrance is Heat Wave with notes of orange, mandarin, sriracha, chili pepper, musk and sandalwood. My favorite non-candle product is our Dry Oil (I use it every night before bed!) What sets this decadent dry oil apart is its ability to absorb quickly, leaving your skin feeling silky and smooth without any greasy residue.
It is lightly scented in Mystic Grove, a calming fragrance that combines the camphorous essence of lavandin, the earthy allure of clary sage, and the invigorating zest of juicy lemon.

We just launched our first eau de parfum in January and plan on expanding the personal fragrance line. Our new Sea Glass perfume is already one of my favorites. It smells so fresh and is long lasting!

What values or pillars does your business take pride in?

It all starts with our simple cruelty-free & vegan ingredients:
100% domestic-grown soy wax
pthalate-free fragrances
lead-free cotton wicks

In addition to having a quality product, you really have to be stellar at marketing to set your products apart in the candle industry! With fun designs and eco-friendly packaging, we always strive to be as close to zero waste as possible.

Though we are a very small business, we love doing all that we can to support causes and organizations meaningful to us. In addition to having a zero-waste studio, we periodically support charities with values we align with. Some of those have been the ACLU, The Trevor Project, Native American Rights Fund, and the Last Prisoner Project among others.

How do you practice self care and self love?

For me, self-love and self-care are all about cherishing the moments with the people I hold dear. Whether it’s going on exciting trips with friends or just kicking back with some drinks on the weekend together, I’ve found that building these connections and creating memories really boosts my mental well-being.

Happy Galentine’s / Valentine’s Day and can’t wait to see how you love this month’s box!