MARSHFIELD, WI (OnFocus) – A local business that has not only provided joy and wonderful, aroma-filled products to its customers, but provided inspiration to many will be opening a new store in downtown Marshfield.
Already a single-mother of five, it was 2014 when Kriss Schmitt learned she would be having a fifth blessing. Throughout the pregnancy, she was updated by doctors on a condition that her newborn was developing while in the womb.
Kriss was told that her baby had hydrocephalus, a buildup of fluid in the brain, and potentially other medical needs.
Kriss had to make the decision to go through with the pregnancy and give birth to Kailey despite the struggles Kailey might experience in life and said that was one of the hardest things she’s had to do.
“We didn’t know. We didn’t know if she’d make it to birth,” Kriss said. “We didn’t know if she’d make it after birth.”
On October 25, 2014 Kriss was blessed with Kailey. She was born with a rare complex syndrome called Goldenhar Syndrome, Tetralogy of Fallot, Hydrocephalus and a host of other conditions.
It didn’t take long for Kriss to realize that her decision to have Kailey was the correct one. Kailey brought an innocent and charismatic charm to the family as they watched her grow.
Despite having 15 surgeries before turning six, Kailey has always had an upbeat attitude. Kriss said after an extensive heart procedure, Kailey was smiling and upbeat just two days after.
Seeing that happiness is what showed Kriss that Kailey was up for whatever life threw at her.
“That was the realization that she’s special,” Kriss said. “She was fine, she never once showed signs of pain. That’s when it was like, ‘Okay, we’ve got this.'”
Kailey is now 7 years old and is doing things her way. She loves playing Roblox, playing with her sisters Katrina and Korie and playing in water.
The strength and appreciation for life that Kailey has shown has given Kriss a new outlook on life.
“You just go with it,” Kriss said. “I think if we dwelled on everything, and had a pity party, I don’t think we’d be where we are. I don’t think Kailey would be as happy as she is. I don’t think her siblings would be as happy as they are.
“It’s changed me. It put me on a different path and I think it’s a good path. I think I needed her just like she needed me to straighten our lives out and get to this path we’re on.”
Kriss wasn’t the only one in the family learning from Kailey, her kids also learned how to be better stewards to people who might be getting picked on.
“Having her taught them something too,” Kriss said. “They stand up for kids who get picked on. They see that as people staring at their little sister.”
Kriss needed to have a steady income while being available to her kids and so Kailey’s Kandles was born.
“That was the thing with starting this business was going from working to being told, ‘Hey, you can’t work.’ Well, I still have to raise five kids,” Kriss said. “I still have to have money coming in somehow. When I met the previous owner of melting hearts, I asked her if she would sell the company.”
Making candles was not only a revenue stream, but it also helped Kriss relieve stress from the everyday life of being a stay-at-home parent.
“For me it is therapeutic,” Kriss said. “I give stay-at-home parents a lot of credit. I love working. I love adult interaction. To go from that to being at home all day, I needed something. It’s my way to escape everything going on. Having the ability to make these candles and get my creativeness out, it was a way for me to relieve stress.”
Kailey’s Kandles offers candles that are soy-based which helps extend the life of the candle and uses essential oils which helps keep air fresh without harmful chemicals. Some of the scents, branding and ideas come from Kriss’s kids and she said the creativeness that they show is really rewarding for them when they see the finished product.
Kriss used to make the candles out of her home but now, will be opening up a store at 111 West Second Street in Downtown Marshfield. She said there is a lot of work to be done but they plan to be open in May of 2022.
Kriss has recently met with the owners of the building Howard Properties and Development to get started on projects that will spruce up the property.
The growing company serves as something that Kailey will always have: a company that is named after her and pays tribute to her life.
If interested in reading more about Kailey’s story or Kailey’s Kandles, visit them on Facebook or check out their website.
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Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
