Small Business Spotlight: Roseline’s Place
Tuesday, October 19, 2021 at 7:23AMArticle by Becky Fillinger, photos provided
Roseline FriedrichRoseline Friedrich’s candle and gift shop, Roseline's Place, at 2430 Central Ave NE is chock full of wonderful things to touch and smell and ogle. All of these reactions are welcome – you can even take a class to learn to make your own wonderful creations. We talked to Roseline about her immigration story, inspirations and overcoming the challenges of a startup.
Q: We love highlighting the immigration stories of our business community. Please tell us yours.
A: I came to the United States when I was 14 – directly to Minnesota. I joined family here and enrolled in school. I missed everything about Cameroon. It was excruciatingly cold here – I was out of my comfort zone in climate and every other way too. I graduated from Roosevelt High (2007) in South Minneapolis, and then I went to the University of Minnesota, graduating in 2012. I love what I do and am happy to be here – it’s an American success story.
Q: Tell us about the start of Roseline’s Candles.
A: I started making candles in 2019 for myself and friends. I was working full time in my career as a case manager serving youth and our fellow citizens suffering with housing crises. The candle making became more than a hobby as people wanted to buy them. It grew organically as I was just selling candles via text to friends and then it started growing. I decided to do a website and try an e-commerce site. In 2020 I went from making candles with friends to starting a business. In 2021 I went from an e-commerce business to opening a physical store and candle making bar on September 30th. The candle business allows me to utilize my creativity, make beautiful sustainable products and give back to my community.
Q: You mention ‘giving back’ as important to you. How do you define the concept?
A: I’m giving back to causes that are important to me – youth education and mentoring. I’m also giving to help our communities heal after incidents of trauma. When George Floyd was murdered a year ago, I was angry and sad. I was one of the protesters on the 35W bridge when the trucker drove into our group. I have PTSD from that day. I did what I could to help the community. I created 600 George Floyd remembrance candles and left them at George Floyd Square. More recently, Daunte Wright was murdered near my home. I did a fundraiser for his son Julian and donated all profits to the family.
Candle making bar
Inside the shop at 2430 Central Ave NE
Q: What do you want Mill City Times readers to know about your shop?
A: You will walk into my store and will immediately be immersed in the wonderful candle fragrances. Our candles are 100% soy. I make eco-friendly products. The high-quality candles are in beautiful, recyclable jars. We also carry cards, jewelry, art and great home goods. Our store is full of wonderful gifts that are sustainable too. I want readers to also know that they may take a candle making class in my store. Get a group of friends together and take a class – you’ll love the end product!
