About Me

Hi there, I'm Jen, the creator and founder of The Modern Sonoran. I live in Chandler, Arizona, with my family, surrounded by the beauty of the Sonoran Desert (hence the name!). Life is full with three kids, the youngest just 7 months old, but it's also filled with purpose and intention. 

My journey into candle-making began when I realized that many candles on the market contained harmful ingredients, after a bad experience with a trendy but toxic candle that gave me a sinus headache and a fun rash that took months to clear up. In frustration, I began researching the candle industry and my findings turned my frustration into anger, then determination.  I wanted something safer for my family. As I fine tuned my candles, everyone I shared them with became almost more excited about them than I was and I realized that the candles I had created were worth sharing with others. 

 Now, while I’m a stay-at-home mom and all my energy is invested in keeping my family alive, I used to work in the wedding industry as a wedding consultant and enjoyed creative endeavors like bridal floral arranging, wedding coordinating, and planning. As I started this business my creative side has breathed new life once again as I endeavor to curate environments that reflect personal style while enhancing the warmth and connection that makes a house a home —all while creating candles whose beauty is more than skin deep.

Beyond candles, my life is a mix of many roles. I’m a college student studying psychology with a focus on crisis and trauma counseling (graduating in Spring 2025!) and have a deep passion for supporting survivors of human trafficking. This mission has driven me for the last decade, and I’m working toward using my education to make an impact in this area.

I also run a blog called “The Graceful Dame,” which currently has just been recipes. I do intend to expand into other areas of running a house well, eventually. For instance, I’m considering creating some content about turning a profit in your home as a stay-at-home mom (say no to the mlm’s, ladies). But it’s gonna be a minute on that because I have a lot going on at the moment already! 

Oh, here’s a random fun fact: my husband and I grew up in the Amish and Mennonite communities of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This background, in some ways, shaped my love for simple, elegant, and thoughtful living. I have a rich heritage of women who knew the arts of homemaking well enough to give the Proverbs 31 woman a run for her money. But enough about me already! 

I hope The Modern Sonoran helps you craft a home filled with warmth, comfort, and style, while also giving you peace of mind knowing you’re choosing products made with care. Welcome to this journey with me!