James Walters is the co-owner of Johnston Big Gay Candle Co., and his product name and the witty words on the label exude a sense of humor. On the other hand, his candles are serious business.

Big Gay Candle Co. uses hand-poured 100% soy wax candles and melts, and offers a selection of 4 ounce and 8 ounce candles and 3 ounces of melted wax, with names such as "oh my dear" and "his hoodie" "Ice coffee and cigarettes" and "Thanksgiving Day out".

Walters said that when people see his product with their own eyes, they usually laugh at the product name and other content written on the label. "They usually laugh, which is good. But then they said,'Oh, this smells good,'" he said.

Walters said it is important to provide candles made of natural environmentally friendly materials.

He uses wine glasses as containers for candles so that they can be cleaned and reused.

"I use phthalate-free perfumes, and they also don't contain parabens. This is very important because parabens can cause headaches," he said.

He also uses lead-free wicks made of tissue paper.

"Before I started making candles, I didn't even know that lead was a problem," he said. "I thought,'Why are we still using lead in the wick at home-we set it on fire -?'

"I try to be natural-I also use recyclable or recyclable products as much as possible, such as recycled paper for labels and reusable water cups."

Walters, who is 6 feet 5 inches tall, said that Big Gay Candle Co. was born out of need, and the name behind the company calls itself "Big Gay."

He wanted to find a candle as a gift for a gay friend older than him.

"All I can find are flashes, rainbows and unicorns," Walters said. "I thought,'We are not teenagers-we are not spring chickens; we are not old, but we are not gay."

This is where Walters’ customer base started, but after Big Gay Candle’s recent participation in the market, changes have taken place, such as the local plantation show in Madrid, the pride of Iowa City, and Vintage & Made in Des Moines in Des Moines.

The label clearly states that the candle is "Made in Iowa."

With its elegant appearance, diverse fragrances and playful humor, Walters' products left a deep impression on the women participating in the market. They were attracted by his products and his personality like a moth to the fire.

"They like these products, and it's a very simple way to make someone an ally," he said.

It's easy because Big Gay Candle Co.'s products are off-white, with clean lines, and provide a certain degree of sophistication, which complements Walters' humorous product names and proverbs.

Even a colorful rainbow-themed candle, Pride Everyday, is still a bit low-key in its sleek glass container, with an elegant label reminding "It's not just June."

Like the other Big Gay candles, it is hand cast, but this one has eight layers-from purple to pink to white. They are particularly labor-intensive, and Walters takes about two days to complete. Like other Big Gay products, it is also weighed to ensure consistency.

"Pride Everyday smells like mud and wood cologne," Walters said. "It smells like a boy."

Pride candles are only available in 8 ounce cans and are priced at $25. Other Big Gay Candle products sell for 8 ounce candles for US$20, 4 ounce candles for US$10, and 3 ounces of melted wax for US$5.

"Our most popular scents are iced coffee and cigarettes, brunch, creampie and selected series," he said. "Creampie is my favorite-it smells like a bakery."

Walters said: "My profession is a musician. The pandemic is a bit difficult for most people, especially those in the art world."

Before the pandemic, he worked in the music departments of Urbandale and Johnston schools, but it was difficult to keep up during COVID-19.

"It's very, very difficult to do things online, and it exhausts me very, very quickly," Walters said. "I have reached a threshold that I can no longer do."

He resigned and assessed his situation for about a month.

A few years ago, he and his business partner, Kinsey Mazunik of Waukee, had the idea of ​​starting a candle company.

Big Gay Candle Co. officially launched on March 15, 2021.

The business started with Instagram and Etsy and released three new candle scents at once.

His first batches were "Oh, dear" ("a judgmental smell that smells like side eyes and a honeycomb"), "Brunch" ("b----ing side of bottomless shyness" Grass") and "Gym shower" ("Smells like soap, hormones and regret").

"The gym shower is an accidental Christmas candle," Walters said. "Because it smells so good."

Walters first thought of the name, then the smell, and then stepped back from there.

"Coming Out on Thanksgiving Day" was inspired by two episodes of "Will and Grace".

"They are my favorite series, I just find them very interesting," Walters said. "The candle is a mixture of pumpkin, wood, and cinnamon scents."

Walters grew up in Lawson, Missouri, a "small town" near Kansas City, "a place I can't wait to leave," he said, and came to Iowa to attend Simpson College.

"I came out at 29. I am 39 now. I have been married for three years, so I had to divorce and came out all at once. Very interesting," he said dryly.

He told his immediate family in July 2011 that he posted a group message on Facebook before he spent Thanksgiving with the extended family.

"I told them I came out this summer, please don't mention it; it will be embarrassing," he said with a smile. "The family on my mother's side thought I would come out on Thanksgiving, but I didn't—it's done."

During the holidays, Walters launched a batch of new candle perfumes, which are a naughty and beautiful theme.

Walters brought his business to the first market in September, when he participated in the Vintage and Made market in the Dallas County Fair. The following weekend, he participated in the local plantation exhibition in Madrid, followed by the Iowa City Pride Festival in early October.

The Big Gay Candle will return to the market in the next few weeks-Saturday, November 13 at Vintage & Made in the heart of the Des Moines; Saturday and Sunday (November 20-21) at Snus Hill near Madrid The winery’s local planting display and the beautiful land market at the Ames Prairie Moon Winery from December 3rd to 4th.

It can be ordered online at Big Gay Candle Co.’s Etsy store.

Walters also has his candles at Bing's at the intersection of the West Des Moines Valley, and he is looking for other retailers. In the long run, he said he wants to have his own storefront.