Born from Grit
The story behind every Grit & Wick candle starts with a moment of clarity—and a rejection of everything that came before.
It started in a hospital room. Tim was diagnosed with cancer—a diagnosis that forces you to strip away the noise and focus on what actually matters. During those long stays, he was surrounded by something unexpected: sickeningly sweet candle scents. The kind of saccharine, cloying fragrances that tried to mask reality instead of honoring it. They felt like corporate lies in wax form.
That's when it clicked. The candle industry had it all wrong. They were chasing floral sweetness and mass-market appeal, when what people actually needed were scents with grit—fragrances that smelled like purpose, competence, and authenticity. Scents that didn't apologize for themselves.
So Tim made a decision. He wasn't going to create another generic candle brand. He was going to build something different—handcrafted candles made from 100% soy wax with bold, distinctive scents that actually meant something. Candles that smelled like gun oil and teakwood, woodsmoke and resilience, autumn and raw honesty. No sweet stuff. No corporate nonsense. Just real.
That decision became Grit & Wick. Every candle we hand-pour in our Caddo Mills workshop carries that origin story. We're not here to make candles that please everyone. We're here to create candles for people who reject the generic, who want their homes to smell like intention, and who understand that the best things in life are built on resilience and purpose.
This is what we've learned: adversity doesn't break you. It clarifies you. And clarity—that's where real craftsmanship begins.
The Mission
Create bold, no-fluff candles using 100% soy wax with custom scent options that prioritize quality and sustainability. Every candle is a statement: that you reject the generic, that you value authenticity, and that your space deserves to smell like something real.
Born from Adversity
A cancer diagnosis stripped away the noise. What remained was clarity about what actually matters in life and in the products we create.
No Sweet Stuff
We reject the sickeningly sweet, mass-market candle norm. Bold, distinctive scents that smell like purpose—that's what the world needed.
Handcrafted with Purpose
Every candle hand-poured in Caddo Mills carries intention. 100% soy wax, custom fragrance blending, and scents that actually mean something.
Scents That Smell Like Purpose
We don't make candles that apologize for existing. We make candles that smell like competence, intention, and authenticity. No synthetic florals masking emptiness. No corporate fragrance formulas designed to offend no one and inspire nothing.
Custom Fragrance Oil Blending
Every Grit & Wick scent is hand-blended using premium fragrance oils selected for depth, character, and storytelling. We don't follow trends. We create scents that tell stories—gun oil and teakwood for Iron Resolve, woodsmoke and comfort for Campfire Reserve. Each blend is intentional, layered, and unapologetic.
Rejection of Mass-Market Norms
While the candle industry drowns in saccharine vanilla and generic florals, we're building something different. Bold scents that challenge expectations. Fragrances that demand attention. Candles that make people ask, "What is that?" instead of "Why does everything smell the same?"
100% Soy Wax Foundation
Clean burns. Sustainable sourcing. No paraffin shortcuts. Every candle is hand-poured from pure soy wax because the vessel matters as much as the fragrance. You're not just buying a scent—you're buying craftsmanship.
"We create candles for people who know what they like and aren't afraid to be different about it. This is the Grit & Wick philosophy."
Crafted with Care
Every Grit & Wick candle is made with intention. We don't cut corners. We don't rush the process. And we definitely don't compromise on what goes into your home.
100% Soy Wax
Clean burns. Longer lasting. Better for the air you breathe. We source premium soy wax because it's the right choice—not because it's trendy.
Hand-Poured with Precision
Every candle is poured by hand in our Caddo Mills workshop. This isn't mass production—it's craftsmanship. Each pour is controlled, deliberate, and quality-checked.
Small Batch Approach
We make candles in small batches. This means fresher product, tighter quality control, and the ability to refine and perfect every single scent.
Made in Caddo Mills, Texas
This is a Texas operation. Local roots. Local pride. We build something real in our downtown workshop and ship it with care.
CADDO MILLS ROOTS
We're not a faceless corporation shipping from a warehouse in the middle of nowhere. We're a small-town Texas operation with big personality, rooted in the heart of Caddo Mills.
DOWNTOWN CADDO MILLS ADDRESS
Caddo Mills, TX 75135
Our workshop sits in the heart of downtown Caddo Mills—a place where craftsmanship still means something. This isn't a generic industrial park. It's a real community where neighbors know each other and quality matters.
TEXAS SMALL-TOWN AUTHENTICITY
Grit & Wick is built on authentic Texas values: hard work, integrity, and doing things right. We don't cut corners. We don't chase trends. We make candles the way they should be made—with intention and care in a place that still values those things.
LOCAL COMMUNITY CONNECTION
We're part of the Caddo Mills community. You'll find us at local craft fairs and markets, connecting with neighbors who get what we're about. Supporting a local artisan means supporting real people with a real story—not a faceless brand.
REGIONAL CRAFT MARKET PRESENCE
From Caddo Mills to across North Texas, we're building a reputation for bold, honest candles that refuse to compromise. Every candle that leaves our workshop carries that North Texas grit and determination.
WHERE WE CRAFT
CADDO MILLS, TX
Small-town roots. Big personality.
Location
Downtown
Community
North Texas
VISIT US OR CONNECT
Whether you're local or just passing through North Texas, we'd love to connect. Stop by our downtown Caddo Mills location or reach out through our community channels.
"We're not trying to be everything to everyone. We're just making damn good candles in a small Texas town. That's enough for us, and we hope it's enough for you."
— GRIT & WICK