Lighting the Way with LUV: How a Las Vegas Couple Turned a Candle Catastrophe into a Mission

After a candle exploded in their home, Dayna and Henry transformed into shock into inspiration, creating Pieces of LUV Candle Company, a business built on safety, compassion, and community.

The flame flickered wildly, bright and beautiful, until it wasn’t. One moment, Dayna and Henry were enjoying a candlelit dinner; the next, the room erupted in a burst of heat and smoke. Wax splattered across the dining table, leaving a charred mark that would later become a symbol, a reminder of why Pieces of LUV Candle Company exists at all.

“That was our sign,” Dayna recalls, half laughing, half shaking her head. “We just looked at each other and thought, first of all, what is in this candle? And why are people putting this in their homes?”

That night changed everything. It transformed a hobby into a calling, and a near disaster into a purpose: to create candles that are not only beautiful and aromatic, but also safe, eco-friendly, and crafted with genuine love.

From Accident to Awakening

Back in 2020, when the world was unraveling under lockdowns and uncertainty, Dayna was simply looking for a way to relax. “I looked up a few hobbies, and candle making was at the top of the list,” she says. “So I thought, why not? I bought a few supplies and started playing around.”

She didn’t expect much from her experiments, but when she shared photos of her first creations on Facebook, friends started asking how much they cost. At the time, Dayna laughed it off. She wasn’t planning on launching a business, just finding a little peace amid the chaos.

It wasn’t until that fateful dinner date when one of their store-bought candles exploded that the couple realized how dangerous ordinary candles could be. “That was the moment,” Dayna says. “We decided we were going to make candles differently.”

They spent the next two years researching everything from wax compositions to wicks and fragrance oils. Nothing was too small to question. “We wanted to make sure we were using the best products possible,” she says. “From the wax to the wick, everything needed to be safe.”

Building a Brand with Heart

Out of that research came Pieces of LUV Candle Company, a small Las Vegas-based brand dedicated to crafting non-toxic, soy-based candles that people could burn safely around children, pets, and the elderly. Their name captures their philosophy perfectly: “We spell ‘love’ with L-U-V,” Dayna says with a smile. “Because you can’t spell LUV without you.”

Their mission extends beyond selling candles. They’ve turned candle-making into a shared experience, offering workshops for residents, bachelorette parties, and local events across the Las Vegas Valley. Each session is part education, part entertainment, and entirely heartwarming.

“We want people to leave with more than a candle,” Henry explains. “It’s about connection, about spreading LUV through what we do.”

That approach has struck a chord. The couple’s events are often filled with laughter, friendly competition, and a few rounds of trivia. “A lot of people tell us they’ve been to candle classes before, but they weren’t fun,” Dayna says. “Ours are interactive. We do giveaways. We make it feel like a party.”

It’s this energy, authentic, unpretentious, and deeply personal, that has made their workshops a local favorite.

Lessons in Trust and Tenacity

Behind the glow of success, however, were hard lessons learned. Running a business together while holding full-time jobs is no easy feat. The couple had to master time management, marketing, and the occasional heartbreak of dealing with unreliable suppliers.

“One thing we learned the hard way is that not all candle manufacturers are the same,” Dayna admits. “I used to be overly trusting. But when it comes to what we’re putting our name on, we have to be careful. We owe that responsibility to our customers.”

It’s that sense of responsibility, the belief that every candle represents their integrity, that drives them. “We can’t just do what’s easy or what costs less,” she says. “We have to stay true to our mission.”

Henry nods in agreement. “We’re not in it to make something quick. We’re in it to make something that matters.”

The Secret Ingredient Is LUV

When you meet Dayna and Henry, it’s impossible not to feel their warmth. They radiate the same comfort their candles are meant to bring. Their energy fills every workshop, every market booth, and every interaction online.

“Our name isn’t just a brand,” Dayna says. “It’s a promise. We put LUV in everything we do.”

Henry agrees. “We care about our customers because we’re customers too. We know what it’s like to bring something into your home and want it to be safe and beautiful.”

That empathy infuses every part of the business, from the hand-poured wax to the personalized labels, from the eco-friendly materials to the careful scent selections. The couple sources only soy wax, natural wicks, and clean-burning fragrances, staying far away from toxic blends and additives.

The result? Candles that burn evenly, smell heavenly, and give buyers peace of mind.

Lighting Up the Community

Pieces of LUV Candle Company has quickly become a beloved fixture in the Las Vegas community. With nearly 200 five-star Google reviews and a spotless reputation, Dayna and Henry have built something rare — a small business that customers trust completely.

“We haven’t gotten a single review under five stars,” Henry says proudly. “People can feel that we care.”

Their workshops have become popular across the city’s residential and event spaces, and their online presence continues to grow. Most new customers find them through Instagram or Google, where their glowing testimonials serve as digital word of mouth.

But what truly sets them apart is the ripple effect of their work. “We just want to educate people,” Dayna says. “Even if they don’t buy from us, we want them to know what’s safe to bring home. If we can help one person avoid a toxic candle, or keep a pet safe, then we’ve done our job.”

Dreams That Glow Brighter

As for the future, Dayna and Henry have their sights set on expanding their LUV-filled mission. Within the next year, they hope to open their own event space, a dedicated studio where they can host themed candle-making classes for holidays, birthdays, and private events.

“Our goal is to give more people the experience,” Dayna says. “We want to teach, connect, and keep spreading the message of safety and LUV.”

The dream is growing, but the heart behind it remains the same. “Regardless of your bad days, anything is possible if you believe in yourself,” Dayna reflects. “We’re living proof of that.”

Henry smiles, quietly proud. “She said it all,” he adds.

Keep the Flame Burning

For those who want to experience the warmth themselves, Pieces of LUV Candle Company offers workshops, markets, and handcrafted candles available for purchase online. Visit handmadepiecesofluv.com to explore their collections, or follow @piecesofluvcandles on Instagram to join their growing community.

Because at Pieces of LUV, the message is simple yet profound — you can’t spell LOVE without you.

This feature is part of The Business View Journal’s Local Spotlight Series — your trusted source for discovering the best small businesses in your community.