Bill Leach of Columbus considers himself a candle-carving master, and describes his hand carved candles as having a bit of “fairy tale magic.” Leach, who owns Bill’s Candles, also owns an ATM processing and service business. He hopes to make candle making his full-time job.

“I consider the candles as a change in direction for a career,” Leach says. “I wanted another business so I didn’t have so many miles on the road, and so I could help other people get a second chance by offering jobs as the business grows.”

Leach runs the business, which makes both intricately carved candles and scented jar candles, with his son, Tim. He’s been making carved candles for nearly six years, mainly for weddings, births and other events. (Pictures of Leach’s hand-carved candles, including a wedding cake top, can be seen online at weddingfairytaledreams.com.) Jar candles, available in four sizes ranging from 4 to 24 ounces, have become Leach’s primary product.

Currently, the candles are made and hand-poured in the basement of Leach’s home, but increased demand means that will change. “We’re to a point where we are moving soon to a facility,” Leach says. “Our goal is to be manufacturing 500,000 candles a year.”

Making a candle is a simple process at Bill’s Candles: The wax, usually purchased in 500- to 550- pound quantities, is melted; the jar is wicked; the wax is hand-poured into the jar and the scent is added. It is important, Leach says, for the scent to be strong, but not excessive. “You have to be precise so it’s not overpowering.” Scents are generally seasonal, and currently include Banana Nut Bread, Sugar Cookie, Cinnabun, Hawaiian Breeze, Lavender, Mulberry and Mango Papaya.

Columbus resident Terry Mullins has purchased several candles from Bill’s and says no others compare. “I’ve looked at popular brands of candles and they’re much higher [in price],” Mullins says. “If you can find a less expensive candle, the scent only lasts for a little while and they have wasted wax.” According to Mullins, other brands end up with unburned wax along the sides, while candles from Bill’s Candles burn evenly.

Leach sells his candles through his website, and they’re available at Roush Hardware in Columbus, but he hopes that soon his biggest sales will come through fundraisers for nonprofits, youth groups and other organizations.

According to Leach, a fundraising group would make as much money selling five 16- ounce scented jar candles as they would by selling 70 candy bars. For instance, he says, a 16-ounce candle would cost a nonprofit $7. If 30 people each sell five candles at $14, the profit would be $1,050. For fundraisers of 100 candles or more, a custom candle label can be provided at no additional cost. Both cost and quality, he says, “are still comparable to the national candle companies.”