Donor Spotlight: Milk Jar’s Mission-Driven Journey

At Skills Society, we’re inspired by organizations that share our values of inclusion, collaboration, and creating meaningful opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities to contribute their gifts to community. Milk Jar, a Calgary-based candle company, is doing just that—redefining workplaces to be more equitable and purpose-driven.

Founded in 2016 by Holly Singer, Milk Jar began with a simple idea: to make candles and give back to the community. What started in Holly’s kitchen has grown into a thriving business that employs individuals with disabilities, fosters a supportive workplace culture, and donates to causes that align with their values.

The image features the "Milk Jar" logo in bold, black, retro-style text.

This blog draws from a conversation with Rae, Milk Jar’s Inclusion and Wholesale Manager, where they shared the story of Milk Jar’s journey, their approach to inclusive employment, and why their mission connects so strongly with ours at Skills Society.

From Candles to Community Impact

Milk Jar didn’t set out to be just another candle company. Holly’s background in kinesiology and her experiences supporting people with disabilities shaped a deeper purpose for her business: creating opportunities for meaningful work while giving back to the community.

Since its inception, Milk Jar has donated $1 from every product sold, raising more than $350,000 to date. While they started by supporting youth with disabilities, their focus shifted as they noticed a gap in support for adults after they graduate from school. Rae explained how that realization shaped their work:

"We really wanted to focus on ensuring we were creating employment opportunities for folks with disabilities because that’s where we’ve learned the biggest gap is."

Today, Milk Jar operates out of a 5,400-square-foot space (soon to grow to 7,000 square feet) and continues to build on its mission to create meaningful opportunities for people while contributing to a more inclusive world.

A Milk Jar team member smiles proudly while holding a tray of freshly poured candles. They’re wearing a pink shirt and a colourful tie-dye apron, standing in front of a soft green garage door.

What Inclusion Looks Like at Milk Jar

Milk Jar employs a team where 30-50% of staff members identify as having disabilities and takes an intentional approach to making their workplace accessible and empowering. Visual task boards, color-coded labels, and a buddy system are just a few tools they use to support independence and collaboration.

Rae emphasized that creating an inclusive workplace is a learning process, not a one-time achievement:

"It’s not a checklist; it’s a practice every day. Things go really great one day, and then the next, it doesn’t. So you kind of have to pivot and try something new."

This intentionality has led to transformative experiences for their team. One employee, initially hesitant to talk at work, gained the confidence to present at a public event. Another has found such a strong sense of belonging at Milk Jar that they’ve decided to host their wedding at the facility.

A Shared Purpose

When Milk Jar learned about Skills Society, the alignment between our missions was clear. Rae noted that projects like Action Lab and CommuniTEA Infusion stood out because of their focus on building tangible, day-to-day skills that empower individuals with disabilities.

"We loved that your projects really set employees up for success to gain livable knowledge. It’s tangible, it’s day-to-day, and it really resonated with what we hope to spread through our mission."

This shared purpose led Milk Jar to donate to Skills Society, supporting initiatives that open up meaningful opportunities for people in our communities.

Broadening the Impact

Milk Jar’s work doesn’t stop at their team. They’re active in sharing what they’ve learned, partnering with organizations like Skipping Stone to promote inclusion more broadly. Proceeds from a collaborative candle, for example, funded 30 workshops for other businesses, equipping them with tools to create more equitable workplaces.

As their business grows globally, with stockists in Europe, the United States, and Australia, Milk Jar continues to find ways to make inclusion central to their operations. Their “Inviting Spaces Fund” channels donations back into communities where their products are sold, expanding the reach of their mission.

At Skills Society, we believe that inclusion happens in part through intentional choices and collaborative action. Milk Jar’s approach reminds us that real change starts by creating spaces where people can contribute meaningfully and feel valued.

We’re proud to share Milk Jar’s story and excited about the ways we can continue to work together. We give our heartfelt thanks for their generous support of Skills Society.

If you’re interested in learning more about Milk Jar’s work visit milkjar.ca.

Two Milk Jar staff members work together in the production area. One uses a torch to finish candles filled with golden wax, while the other looks on. Both are wearing aprons and masks, surrounded by neatly organized supplies under warm string lights.

A Milk Jar employee sits at a table assembling candle boxes. They’re wearing a green shirt, a pink headband, and glasses, smiling warmly at the camera. Stacked shelves filled with boxes and supplies line the background.