GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Cynthia Lennartson is in the process of turning a hobby into a business with the help of the Business Incubator Center, a nonprofit that assists small businesses.

Lennartson turned to candlemaking seven years ago after her 20-year-old son died in a tragic accident.

Lennartson's son loved candles and she found making them was a way to honor him and it gave her comfort.

“I wanted something reverent, something that smelled good,” Lennartson said. “It helped me feel closer to him.”

For years Lennartson would share with friends and family the candles she made. And as often happens, people started telling Lennartson “you should sell these.”

In April, Lennartson launched her web-based business: humannaturecandles.com.

She makes candles of various shapes, colors and sizes including jar candles, pillars either round or square, votive candles, and specialty candles — all made from soy wax or a soy-paraffin blend. They're scented with essential oils or natural fragrances.

“They're always unique. I'm always coming up with something new,” Lennartson said. “They're simple and elegant.”

At a job fair, Lennartson met Mariah Zerbe, assistant director of the small business development center located at the Incubator, 2591 Legacy Way. Lennartson learned she could attend a website design class at the Incubator and also consult with business counselors there about her idea of a candle business.

“They helped me with search engine optimization. It was all new,” Lennartson said.

Lennartson is currently working on a business plan with the help of the Incubator to explore the possibility of eventually opening a storefront.

Visit the website www.humannaturecandles.com