During pandemic shutdowns, many people found themselves taking up new hobbies and pastimes, like baking, crafting, music and more.

Now one Whiteland couple has turned what began as a pandemic pastime into a business in Nashville.

Nicholas Cannon-Mason was notified by the NextDoor neighborhood app of someone selling candle-making supplies. He thought that he’d surprise his wife, Rachelle, with the equipment. That evolved from giving and selling candles to friends, then to a Facebook group, the Wise Woman Shoppe, where they built an online community.

Initially, Rachelle said she wondered “why in the world” her husband would go buy a startup kit for candle making. She was intrigued, though, and made a few scents for fun. Then she tried to sell some to family and friends.

“Before I knew it, the Wise Woman Shoppe was born,” she said.

Now, they have a storefront on South Van Buren Street, in the building that once housed Sweetwater Gallery.

“This is all my wife’s love project,” Nicholas said. “We were not expecting it to turn into this.”

The couple is from Whiteland, but Nicholas said their hearts have always been in Brown County. They honeymooned in Brown County after marrying on family property near Lake Lemon on July 4, 2014.

“It’s been a dream to end up in southern Indiana,” he said.

The couple has property near Lake Lemon they want to build their “forever home” on someday. Their plan was to get the house, move to Brown and then open a shop.

“It just happened in reverse order,” Nicholas said.

Nicholas owns his own insurance agency, Cannon-Mason Agency, in Whiteland. He said his family has always been entrepreneurs, but this is Rachelle’s first experience.

Having some extra fun money is what initially inspired Rachelle to sell the candles, but then decided she wanted to do more. As her customer base grew, so did the scents she offered, she said.

Now, she does custom orders, especially loving the nostalgic side of creating a candle.

“Lilac candles with lilac petals that remind them of childhood summers at grandma’s house,” she said. “Things like that started making me believe there was a higher purpose for candles.”

While they can smell nice and make a home or office fragrant, Rachelle said her own purpose for making candles became different. “It became memories and healing,” she said.

Rachelle’s grandmother has played a role in inspiring what the Wise Woman Shoppe is all about. Rachelle said her grandmother herself is a “wise woman.”

“I grew up, because of her, with empathy and acceptance of all paths in life and a universal truth,” she said.

History is her second inspiration for this shop. When it came to reading about the history and lore of healers and wise women, Rachelle said she found their purpose was always love and light.

“To help those heal; to teach protection and acceptance; to show grace; most importantly to share their hearth,” she said.

A hearth is “the heart of the home and the memory keeper,” Rachelle continued.

While not everyone in the modern world has a hearth, a candle can act as a smaller version, Rachelle said.

“A portable memory when it smells like grandma’s lilac bush blowing on a warm, soft summer breeze. A talking piece because it’s unique,” she said. “So for me, being a wise woman is offering your hearth, which is a symbol for love, light and grace. The hearth I offer is a candle.”

The need for inner peace is something that all people share, no matter one’s religion or spirituality. For those drawn more to the healing energy of crystals, she does offer affordable, museum grade crystals to help people “find their path,” she said.

She also has intention vials, smudge sticks and more.

“If she’d started in-person instead of online, the shop could have been called ‘Anything Brown County,’” Nicholas said.

They sell soy, paraffin-free candles, homemade jams and jellies, goats milk soaps, hand-blended teas, jewelry, crystals, decor, books, art and more. Nicholas said it’s only a third of what they have to offer.

Most every handmade item is made in the Cannon-Mason home. They were operating online for more than a year before getting the storefront location. They started making jams and jellies in April with the banana jam being Nicholas’ own creation.

“The Nashville House has their apple butter, we have our banana jam,” Nicholas said.

“We hope it becomes a part of Nashville’s fame,” Rachelle said.

They also aim to be eco-friendly, offering a jar buy-back program where people can bring in clean mason jars with lids and receive $1 off of their purchase.

They started with the Facebook group instead of a page because Nicholas said that it’s not just about selling product, but it’s about connecting with other people.

“Other people post and bring good energy,” he said. “It’s more about building community than just about building a business.”

Not only does the Wise Woman Shoppe feature the owners’ own creations, but they also aim to feature local artists and artisans. Greenwood artist Delaram Moghaddam’s work is currently available for purchase.

“She’s very talented and I hope people enjoy the ambience her artwork brings to the Shoppe,” Rachelle said. “Whether (artists) are there a long time or it helps them launch their dreams, everyone deserves a chance for their work to be seen. I’m honored to be able to help them pursue their dream.”

The Wise Woman Shoppe will offer promotions and special sales. They also plan on having evening events such as a “Wine and Candle” workshop where participants can leave with two or three candles they make themselves.

Although candles were the beginning of the store, Rachelle said there is so much more.

“Even if you stop in to just say ‘Hi’ or sit on the settee while listening to the fountain bubble, to people watch, or browse the used books selection, or just want to enjoy the Celtic music in the air, we hope to see you soon,” she said.

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Address: 145 S. Van Buren St.

Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays through Mondays

Facebook: facebook.com/groups/wisewomanshoppe

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