Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy And Dean Ernst.
Tracy and Dean, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Essential Candy began as a simple act of care. During a close friend’s chemotherapy treatments, I felt divinely guided to create a botanical lozenge that could help ease some of the side effects he was experiencing. With a background in culinary arts and more than 20 years as a certified yoga instructor, I had long believed in intentional living and the supportive role of real plants—principles rooted in my yoga practice and vegetarian lifestyle.
What started as something made for one person quickly grew into something larger. I spent nearly a year listening and learning within cancer support groups, hearing directly from individuals about what they were going through and how even small comforts could make a difference. In the beginning, the lozenges were never meant to be sold—they were simply shared to help.
Encouraged by the response, we tested a few small farmers’ markets, and in September 2019, Essential Candy was officially formed. In early 2020, we signed a lease for our first facility, only to be met with the challenges of the pandemic, which delayed our ability to open for nearly a year. By late 2021, we were fully operational, and in 2023, we felt called to bring the business to South Carolina.
In April 2024, we opened our manufacturing facility in Easley, South Carolina—a community that embodies the values we care deeply about: connection, resilience, and supporting one another. Today, Essential Candy is an FDA-registered, GMP-certified, woman-owned company, proudly Gluten-Free and Vegan Certified, with USDA Organic certification underway.
Together with my husband and business partner, Dean, we continue to grow the company while staying rooted in our Candy With A Purpose mission—giving back to individuals and organizations in need. No matter how much Essential Candy evolves, it will always be guided by the same intention it started with: creating products rooted in care, community, and kindness.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road, and many of the challenges shaped who we are today. One of the earliest hurdles came right after we signed the lease for our first facility in Florida back in March 2020. Within weeks, the pandemic brought everything to a halt. Our equipment was delayed overseas, timelines disappeared, and we were paying for a space we couldn’t yet operate in. It was almost a year before we were able to open our doors.
Beyond the logistical challenges, there were emotional ones as well. This business was born out of walking alongside people during some of the hardest moments of their lives. Listening within cancer support groups carried a deep responsibility, and we felt strongly that we needed to honor the trust people placed in us by doing things the right way.
As the company grew, so did the complexity—regulations, certifications, and the realities of scaling a mission-driven business. Moving personally was hard, but relocating the business to South Carolina was even harder. We had to build out an entirely new production space, move and reinstall all of our equipment, pass inspections, secure certifications, navigate delays, and solve countless unseen challenges—all while ensuring we had enough inventory previously made to support ongoing orders.
There were moments that tested our faith and resilience, but with prayer, perseverance, and the unwavering support of family, friends, and the South Carolina community, we were able to make it happen. It wasn’t easy, but those challenges strengthened our resolve and reaffirmed the importance of community, purpose, and staying grounded in why we started. Today, we’re deeply grateful to call South Carolina home.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Essential Candy is a woman-owned wellness brand creating plant-powered lozenges made with organic botanicals and real ingredients. We specialize in thoughtfully crafted lozenges designed to support everyday wellness, offering a comforting, intentional alternative to traditional products that often rely on artificial additives or fillers.
What sets Essential Candy apart is not just what we make, but why we make it. The brand was founded by Tracy during a deeply personal season of caring for a friend going through chemotherapy. From the beginning, our products were rooted in listening—learning directly from people about what they needed and how small, plant-based comforts could support them through difficult moments. That same intention still guides everything we do today.
We produce our lozenges in small batches at our FDA-registered, GMP-certified facility in Easley, South Carolina. We’re proudly Woman-Owned Certified, Gluten-Free and Vegan Certified, and currently working toward USDA Organic certification. Every product is made with care, transparency, and respect for both the people we serve and the ingredients we use.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is our Candy With A Purpose mission. Giving back has always been part of who we are—whether that’s donating products to individuals facing health challenges or supporting organizations that care for them. Even as we’ve grown nationally, we’ve stayed grounded in community, faith, and the belief that business can be a force for good.
What we hope readers take away is that Essential Candy is about more than wellness products. It’s about intention, kindness, and connection—creating something meaningful with real ingredients, supporting people in their daily lives, and staying rooted in the values that brought us here.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
We don’t see our journey as being driven by luck as much as by timing, faith, and perseverance. There have certainly been moments that could be labeled “bad luck”—the pandemic hitting just after signing our first facility lease, major equipment delays, and the unexpected challenges that came with relocating and rebuilding the business in South Carolina. At the time, those moments felt overwhelming and uncertain.
But looking back, many of those obstacles became redirections. They forced us to slow down, listen more carefully, and build the business with greater intention. What may have looked like setbacks often created space for growth, clarity, and stronger foundations.
If there’s been “good luck,” it’s been the people we’ve been surrounded by—supportive family, trusted partners, and a strong, encouraging community here in South Carolina. More than luck, we believe it’s been faith, prayer, and staying aligned with our purpose that carried us through. When we focused on doing the right thing and serving people well, the right doors seemed to open at the right time.
Pricing:
- Essential Candy lozenges are available through our online store and select retail partners.
- Pricing varies by blend, format, and bag size.
- Our products are designed to be accessible for everyday wellness.
- Pricing reflects the use of organic ingredients, small-batch production, and certified manufacturing standards.
- We aim to balance quality, intention, and value while remaining approachable for our customers.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://essentialcandy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/essentialcandy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/essentialcandies/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/essential-candy
- Twitter: https://x.com/@candyessential
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@essentialcandy
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@essentialcandy
