Relume: Olympia Candle Company Empowering Refugees Through Sustainable Employment

In the basement of a church in Olympia, Washington, a small candle-making business is creating meaningful change for refugee families in Thurston County. Relume, founded by Karima Bassalé and Rand Roedell, provides employment opportunities for refugees who face significant barriers to entering the local workforce. Since launching production in October 2025, the company has sold over 1,500 candles while helping displaced individuals gain financial independence and community connection.

From Volunteer Work to Business Mission

The inspiration for Relume came from Bassalé and Roedell’s volunteer work with World Relief Western Washington, an organization that assists refugees in settling in Thurston County. Through their service — helping with grocery shopping, school registration, and transportation — they observed firsthand the challenges refugees face when seeking employment.

“Many refugees have trouble entering the workforce,” Bassalé explained. “Every attempt led to a dead-end.” This experience motivated the couple to create a solution that would provide dignified work regardless of language barriers or prior professional experience.

The idea solidified when Roedell was brainstorming Christmas gifts for his daughter and discovered a Tennessee-based candle company that employed survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. “I was moved by their story and thought my refugee friends could make candles even if they can’t speak English,” he recalled.

Building a Refugee-Focused Workplace

Relume officially incorporated as a business in July 2025 and began production on October 6, 2025. The company operates from the basement of Reality Church in Olympia, where refugees like Eiman Obid from Syria and Maguno Waziri from the Democratic Republic of Congo hand-pour candles into recycled glass holders.

Workers perform specialized tasks suited to their abilities: Eiman carefully sets wicks into hot wax, while Maguno pours wax into containers. After cooling on drying racks, the candles are cleaned, packaged, and prepared for shipment. Employees typically work two days per week, gaining consistent income in a safe, supportive environment.

“Maguno said she’s happy to have a safe place to work,” noted The JOLT News in its coverage of the shop’s opening.

Product Line and Community Impact

Relume currently offers three signature scents: Cedar and Fig, Moonlight, and Olympic Forest — the most popular among customers. All candles are made from eco-friendly, health-conscious materials, aligning with the company’s sustainability values.

Despite a modest initial goal of shipping 840 products by the end of 2025, community support exceeded expectations. Sales nearly doubled that target, with over 1,500 candles sold in the first months of operation. This success allows Relume to expand its mission of using proceeds to assist local refugees.

“There’s often a sense of helplessness — ‘I don’t like this, but I don’t know what to do,’” Roedell observed. “One of the things that I consider people resonate is they understand that, ‘OK — buying a candle is something I can do.’”

Ongoing Commitment to Refugee Empowerment

Relume’s model addresses a critical gap in refugee resettlement: access to employment that doesn’t require fluency in English or recognition of foreign credentials. By focusing on artisanal craftsmanship, the company creates opportunities for individuals to contribute meaningfully while building workplace confidence.

The founders continue to draw on their relationships with World Relief and other resettlement agencies to identify potential employees. Their approach emphasizes dignity, flexibility, and cultural inclusivity — allowing workers to maintain traditions while earning a livelihood.

As Relume grows, Bassalé and Roedell remain committed to their original vision: using business as a tool for community healing. Each candle represents not just a product, but a step toward stability for someone rebuilding their life in a new country.

Key Takeaways

• Relume is an Olympia-based candle company founded by Karima Bassalé and Rand Roedell to employ refugees facing workforce barriers.
• The business launched production in October 2025 and has sold over 1,500 candles using eco-friendly materials.
• Employees like Eiman (Syria) and Maguno (DRC) perform specialized tasks in candle-making, working two days per week in a safe environment.
• Relume’s three scents — Cedar and Fig, Moonlight, and Olympic Forest — are made in the basement of Reality Church in Olympia.
• The company’s success demonstrates how consumer choices can directly support refugee integration and economic independence.