In these first few months of 2024, we’re making some subtle changes to our subscriber shipments accoutrements. You’ll notice the art card has become a whimsical printed letter that complements your candle’s arrival (January was not as whimsical as we would have liked, but stay tuned!). We hope this monthly update further connects you with the people, places, and processes involved in turning an assemblage of resources into the little piece of craft and human history that is burning in your home.
It takes inspiration from several places, including from our short-lived subscriber zines ( 2022 iteration and its 2015 ancestor)—beautiful experiments that weren’t sustainable in their original conception.
Alongside this monthly letter, you’ll notice a BIG change in our matchboxes. Sofia wrote a great summary of the changes and why we’re making them, here.
What may be less obvious is that these changes are a small manifestation of our purpose of fostering connection.
This is important to me because in order to solve the big problems of our age, we must have at minimum the ability to focus, to see clearly, and to have a common basis of truth. A high quality of attention is a marker and a requisite for a well-functioning democracy, and for individual emancipation.
We have this context in mind when choosing the ways we communicate with you. You don’t need to know this background on the intimacy of letters to enjoy the changes we’re making, but it’s a good opportunity to reflect on the ways we all communicate with one another.
I’m curious to hear if you have any early feedback on these changes, or if you have any questions about our future plans.
Just reply to this email :)
Warmly,
— Harry from Keap, Steward-Owner
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In other news:
- Wild Figs is our Seasonal Scent for just a few more days! It is a versatile scent that I enjoy both in summer in winter. Its fruitiness is balanced by green and hazy notes that many find make it warm, inviting, a little bit sensual. Its versatility allows it to either play the role of Cupid, or of a warm, mediterranean blanket. On Thursday we’ll start shipping Hot Springs, your humble companion for your spa-at-home day. By the way, you can see the rest of our Seasonal Scent calendar here.
- Our Limited Release for Northlands ends today: tonight we will close this Limited Release—so if you were hoping to get your hands on some Northlands, now is the time. Shop here (Password: MIGHTYPINE).
- We’re hiring! We’re looking for a Hospitality and Retail Sales Lead to sustainably grow our portfolio of wholesale and hospitality partnerships. It is a 3-day/week role, based at our HQ in Kingston NY with frequent travel within the Hudson Valley and NYC. If you know someone who might fit the bill, please send them this posting!
- James Beard nominations are out: based on these nominations, we calculated that if you are a restaurant owner, you are over 800 times more likely to be nominated for a James Beard award if you burn our candles in your bathroom. I am not saying there is a causation there, but definitely a correlation! 😉 We were really excited to see several of our partners recognized by the James Beard foundation, including the teams behind New York venues Loring Place, Agi’s Counter, Lord’s, and Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi.
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Happy 7-year Keapiversary to Tony in Seattle! Happy 6-year Keapiversary to Zane in Brooklyn and Tara in New Jersey! 🎂
And since I have not written in a newsletter in a while, there are many new faces to welcome.
Jana, Monica, Fabio, Alejandra, Rebecca, Caroline, Diane, Bridget, Emily, Carol, Nika, Amy, Lauren, Kelly, Abigail, Cindy, Sophia, Laura, Leo, Melissa, Alex, Deborah, and Julia: a warm welcome to you and thank you for becoming a Keaper!
As I opened the door to our studio for the first time after my holiday break, I was filled with a sense of gratitude that this is what I get to come back to. And it’s all thanks to you—our Keapers and supporters—that we get to do this. Thank you! 🙏
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Northlands Limited Release // Shop now (password: MIGHTYPINE) // Ends tonight |
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Thoughts from the Keapersphere
Re: Intentionality (or lack thereof) in newsletters
“Harry, I want to give you a compliment to you and your team.
I am unsubscribing from most of my emails. There are too many and they have little substance beyond pushing a product or promoting the inevitable and perpetual sale.
I continue to subscribe to Keap Candles. The emails from you and your colleagues are ones that I value and read as carefully as you have written them. There is such purpose to your work, an intentionality that you share with your clients. Your communications invite us into your world in a way that most businesses don't and it feels more like a partnership in which we are invested.
I am quite sure that at each step, you (wisely) question yourself. From this customer's perspective, you're doing the right things. Thanks for all that you do with such intention and beauty. (And I didn't say a word until now about how fabulous your products are!)”
— Cynthia in Philadelphia
Thank you so much for taking the time to share these kind words, Cynthia!
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Minute of fun (sort of)
Back in December, we had a lunch conversation about the uncanny valley—simply put, it’s when an android is a bit too human-like but not quite there.
We ended up watching this bizarre video of a research project where a scientist (?) created a crude silicon throat-and-mouth contraption, tacked on a grotesque oversized plaster nose, and made it speak ominous vowel sounds.
It both terrified us and had us crying with laughter—and is a good soundtrack to have in mind for when you are not quite sure about the answer to a question. |
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MORE ABOUT KEAP
Keap is a Benefit Corporation started in 2015, inspired by a philosophical question: In an always-on world, how can we reconnect with ourselves and restore our balance with nature? Made in Kingston, NY, our candles combine deep artistry with a regenerative approach that extends to the way we treat our customers, our team and other stakeholders. |
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