Dearborn Residents Launch 'Make Things Better' Campaign on Kickstarter

Two lifelong Dearborn residents are on a mission to bring jobs back to Michigan.

Kelly Gheesling and Sarah Bryan, who own and operate the Dearborn-based business Michigan Scents, LLC recently announced plans to expand the store's offerings with the production of the only "Made in the USA" petal warmer, a popular wick-less candle warming accessory.

"With all of the talk in our current economy about bringing production and manufacturing back to the United States, we knew that now was the time to do something," Gheesling said. "Every little bit counts, and we want to do our part. We are the spirit of Detroit."

But the girls can't do it alone. That's why the duo recently reached out to the community with the launch of their "Make Things Better Campaign" on Kickstarter.com. The website is a popular crowd-funding platform where companies and artists can raise funding for grass roots efforts.

"Competitors sell more than $600 million dollars in warmers a year, all made in China. We are excited to bring a portion of that back home, and Kickstarter is a great platform to get the community involved in this effort to Make Things Better," Gheesling said.

Since launching the campaign on March 15, Bryan said the outpouring of support from the local community, as well as from customers across the country, has been phenomenal.

"We're already at one-third of our fundraising goal and we still have 20 days left in the campaign," she said. "It's amazing to watch the donations come in. You know you are going to receive the support from your family and friends, but to see other people come out in support of what we're doing is enlightening."

Funding for the project will help the women design a prototype warmer with the help of a Dexter ceramic artist.

"He offers custom molds, so we're fortunate we were able to find someone right here in Michigan that could offer that service as well," Gheesling said.

If the project meets its fundraising goal and receives funding from Kickstarter, the women said production of the petal warmer will begin in the summer, with a target release date of August or September.

"We're already talking with wholesale and retail clients interested in the product," Gheesling said. "Our product has the potential to bring new jobs to Dearborn as demand for Michigan-made products grows."

Photos and a video depicting the campaign are available on the "Make Things Better" Kickstarter webpage.

Reward levels are available to supporters, and include everything from "Make It In The USA" T-shirts, to being the first to receive an electric petal warmer. The campaign will run through April 10.

For more information visit https://michiganscents.com/.