Meet the drag artist turned entrepreneur changing the world one candle at a time

There's a certain magic to the light of a candle. The way it flickers, dances, and fills a room with warmth. There's an added blanket of magic this time of year when candles light up our rooms for the holiday season. The more scented candles, the better, as they fill our spaces with scents that hint at joy, camaraderie, or even a memory of a long-deceased relative baking us our favorite holiday desserts.

Hours before chatting with Logan Joseph, the former drag diva known as Logan Hardcore, I lit one of their latest candles from their Radiant Light Candle Company: an almond biscotti-scented candle. The aroma didn't unlock a specific memory – and you wouldn't want me baking in the kitchen – but it made my apartment smell warm and welcoming.

As the flicker of the flame danced, I also wondered how someone transitioned from a stage's sparkle to a flame's steady glow.

For over 14 years, Logan dominated stages in NYC and Fire Island, draped in sequins and serving sass to adoring audiences. But life, much like a poorly-timed outfit reveal, sometimes demands a change. After getting sober four years ago, Logan traded the spotlight for the softer, more intimate glow of candlelight. Today, he's the proud creator of Radiant Light, a brand as personal as it is illuminating.

"I always treated drag as a party, not a business," Logan confessed. He credits his dear friend and Drag Raceroyalty, Bianco Del Rio, for teaching him to look at drag differently. "Bianca showed me that drag is entrepeneurship. You have to hustle...it's what I've brought into candle-making."

Logan's candles aren't just scented wax in jars; memories and emotions are poured and solidified into these matte vessels. Each one feels as though it carries a piece of his soul. The aptly named Radiant Light isn't just a business but a reminder – a philosophy – of the inner glow that keeps us going through life's darkest times.

"I lost both my parents and knew the depths of addiction," Logan shared. "Radiant Light is about finding that little flame inside when it feels like the walls are caving in."

And the scents are remarkable! I can't praise enough his Almond Biscotti, but there are so many others. Every candle has a story, from his mother Mary's lavender and white sage to his cowboy father's crackling wood wick. Logan even made one inspired by his daughter, Chloe, complete with wax-melt hearts and iridescent glitter, tucked in a holographic jar.

It's youthful, vibrant, and, much like the young Chloe, hard to keep up with.

So, what's Logan's creative process like in curating these scents? "I have a fragrance oil addiction," he laughs. "I start with what I love, then think about how to make it special. You won't find my candles in stores because they have that little something extra, like a Christmas tree scent with berries and sparkling cherry." Beyond the fragrances, Logan's candles spark something even more profound.

Connection.

At a market in White Plains, he displayed a cheeky "Indicted" candle following Donald Trump's 2023 cases. One of the shoppers, initially unimpressed, returned days later to buy gifts after a conversation changed her perspective. "I never thought candles would humanize the queer community, but here we are," Logan mused. "People see me, talk to me, and realize we're not the caricatures they see in the media."

But life as a queer entrepreneur is not a not-so-queer-friendly world isn't always easy. Logan, who grew up in "a small MAGA town" in Arizona before MAGA was a thing, knows this firsthand. He endured death threats and arson attempts on his home yet never dimmed his authentic self.

His resilience shines brighter than any candle.

Despite the challenges, Logan's entrepreneurial journey has been refreshingly smooth. He attributes his success to his drag background, which hones his ability to connect with people even in high-pressure environments. "If you can navigate a packed nightclub, a busy holiday market is nothing," he joked.

As for what's next? Logan launched the Radiant Ember VIP Club this month, a monthly subscription for die-hard candle lovers. Members will get exclusive scents, voting rights on new ideas, and birthday surprises. It's a community as warm and inviting as the candles themselves.

So what advice does he have for budding queer entrepreneurs? "Just start," he says frankly, "If you wait for perfection, you'll never launch. Passion and authenticity will shine through, and people will feel that."

From the drag stages to the comforting glow of candles, Logan Joseph's journey is one of transformation, determination, and radiance. His story reminds us that no matter how dark it gets, there's always a light waiting to be found.

And sometimes, it smells like white sage and lavender.

From now until December 3rd, readers can get 25% off plus free shipping at
Radiant Light Candle Company by using the code OUT25 at checkout!

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