Buffalo Boss Babe : Kelsey Brodnicki

Kelsey Brodnicki of Lunar Rei Candle Co.

Before the pandemic, Kelsey had a booming esthetician and makeup business. When that was put on hold due to the restrictions, she turned her hobby of candle making into a business. And they are not just candles, she charges each candle with Reiki healing and ads crystals to amplify the energy. Read her story here and check her out at : @LunarReiCandleCo

What made you start or brought you where you are today ? Tell us your Story. What makes you a Buffalo Boss Babe?

In 2020, during the midst of the pandemic, my industry as an esthetician and makeup artist was put on pause. I’m not one to sit still so I used the opportunity to use the knowledge that I had with making candles as a hobby into a business. I started making candles in my kitchen, then took over our basement while selling our candles and crystals at vendor shows around Buffalo and finally in 2021, eventually expanding to our store front in the village of Orchard Park. Our candles at Lunar Rei are made with natural waxes, cotton wicks and clean burning fragrances then reiki charged and crowned with crystals to enhance intentions and add healing energy. Reiki is universal life force energy, I felt this was a way to spread the most love and light as a reiki master. Every full moon, we pour a limited amount of candles that corresponds with that moon, harnessing the energy so that it can be burned later when you’re looking to use that extra magic of that moon. We hold candle making classes that we call, Pour Parties right in our studio in Orchard Park! You’re able to come pour your own intentions into your personalized candle whether it be to manifest abundance, healing, joy, love or whatever you want! Crown your candles with crystals that you choose. While your candle is curing you can drink, eat or shop our storefront that has other intentional goods such as room and body sprays, skin care, crystals, and other local small business goods. We hope to grow our business through the years and continue to spread love and light at vendor shows and our retail store.

Who are your favorite people to follow ?

Other small business owners especially woman owned local business owners

What are your favorite things to do in the area ? Buffalo and greater WNY

I love finding events that support other small businesses. Especially with other healers.

Tell us about your favorite collaboration or dream collaborations ?

I have loved creating events at Lunar Rei with some local women! We have had sound baths and tarot readings with Jamie Bailey of Sovereign Soul and tarot readings with Elora Green of Inner Light WNY and even hosted full moon parties and meditations. We’ve created beautiful pressed flower candles with Francis Foliage and hosted pop ups with Bloom Flower Bar. We worked with Marisa and Emily from Remedy & Rituals and created an Empowerment Ritual kit with bath salts, body oil and a candle! I hope to continue collaborations with these women and hopefully create new collaborations in the future with other like minded businesses, please reach out if you would love to work with us!

If you could have coffee with anyone in the world who would it be?

Josh Allen! Go Bills.

What are your hopes, dreams, goals. Big or small?

I have big goals that I’m manifesting but for now I just want to continue to grow and make amazing, quality candles!

Tell us about your family?

As a small business owner, we rely heavily on the help and support from family. I’m married to my super supportive husband, and we have 3 great, busy kids and 2 rescue pups, Luna and Stella. My cousin Sarah, is the Lunar Rei general manager and our whole family is so supportive and helpful with all our endeavors, we truly couldn’t be as great without their support.

FEEL GOOD FAVORITES

Restaurant in Buffalo:

We love Lucia’s and the Roycroft Inn!

Color:

I’m allergic to color, but I do love emerald green, we even have an emerald green couch at Lunar Rei!

Super Power:

Intuition, I feel like there is nothing stronger than a gut feeling!

Animal :

I love, love dogs you might even see one at the shop! But I really love penguins, they’re just the cutest creatures and I could watch them all day!

Season of the year:

Spooky season! Lunar Rei thrives during spooky season, we even got married on Halloween and I wore a black custom made gown!

Favorite thing about Buffalo / WNY:

I have lived in 4 other states and there really is no place like home. People are genuine and supportive of each other! Also, GO BILLS!