Meet Lori

I'm Lori, the founder of The Good Llama Co., established in 2019. What began as a lifelong love of candles has grown into a small business where I get to combine my fascination with nature, fragrances, crystals, and people.

My love of candlelight started early. While other little girls were dressing their Barbie dolls, I was busy mashing Wonder Bread into communion wafers, pouring grape juice into a pewter goblet, and lighting candles to play church. My only parishioner was my little sister, who attended reluctantly but seemed happy enough with the refreshments. I also enjoyed concocting mysterious food potions, which I confidently administered to her, promising they would grant her greatest wishes. She survived.

I was equally fascinated by the flickering candles at our dinner table, often dipping my fingers into the warm wax while the adults talked. When I received a candle-making kit for my 10th birthday, I was hooked.

I've always been curious about people, too. As a child, I had a bit of a staring problem. I'd become so fascinated by strangers that my mother frequently had to drag me away by the hand, scolding me for being rude. I prefer to think I was simply honing my people-watching skills. That curiosity eventually led me to study psychology at Boston College, followed by careers in teaching and as a middle school librarian. These days, I put those finely tuned observation skills to work helping customers discover their perfect candle.

I've also been drawn to the spiritual side of life for as long as I can remember. I've been reading tarot cards since I was 12, and my appreciation for crystals and the natural world eventually found its way into my candle-making.

When I'm not pouring candles or searching for new fragrances, you'll find me traveling, skiing, cooking, reading, talking on the phone, or organizing just about anything I can get my hands on.

I love creating custom candles, experimenting with new scents, and watching The Good Llama continue to evolve. But my favorite part of this business is connecting with the people who enjoy what I make.

I'm so glad you're here!

Lori

The Good Llama Co. was founded in 2019 with a simple belief: sometimes the smallest things bring us the greatest pleasure.  There's something timeless about the flicker of a candle in a dimly lit room. It connects us to a simpler time, when our ancestors relied on fire for warmth, light, and everyday living. 

Even today, the gentle glow of a candle has a way of soothing the spirit, allowing the stresses of the day to fade as its fragrance quietly fills the room.

Inspired by nature and a desire to make thoughtful choices, our candles are hand-poured in small batches using 100% American-grown soy wax, cotton wicks, and carefully selected fragrances. Each candle is poured into recycled Spanish glass, reflecting our commitment to creating beautiful products while being mindful of the environment.

Some of our candles also contain hand-selected crystals, adding another meaningful connection to the natural world.

For me, candlelight is more than fragrance or decoration. It's a simple pleasure, a quiet moment, and a reminder that we don't always need more to feel content.

That's what I hope The Good Llama brings into your home: a little warmth, a little beauty, and a moment to slow down.

Thank you for supporting our small business.

Lori Byman
Founder, The Good Llama Co.
Topsfield, Massachusetts

I've always been an intuitive, empathic child with an overwhelming need to help people, whether they wanted my help or not.

I also had a staring problem.

My mother frequently found herself dragging me away from complete strangers, mortified by my unabashed people-watching. I wasn't trying to be rude. I was simply fascinated by people and apparently hadn't yet mastered the art of subtlety.

That fascination eventually led me to Boston College, where I earned a degree in psychology. I later spent years working in education, including as a middle school librarian in Amesbury, Massachusetts. In hindsight, I've essentially spent my entire life studying people. Some of them even knew about it.

My childhood interests were a little unconventional, too.

While other girls were busy dressing their Barbies, I was mashing Wonder Bread into homemade communion wafers, pouring grape juice into a pewter goblet, and lighting candles for my very own church services. My congregation consisted of exactly one reluctant parishioner: my younger sister, who showed up primarily for the refreshments.

When I wasn't conducting religious services, I was concocting mysterious potions from whatever I could find in the kitchen and persuading my sister to drink them, assuring her that her greatest wishes would come true.

What's With the Llama?

It's a question we've been asked more times than we can count. And considering we're a candle company, it's a fair question.

Believe it or not, naming The Good Llama Co. took nine months. Apparently, naming a candle company requires roughly the same amount of time as having a baby.

But when we landed on The Good Llama, we knew we'd found our name.

Llamas have so many qualities we admire. They're gentle and calming, spirited and playful, fiercely protective of their own, and just quirky enough to keep things interesting. They've even been known to make wonderful therapy animals.

There's something wonderfully magical about llamas. They don't take themselves too seriously, and we like to think any day that includes a llama is automatically a little better.

At the heart of it, we wanted a company that reflected those same qualities: kindness, individuality, a sense of humor, and a little unexpected joy.

Besides, who doesn't love a good llama?

What's With the Crystals?

I've always been fascinated by rocks. Their colors, their formations, their history, and the meanings people have attached to them for thousands of years. Some people collect shoes. I collect rocks. We all have our priorities.

Throughout history, crystals have been associated with everything from love and protection to courage, clarity, and good fortune. Whether you believe in their energetic properties or simply appreciate their natural beauty, there's something undeniably captivating about these little treasures from the earth.

For me, adding crystals to candles was a natural pairing of two things I love. Each crystal is thoughtfully selected for its traditional symbolism and its connection to the candle's fragrance or intention.

Do I expect a piece of rose quartz to magically solve your love life? Probably not. But if it inspires a little more love, kindness, or self-reflection, I'm all for it.

A beautiful candle, a little intention, and a touch of nature's magic. That's really what it's all about.

We're not like all the Others

At The Good Llama Co., we believe the ingredients matter just as much as the fragrance.

Our candles are hand-poured in small batches using 100% American-grown soy wax, cotton wicks, and carefully selected, phthalate-free fragrance oils and essential oils. We use recycled Spanish glass jars from San Miguel, chosen for their simple beauty and ability to be reused or recycled.

Soy wax offers a slow, even burn, allowing you to enjoy your candle longer. Every candle is thoughtfully made with attention to quality, simplicity, and the environment.

Inspired by Nature

Our fragrances take their inspiration from the natural world, from fresh herbs and blooming gardens to wooded trails and ocean breezes.

Select candles also feature carefully chosen crystals, bringing an additional touch of nature and meaning to each creation.

Fragrances with Character

We believe a fragrance should complement a room, not overwhelm it. That's why we carefully select, blend, and test our fragrances to create scents that feel familiar, inviting, and distinctive.

Our collection changes with the seasons, and we're always exploring new combinations. Whether it's the earthy scent of a vine-ripened tomato or the quiet comfort of a woodland retreat, each candle is designed to capture a little piece of the world around us.

Thoughtfully made. Naturally inspired. Unmistakably The Good Llama.

Small Tins, Big Occasions

Weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, retirement parties, graduations, birthdays, holidays, corporate events — you name it, we've probably made a candle for it.

Our custom candle tins are anything but ordinary. Each order is created specifically for you, from the fragrance to the personalized label. Choose your favorite scent, a photograph or special wording for the lid, and the size that works best for your occasion.

And when we say custom, we mean custom. I've been known to spend days perfecting a design that's going on a two-ounce tin. Is that a little obsessive? Perhaps. But I believe the smallest details can make the biggest impression.

Whether you're celebrating a milestone, thanking your employees, or looking for party favors your guests will actually want to take home, we'd love to create something memorable.

Custom Candle Tin Pricing

• 2 oz. tin — $5.00
• 4 oz. tin — $8.00
• 6 oz. tin — $12.00

Every tin is thoughtfully designed, hand-poured, and made just for you.

Have an idea? Let's make it happen!