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          Candles are everywhere you look nowadays.  Candles, specifically citronella candles, are used by people to ward off annoying insects and mosquitoes while enjoying a relaxing evening outside.  Even more, candles have become integral to most ceremonies and are a welcomed part of American culture.

     The history of candles dates back many years, even centuries.  According to The National Candle Association, one of the earliest uses of candles can be traced to the Ancient Egyptians in 3,000 B.C. as a way to provide light.  Candles have also been central to worship and religious ceremonies thousands of years ago.  

     Did you know that in the 1800s, candles were used by miners as a way to keep track of time?  The candles were marked with 12 lines, and when the wick burnt to a specific line, the miners would know it was time for a shift change.  Today, most people use candles to make their homes feel cozier.  They have become decorative pieces, proven to enhance one’s mental vibe.  Greensboro, NC, resident Daria Via has made it her business to bring the art and culture of candle-making to the forefront. 

     Daria is the owner and operator of Cozy + MeTime Candles.  Originally from Martinsville, VA, Daria is married to Brandon, and together they share one son, Braylon, whom she describes as her “why” and motivation.

     Daria also understands the nuances of candles, how they complement an environment, and most of all, how impactful they can be in providing a feeling of peace and serenity to those who utilize them.  She attended the Art Institute of Charlotte, NC, and majored in fashion and marketing.  She also attended Guilford Technical Community College and received an associate degree in business administration and marketing. 

     Americans are among the most morbidly obese globally. Still, we spend more than any country per capita on weight loss gimmicks. Melody McClellan, of St. Louis, MO, is a wife, mother, and former pharmaceutical sales rep, and ten years ago, she would have never imagined herself helping others in physical health and wellness. Today, she can’t imagine doing anything else. 

     As her clients call her, Coach Melody is an outstanding Health and Wellness with twenty-plus years of experience. “After years as a pharmaceutical sales rep, I realized there is a huge lack of education around nutrition and mental wellness,” Melody explained. “I saw the bags of medication growing, but nobody was actually getting better.”