Our Story

Welcome to Canyon Scents

Hi! I'm Karen Badousek, owner and founder of Canyon Scents — and I’m so glad you’re here!

Candles have been my passion since I started with Gold Canyon Candles in 1999. After nearly 20 years in the industry, my business and team had grown strong. Locals knew me as the “candle lady” and loved coming to my home and shopping my candle cottage in Queen Creek, Arizona. So when Gold Canyon closed their doors abruptly in spring of 2020, I was devastated.

After a year of testing other brands, trying to find something close to Gold Canyon's legendary scents, I realized nothing matched their quality. I even spoke with the original founders (Curt & Karen Waisath) to see if they’d restart the business. They had moved on—but encouraged me to carry the torch. With the help of good friends and years of experience, I set out to create my own “World’s Finest Candle.” That’s how Canyon Scents began.

Our Story

Canyon Scents was born in Fall 2021, right here in Queen Creek, AZ — just 10 miles from the original Gold Canyon factory. Our candles are made from the finest wax available: a soy blend and food-grade paraffin blend. Each scent has a unique formula — a precise balance of wax, wick, and premium fragrance oils — tested thoroughly before launch to meet our quality standards.

All of our materials, including recyclable glass jars, are made in the USA. Our focus on craftsmanship and attention to detail makes us different. When you try our candles, you’ll see — the fragrances throw better, and the wax burns cleaner and more evenly than anything else on the shelf.

Our Mission

We’re here to provide the highest quality scented candles with a clean, safe, and even burn. But more than that, we’re building something that supports people. From empowering home-based sellers to providing fundraiser opportunities for schools and organizations — this business is about more than candles. It’s about community.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for being here. We hope you love our candles as much as we do!