About Us!
It has been just the 2 of us for many years. Growing up in a single mom household has taught me a lot. My name is Melissa Romak and I started Romak Studios in 2020, after trying to launch in 2019, but we all know how that ended up! However, lets start at the very beginning…
I moved to AB when I was 19 years old with a bag, $1000.00 and a dream. 20 years later I am not only realizing that dream every day, I am living it in every beautiful moment that passes through. With many trials and tribulations along the way of course – marriage, 3 kids, divorce, ending a 10 year career in insurance, moving, trauma, abuse, being a survivor has taught me more in life than any book ever could. I started my first “official” business in 2004 (not all the hustles that happened before that), I grew my own catnip, dried it, sourced materials and learned how to sew! Selling to local small pet stores I learned very quickly that the neighborhood cats liked it too…lol.
Next, I sold insurance, subscriptions, I even worked for World Vision! I once had a business where I set up my detached garage as a mini store, went thrifting, marketplace, etc. Cleaned and fixed up the items for re-sell. Entrepreneurship has been in my blood since birth! With Romak Studios, I decided to start right after I sold the market business that I had started in 2018/2019 – Which is still running now under a new name! All this time my mother was still living in Ontario, running her own accounting business and cheering me on from afar.
How did I come up with the name? This may seem very obvious, but in reality it was an ode to my grandparents. They were both a very large influence in my life growing up and I wanted to honor them in some way, for them to see their name in print before they passed. I am happy to announce that they have seen the site, decks, and have supported me in life and now in the afterlife with this dream.
How my mom joined the family business was actually very natural! Sitting and chatting with coffee after she moved to AB, I stated that I always wanted candles on my site, but that I had no time/space etc to make them! This is when I learned that she used to make candles on her lunch break from school when she was 8 year old! She immediately jumped in and got started with ideas/planning/execution of those ideas and I am forever grateful to have her.
In closing, this business is not just a source of income for me, it is my life, my children help with almost all aspects and I hope to leave them a legacy they can be proud of. Spreading healing, love, joy and peace across the globe is my life’s mission, and I vow to never stop growing, learning, teaching and providing a safe space for all!
XOXO MR
When Melissa mentioned to me that she wanted to open Romak Studios I was so proud that she was going to use our family name! Her dream is still not complete, but it will get there! As she mentioned, I have always had an interest in creating my own candles since I was a child. I’m not sure if my mother ever knew that I used most of her Para wax and my dad’s spare shoelaces as that is all I had available. Nothing was ever said by either of them, but there were 4 other children in the house so I knew if I was to say nothing maybe someone else would get blamed! Lol!
Melissa asked me if I wanted to contribute to Romak Studios, and of course I said yes! I love creating different scented candles and using all different vessels. I’m always on the lookout for new ideas and different containers, as not everyone has the same tastes on what they like for a candle.
Everyone needs to get away from the stress of life, whether it be jogging, gaming, sewing, gardening, etc. I have had a few in my lifetime. Being a single mom, raising a child and putting myself through school, painting each home that we lived in, and sewing were my stress releases. Now I find producing candles very relaxing, and my basement always smells so wonderful!
I have always taught my daughter to go after her dreams and this is exactly the path that she is taking. I am so happy that I can walk on her path with her! Romak Studios has such a wonderful verity of home-made items. Everything in the store is made with such love and intentions for inner healing, and in life we need this.
It is very gratifying to know that I can share this part of me with everyone who purchases my candle.
XO Mom
— Andrea Romak