An adventure turned into Masters Hand Candles

Masters Hand Candles, the many items on display along with Susie and the chocolates and employees. Photos courtesy of Masters Hand Candles.

“It has been a fun adventure,” stated Susie Robison, owner of Masters Hand Candles.

Susie and her children, Nicole and Caleb, started the business five years ago, selling candles.

The journey began quite sometime before that, however, when they were living in Falls City, NE. “It all happened by accident. My ex-husband left 13 years ago. I didn’t want to leave my kids to get a job,” Susie said. “We started making candles. It was for fun. People started liking them.” They started with a case of wax and 44 jars. “Every time we sold a candle, we put the money back into the business. It grew slowly over time,” Susie stated. They began doing fundraisers. “We didn’t know how, but we learned. They were for churches and organizations,” Susie said. There are currently 60 different scented candles.

The family saw that the old Nordstrom building south of Tekamah was for sale and decided to take a chance. “We didn’t think we would fill the entire building up, but we have,” Susie stated.

There is now jewelry, purses and home décor for sale along with a flower shop that also handles funerals and weddings and a chocolate factory. “We make our own candy. We have about 50 different kinds. They aren’t all for sale at one time,” Susie said.

There is also a tearoom that is open by appointment only. “We have bookings almost every day. A three-course meal is served, which includes two choices of soup, the main entrée and dessert. A drink is also included,” Susie stated.

The business is definitely a family affair. Susie is remarried to Scott Robison. “He handles the candle fundraisers,” Susie said. Her kids also help out, although Nicole is married and lives in Lincoln. There are also several other employees that contribute to the success of the business.

“Karen Jackson sets up the front room. She went to college for design and does a great job,” Susie stated.

Kathy Mussack handles the cooking. “She is amazing,” Susie said.

The florist is Di Ruwe. “She is very good with people,” Susie stated.

There are also a group of girls that come from school to help out wherever they are needed. “They trade off days. They make the chocolate, price items, etc.,” Susie said.

Susie and her children made all the structures in the building. “We stay as debt free as we can,” Susie said.

Susie has goals for the future of the family business. “We want to have the biggest Easter Egg Hunt in Nebraska,” Susie stated. How many Easter Eggs would this entail? “10,000 is my goal. That should make us the largest,” Susie stated. “This would be self-proclaimed, but I don’t know of anyone else doing such a large one.”

They have much more than an Easter Egg Hunt. “We have pony rides, a castle, train rides, face painting and concession stands,” Susie said.

The family has a house in Decatur. “There is also a house here, so we are here more,” Susie stated.

Masters Hand Candles is having a Christmas Open House from today, Nov. 1^st-Sun., Nov. 3^rd. from 9:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

They are located just south of Tekamah on highway 75 in Tekamah. Call 402-374-2003 for further information.