We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Trevor & Jen Byrne. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Trevor & Jen below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Trevor & Jen with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Our work ethic comes from our backgrounds, our passion for what we do, and our commitment to building something meaningful together. We both grew up in hardworking families—Jen was raised in Puerto Rico by parents who worked tirelessly to provide for her and her brother, and Trevor also comes from a family that instilled a strong sense of responsibility. Those values have shaped how we approach life and our business.
We have different strengths that balance each other out—Jen is detail-oriented and handles the marketing, sales, and branding side of the business, while Trevor focuses on production and finances. He’s the big-picture thinker, always coming up with ideas, and Jen ensures those ideas come to life with precision. We work as a team, always pushing each other to do better, especially during long nights perfecting our products or strategizing our next steps.
At first, we struggled to align on our vision, and it made us question whether we could move forward. But instead of settling, we took the time to communicate and refine what we truly wanted Chocolate Avenue Candle Co. to be. Now, our shared passion and teamwork drive us forward.
For us, work ethic isn’t just about putting in hours—it’s about working smart, staying adaptable, and trusting each other’s strengths. Some nights we pull all-nighters, but we always remind ourselves that we’re building something we love together. That keeps us going, no matter how tough it gets.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
We are the husband-and-wife team behind Chocolate Avenue Candle Co., a handcrafted candle company inspired by our love for Hershey, Pennsylvania. Our journey started with a passion for creating strong, high-quality scents that bring warmth, nostalgia, and comfort into people’s homes. We handcraft every candle with care, from our handmade concrete jars to our wax melts and room sprays. Using premium ingredients to ensure a long-lasting and memorable experience.
What makes our brand special is the way we blend scent and storytelling. Many of our scents are inspired by the roads of Hershey, such as our Cedar Avenue candle. Our most popular scent, Chocolate Avenue, is inspired by the rich, chocolate-filled air of downtown Hershey, PA. It captures that warm, inviting aroma, allowing people to experience a little piece of the town’s unique charm. Our goal has always been to create more than just candles—we want our products to transport people to a cherished memory, a cozy place, or a moment of pure relaxation.
As we continue to grow, we’re excited to explore new collections that reflect even more of who we are. One thing we’re passionate about is incorporating Jen’s Puerto Rican heritage into a future candle line, celebrating the scents that remind her of home. From tropical notes to rich, comforting aromas tied to tradition, we’re looking forward to expanding our brand in a way that feels deeply personal and meaningful.
For us, Chocolate Avenue Candle Co. is more than just a business—it’s a labor of love. We put our hearts into every scent, every design, and every interaction with our customers. Whether someone is discovering us for the first time or has been with us since the beginning, we want them to feel the same warmth and joy that we put into our work.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, the three most impactful qualities in our journey have been adaptability, perseverance, and financial awareness.
Adaptability – Running a business means constantly learning, adjusting, and improving. We’ve had to pivot many times—whether it was refining our branding, experimenting with new scents, or navigating supply issues. Being open to change has helped us grow.
Perseverance – Success doesn’t happen overnight, and challenges are inevitable. We’ve built this business while both working full-time jobs, and Jen is also pursuing a master’s degree. Balancing everything can be exhausting, but we stay committed because we believe in what we are creating. Pushing through the long nights and tough days has been key to keeping our business moving forward.
Financial Awareness – Having a great product is important, but understanding costs, pricing, and budgeting is what keeps a business running. Trevor’s finance skills have been a huge asset, and we recommend that new business owners take time to learn the financial side early on—it saves a lot of stress later.
For anyone starting out, focus on staying flexible, pushing through setbacks, and making informed financial decisions. Those three things will help you build a business that lasts.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
We’re always open to partnering and collaborating with others who share our passion for high-quality, handcrafted products. We love working with small businesses, boutiques, and local shops interested in carrying our candles, as well as event planners looking for custom candle favors.
We’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with local bakeries, breweries, realtors, and schools to create custom candles that align with their brand and vision. We’ve also provided wedding favors—including for our own wedding—allowing couples to gift something unique and meaningful to their guests. Additionally, our candles are carried in local boutiques, helping to bring our handcrafted scents to even more people.
We’re also open to working with creators, artists, and brands that align with our values—whether through exclusive scent collections, co-branded products, or unique experiences that bring something special to our customers.
If you’re interested in collaborating, we’d love to connect! You can reach us through our website at ChocolateAvenueCandle.com or send us an email at [email protected]. Let’s create something amazing together!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chocolateavenuecandle.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chocolateavenuecandleco
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chocolateavenuecandleco/
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