Simon's Soapbox and BU Candles by Jacob

We met Jacob and Karen (IG @bucandlesbyjacob) on Instagram way back in our early days. Their business is BU Candles by Jacob and they make soy candles. While Simon and I generally stay put here in the Lower Mainland, Karen and Jacob travel widely.

We got to meet them in person in the summer of 2022 at the first We Belong Market downtown Vancouver. We went for ice cream and walked by Canada Place talking sharing our experiences of building a business.

Later that year, we got together to sell our products at the New West Farmer's Holiday Market in December of 2022. This was an outdoor market, and while BC boasts mild weather, it is hard to love the experience standing outside on the concrete for 6 hours when it is 6 degrees Celsius. But we chatted about meaningful employment for people with disabilities, different ideas and possibilities. Based in Ontario, Jacob and Karen hoped to set up a store or cafe. 

All set up for the New West Farmer's Holiday market 2022

Taking a break - December 2022

We started doing a soap and candle gift set which you can find in our shop.

Simon and Jacob at the DSRF Run UP 2023

321 Summit September 2025

And now Jacob and Karen have built a new thing! BU Cafe and Market is now open. This cafe and store front at 77 Lakeshore Road West in Oakville Ontario highlights the work and employment possibilities for adults with developmental disabilities. We are so excited for this amazing new step. We wish we could go and visit. If you are in the area, go check it out and tell them we sent you!

Read more about BU Cafe and Market here

See BU Candles website here