Our Team

RAW Candles was created to bring intentional light into everyday spaces.

What started as a small idea at the kitchen counter has grown into something bigger than candles — it’s become a family ritual, a creative outlet, and a reminder to slow down.

Every candle is hand-poured in small batches with care, intention, and purpose.

But RAW is not built by one person alone.

Elke Withers

RAW Candles Co was founded in Iowa by Elke with a simple but powerful intention: to create light that feels purposeful.

Elke designs and hand-pours every candle herself, overseeing each detail from scent formulation and stone selection to color balance and ritual design. Nothing is mass produced. Every batch is created with care, tested with intention, and poured in small runs to preserve quality and meaning.

Founder & Creative Director

Matthew, investor in RAW Candles, LLC. About page.

Matthew Ashburn

Matthew supports the vision behind RAW Candles through creative direction, content ideas, and steady encouragement. As an early investor, he believed in the brand before it had momentum — and continues to help shape its growth.

Creative Content Advisor & Investor

A young girl with glasses smiling, sitting on a wooden bridge outdoors in autumn.

Quality Control Team Lead

Camille

Camille is in charge of sealing outgoing packages. If your box arrives with a little extra care pressed into it, that was her. She believes every candle should feel special before it’s even opened.

A young girl with long blonde hair sitting by a lake in autumn, surrounded by fallen leaves, wearing a blue skirt and a beige sweater, smiling under a large tree with yellow and orange leaves.

Quality Control Assistant

Emery

Emery helps prep and seal boxes and makes sure each one is “just right.” She takes quality control very seriously and believes stickers and stamps must be perfectly placed.