About Ari's Wicks

Ari’s Wicks, LLC is a lifestyle retailer established in the Chicagoland area in 2020 and now located in Tampa, Florida. Originally known for uniquely scented soy-wax candles, the company has expanded to offer a range of self-care and home goods, including shower steamers and wax melts, alongside its signature candles. With a mission to bring mental clarity and comfort into homes through plant-based products, all items are individually produced, and every candle is hand-poured to ensure the highest quality for customers.

Founded by Ariana Lozada, Ari’s Wicks is a woman-owned, Latina business. Ariana turned her long-standing passion for candle-making into a full-scale enterprise to create financial stability during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. After producing her first batches of candles, she began selling products through her personal and business social media accounts. Following successful sales, Ari’s Wicks launched a website for consumer purchases and now distributes products through partnerships with local businesses, including The Groove Chicago and The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture

Profitable sales has also led to the participation in a number of pop-up shops, including:

Lolitas Bodega
La Ofrenda at Emporium,
Beautea Queens at Berwyn Eagles,
Club De Chingonas at Tacotlan,
Navi Arts Fest 2021-2024 and Barrio Arts Fest 2022-2025, (The National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture) Borinken Cakes,
Mercado Amor Y Amistad with Semillas Plant Studio

Ari’s Wicks has received notable media attention, including a feature on the Werk Mija’s Mujeres Empowering Mujeres Podcast and coverage in publications such as VoyageMIA and Disrupt. In 2022, the company was also featured on Daytime Chicago on WGN, a regional television program, which significantly increased Ari’s Wicks’ media exposure.

Links/Citations for article features and TV:WGN: https://wgntv.com/daytime-chicago/a-step-by-step-guide-to-making-a-pillar-candle/
VOYAGE MIA: http://voyagemia.com/interview/rising-stars-meet-ariana-lozada-of-chicago/
DISRUPT: https://disruptmagazine.com/whats-a-pandemic-to-a-latina-entrepreneur/

Podcast: https://www.audible.com/pd/Ep-23-How-Ariana-Lozada-Owner-of-Aris-Wicks-Took-A-Chance-On-Herself-
Turned-Her-Business-From-Part-Time-To-Full-Time-Podcast/B09VR424Y3

At its inception, Ms. Lozada operated Ari's Wicks from her apartment until August 2022, when operations moved to a warehouse in the Lawndale area of Chicago, IL. During this time, Ariana fulfilled orders, manufactured products, and hosted candle-making workshops.

In 2023, Ariana applied and was selected to participate in Berwyn Shops: A Home Grown Project, a retail incubator designed to support emerging entrepreneurs, artisans, and makers in Berwyn, IL. Located at 6931 Roosevelt Road, the project features twelve 12'x15' cottage-style shops open Fridays through Sundays from May to mid-December. Ariana successfully completed the program and graduated with a certificate.

In August 2025, Ariana packed up her life and business and made the move from Chicago to Tampa, Florida—for love, a new chapter, and new opportunities for Ari’s Wicks. While Chicago will always be an important part of the brand’s story, the move to Tampa opened the door to a new community, new partnerships, and new ways to grow the business.

Today, Ariana continues to expand Ari’s Wicks throughout Tampa Bay and beyond, with a growing focus on interactive candle-making workshops, private events, brand activations, collaborations, consignment, wholesale, and private-label partnerships.

As Ari’s Wicks continues to evolve, Ariana remains passionate about building meaningful relationships with other small businesses and creating opportunities to collaborate with Latinx, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses. What began as a small candle business in Chicago has grown into a colorful, experience-driven brand rooted in fragrance, creativity, community, and everyday luxury.

Ari's Wicks currently offers shipping within the U.S. and Puerto Rico, with local pick-up, in Tampa FL, also available. Stay up to date on new candle collections, pop-ups, and events by following on Instagram: @ArisWicks or Facebook: Ari's Wicks.