Kylie Tragardh of Candle Warmers Australia has been named as a finalist in the Retail Business awards for the AusMumpreneur Awards.
Created by sisters Peace Mitchell and Katy Garner, the AusMumpreneur Awards celebrate the achievements of Australian mums in business across a wide range of categories, including business excellence, product innovation, customer service, sustainability, and technology.
“There are so many incredible women right across Australia balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, and these awards are a chance to share their stories and celebrate their success,” adds Katy Garner.
This business began 12 years ago in my garage, with my newborn daughter beside me. My motivation was a love for home fragrances and an unwavering commitment to safety, especially with young children.
This personal mission quickly expanded. I realised many mums shared my desire for work-life freedom, wanting to be present for every cherished milestone – from first steps to graduations. So, I began supplying our products to small businesses. This enabled women to leave full-time roles, pursuing dreams while prioritising family.
Today, Candle Warmers Australia has generated over $3 million in sales and cultivated a vibrant, supportive community, celebrated annually with our own business awards. After 12 years building this business while raising five children, I believe receiving an AusMumpreneur award would be a powerful affirmation of this journey, inspiring other busy mums to pursue passions and build legacies.
Kylie Tragardh is excited to be named a finalist in the AusMumpreneur Awards and is proud of her achievements in the last 12 months, particularly our direct customer engagement and loyalty have surged remarkably. This success is powerfully evidenced by achieving a bronze award with Judge.me, recognized within the top 10% of stores, and consistently trending. These accolades underscore how deeply our dedication to providing the finest home fragrance experience resonates, driving our continued momentum.
There are many benefits to balancing business and motherhood as Kylie Tragardh explains, by running a successful business, mothers become powerful role models, demonstrating hard work, determination, creativity, and the ability to pursue one's passions to their children. This can inspire an entrepreneurial spirit in the next generation.
It can be challenging to be a successful business woman whilst raising a family and Kylie Tragardh gives this advice for others thinking about starting their own enterprise."Don't wait for perfect; start now with what you have and learn as you go. Your unique perspective as a mother is your superpower – let it guide you in building a business that genuinely serves others while fulfilling your own dreams."
Thanks to support from Business Events Victoria, this year’s prestigious event will be held in regional Victoria for the first time, showcasing Geelong as a thriving hub for innovation, creativity, and women-led business.
“This event offers women an opportunity to find connection, support and inspiration while also celebrating their success with others who understand the journey of business and parenting.” explains co-founder Peace Mitchell.
The AusMumpreneur Conference includes keynote speakers, networking sessions, workshops, and panel discussions focused on leadership, visibility, and business growth. It is designed to support women at all stages of business—whether just starting out or scaling nationally.
The event will culminate in a glamorous awards gala at the AusMumpreneur Conference on 11 - 12 August in Geelong, where the 2025 AusMumpreneur Award winners will be announced.
Read more at www.ausmumpreneur.com.
