Mitzi Quintas-Cruz is a young artist and entrepreneur on a mission to expand her Mexican-American culture in Cape Girardeau while making connections with people along the way. A senior at Cape Central High School, Quintas-Cruz says her art — homemade candles she pours in imported pottery from Mexico — helps her stay grounded, a reminder of who she is and where her family comes from.
Her business, Candle Cruz, which began as a school assignment, has already gained traction in the community. This summer, Old Town Cape named Quintas-Cruz one of three winners of Youth Entrepreneurship Day at the Cape Girardeau Riverfront Market. The $500 grant allowed her to purchase additional pottery, wax and supplies, which she will use to prepare for local craft fairs this fall.
Here, Quintas-Cruz discusses the inspiration behind her art, the process for making candles and her plans for the future.
Amanda Flinn: How did you get started making candles?
Mitzi Quintas-Cruz: I really like arts and crafts, painting. There are times [when I was younger], I would win competitions for art. My junior year, I was taking a year-long entrepreneurship class [at Cape Central High School] with Ms. Khot and had to create a business plan. I thought about painting flowers on hats, but while doing research, I was inspired by a lady on social media who was making candles with dried flowers on top. I remembered some pottery from a Mexican store I had visited in St. Louis and decided to combine the ideas and make candles.
The pottery is beautiful. Can you tell me more about it?
It comes from Oaxaca, Mexico, where my family is from. There’s a middle man that picks it up from Mexico and brings it here. My ma got us connected. Twelve mugs come in a box; the bowls have 18. I also get salsa dishes. Once the candle is burned, the pottery can be washed and used.
Have you met the people who make the pottery?
No, but my goal is to know the people personally. I was born and raised in Cape Girardeau, but my grandparents and cousins live in Mexico. Two years ago, I stayed there for two months. I want to go back and make connections.
After you get the pottery, what’s the process for making the candles?
I buy supplies from Hobby Lobby: unscented soy wax shavings, wicks, molds for the flowers on top, scents and dyes. I stick the wicks to the bottom of the pottery with a wooden rod to hold them in place, then melt the wax on the stove and pour. It takes a few hours to set. One bag of wax makes three to four candles, but I make large batches at a time. The flower molds hold the scent and color. Each layer sets for 15 to 20 minutes. My favorite is blue raspberry.
I bet that’s popular! How did you become interested in entrepreneurship?
My class at school really inspired me. I started saving up money, writing down ideas and doing research. I applied [to be a vendor] for the farmers’ market and attended the first one on May 4. I was nervous about selling. I didn’t know how people in Cape would react to what I had. But the first day, a lot of people gave compliments. It was a great market. I feel a connection to entrepreneurship. And I’m wanting more for my family, to be able to give back.
Entering the Youth Entrepreneurship Day was a big step. What was that like?
The judges would go to each booth, look at what you sell and how you present them. I knew the money would help me expand my business. It helped me be confident to sell something from my culture and to know I’m on the right path, that people support me. It feels great to know that I’m changing, growing and doing something new.
Yay! Congrats again. Aside from the fall craft fair, what is next for you?
I’m taking a marketing class. After graduation, I will stay in town and attend SEMO. I want to go into business administration and become a loan officer. Business is people. I want to connect here locally.
You’re definitely an inspiration to me. How do you hope to inspire others?
I want Mexican Americans to know that even if you’re not born in Mexico, you are connected to that culture. It’s good to show and express your family background.
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