Hello, hello, welcome to Fat Mascara. Hi, everyone. It's Jen, Jen and just Jen. Well, just kidding,

because Jess is actually doing this interview with me. We recorded this before she was taking

the month off because we are so excited about this interview. As you know, if you've been

a long time listener or probably just listened to one or two episodes, we're both obsessed

with scented candles. And kind of how they work, not just the sense. Nobody ever talks about

the wicks or the scent throw or how they're made. So we wanted to do a special episode that

got into all of that. And the man who is going to explain everything to us is here. His name

is Louis Hodgis. He knows everything about candles. He and his wife, Junko, started Kobo

pure soy candles 17 years ago. They soon became known for high quality candles and sophisticated

complex fragrances. You'll hear him talk about some of them. They're just delicious. What was

once their kitchen counter laboratory is now developed into a factory that actually creates and

manufactures candles for some of the most major brands. So they're sort of like a private label

candle company, if you will. We talk about that. And of course, he makes his own candle lines,

which are all fabulous. You can check them out at KoboCandles.com. His company is based in Saratoga

Springs, New York. And we are really excited to have Louis Hodgis here on the show. Okay, let's do

the interview. And I'll meet you on the other side for Raisa Wond.

Louis, I'm so happy you're here. This has been like the most hotly anticipated episode

for a long time, because we are very big candle officianados. And our listeners are as well.

I have to ask you, how did you become the candle man?

Well, for me, well, thank you for having me. First of all, I'm really excited about this also.

I think it was until you guys contacted me that I didn't realize that I was an expert in anything.

And then I had to think about it for a while. But I started making candles. And

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