January Business of the Month: Lighthouse Candle Factory
Lighthouse Candle Factory
The Kernersville Chamber of Commerce is proud to recognize the Lighthouse Candle Factory as our Business of the Month for January 2026. This honor not only highlights a beloved hometown business but also celebrates the inspiring leadership of its owner, Rebecca Overman, whose passion and determination have ushered the company into a new era.
Originally founded in 1997 by local artisan Betty Burger—affectionately known as “Ms. Betty”—the Lighthouse Candle Factory began with a simple frustration: store-bought candles didn’t burn well, didn’t last long, and didn’t offer the fragrance experience she envisioned. Determined to create something better, Ms. Betty perfected a custom wax blend and a proprietary dual-pour process, using only the highest quality fragrance oils. The result became known across the Triad as “The Perfect Candle”—even-burning, deeply fragrant, and exceptionally long-lasting. She later expanded her offerings to include custom oils and her popular Odor Be Gone sprays, exclusive to the Lighthouse Candle Factory brand.
After Ms. Betty’s passing in February 2023, the future of the shop was uncertain. But for Rebecca—a Kernersville native and longtime customer—the thought of the doors closing and Ms. Betty’s formulas disappearing was unimaginable. In an almost fate-filled moment, after purchasing a shelf full of her and her mother’s favorite candles, she found herself asking a simple but life-shifting question: Why not me? One week later, supported wholeheartedly by her family, Rebecca purchased the business and reopened the doors on April 6, 2023.
Rebecca credits her family—her parents, brother, cousins Katelyn and Nancy, and honorary team member Brenda—as the backbone of the Lighthouse Candle Factory’s rebirth. Together, they have honored Ms. Betty’s legacy while infusing the business with fresh energy, modern branding, and a renewed commitment to community connection. Rebecca jokes that she lives a “Hallmark-style life,” and that warmth, creativity, and intentionality radiate through every candle and every customer interaction.
Under her leadership, the Lighthouse Candle Factory has expanded well beyond retail. The shop now offers hands-on candle-making classes, partnerships with local creatives, custom fragrance blends for personal and corporate clients, and a vibrant social media presence. The business has also gained broader recognition through local TV features and statewide competitions, including the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce’s “Coolest Things” showcase.
Today, the Lighthouse Candle Factory stands as a shining example of what happens when passion meets opportunity. Rebecca took a legacy, preserved its roots, and elevated it with new vision. Her journey reminds us that some of the most meaningful ventures begin with a simple question—and the courage to answer it.
Congratulations to Rebecca and the Lighthouse Candle Factory team on being named the Kernersville Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month. Your light continues to brighten our community.