For co-founder Dave Straub, the journey of Cork & Candles began in his childhood, making candles with his dad and selling them door-to-door. “When I was around 12 to 14 years old, I made candles with my dad,” he recalls. “I put them in a wagon, walked around my neighborhood, knocked on doors, took orders, came back to the basement, filled those orders and made money.” Those early experiences not only taught Dave the basics of entrepreneurship, but they also instilled a love for creating something tangible that brings people together.
Over the years, Dave developed and operated a variety of businesses, including owning a Brewster’s ice cream shop where his son Kenny worked and learned the ropes of running a business. Kenny later expanded his expertise by evaluating companies at private equity firms, experiences that would later shape the growth and vision of Cork & Candles.
When Kenny expressed a desire to start his own business, Dave saw a unique opportunity. “There’s a big difference between analyzing businesses and running one,” he explains. Owning a business means more than evaluating numbers, it means handling the day-to-day realities, from staffing to equipment issues, and learning to solve problems as they arise. For Dave, partnering with his son offered a way for Kenny to expand his experience and for the family to build something meaningful together.
The idea for Cork & Candles began to take shape when Kenny celebrated Mother’s Day by attending an experiential activity with his family, getting a firsthand look at how creative, hands-on events can bring people together. After that he and Dave began discussing the possibility of creating something together. “I made candles when I was a kid. I’ve started all these businesses. I have experience and some money I could use to help fund it,” Dave says. Combining Dave’s decades of business experience with Kenny’s business expertise and fresh energy, they launched Cork & Candles
From the very beginning, the business has been a family endeavor. “It wasn’t something I was searching for,” Dave reflects. “But as a dad, it felt like something really special to do with my son. It’s been nothing but a joy to build this together.”
Looking ahead, the vision for Cork & Candles is ambitious but rooted in the same values that started it all: family, creativity, and community. Dave shares, “Our goal is to grow Cork & Candles to 250 franchisees, and for it to remain a family business.”
From a basement candle hobby to a thriving national franchise, Cork & Candles is more than a business, it’s a story about connection, creativity, and the joy of building something together.
If you’re interested in learning more about Dave and Kenny’s journey, check out our video telling their full story.