Purple Sun Candle Company was born in a small barn on the West Side of Petaluma California in 1996. Artisan Nancy Smith Upshaw started making candles in her kitchen and adjacent barn as a hobby, selling to local retail shops in the area while working in San Francisco for a large investment firm. It wasn't long before her small candle business attracted the attention of larger retail companies, buyers and reps all around the country. That's when she decided to leave her corporate job in the city to focus on bringing Purple Sun Candle Company to the forefront of the candle industry.

Within a few months, another local candle distributor offered Nancy and Purple Sun Candle Company an opportunity worth 1.5 million dollars asking that the company manufacture its line of scented candles for its mall based retail shops. Nancy turned the deal down and has had no regrets ever since. "I didn't feel that it was the right fit. I really just wanted to be in control of my own business and more importantly, wanted to focus on our own candle lines, creating a premium quality product without restrictions and dead lines. I wanted to have fun, without the stress of having to manufacture a zillion candles by the end of the week." Since then, the company has grown into one of the nations leading wholesale manufacturers of fine premium scented candles focusing on small business needs as well as working with major companies such as Whole Foods Markets across the country. In addition, Purple Sun manufactures private label candle lines for other companies including privately-owned markets and boutiques, local Sonoma County wineries, as well as a complete line of ceremonial candles used for hoodoo, Santeria, Catholic and/or Mayan rituals.

In May 2004, Purple Sun opened its doors to the public with the opening of "The Candle Factory" located in Petaluma California. "It was a place to sell all of the seconds we had been collecting for years" but as it turned out, "The Candle Factory" has become one of Petaluma's "hidden treasures", as their customers put it. Located away from downtown Petaluma, "The Candle Factory" is located in the Commercial District of Petaluma in the factory where the candles are made. The outlet features all of its exquisite candle lines at well below retail pricing, as well as candle holders and accessories, specialty candles and new and used candle making supplies. "Its a fun place to go because our customers don't have to pull teeth for a parking space." Its quaint, boutique style atmosphere offers a cornucopia of selection and is literally packed with candles. "We try to carry every kind of candle imaginable. And if we don't have it, we'll do our best to find it, or make it."

In recent months, "The Candle Factory" has received rave reviews on local Bay Area news stations including various morning news segments and the Bargain Hunter on KRON4. In addition, local Bay Area newspapers have written several "surprise" columns and write-ups. The San Francisco Chronicle spotlighted "The Candle Factory" as a "must visit" stop whenever in Sonoma County. "We've had so much free advertisement, it's been great!" Says Nancy. "They just seem to find us! And the response from our customers has been incredible."