[Southpoint Spotlight] From Barber to Boxyard: How Kindred Spirit Is Pouring Light into South Durham

When COVID-19 shuttered businesses across the country, longtime barber Monique Mackey didn’t just sit still – she lit a match. What began as a quarantine hobby with her son soon evolved into Kindred Spirit, a handcrafted candle company rooted in Southern nostalgia and built on community care. Today, she’s pouring more than wax. She’s pouring heart at her cozy, custom-scented pop-up inside Boxyard RTP.

We caught up with Monique Mackey to learn how a spark during uncertain times turned into one of South Durham’s most soul-soothing small businesses.

Southpoint Access: What inspired you to start your business, and how did you end up at Boxyard RTP?

Monique Mackey: What inspired me to open my business was COVID. In 2020, I had been a registered barber in North Carolina for 19 years. So during this uncertain period when I was out of work, I kept busy with finding a hobby. My son (Adrian Moody) and I would work on this together while he was home during this time too.

I ended up at Boxyard due to social media. I saw something, applied for it, but didn’t get it. Months later, I received an email and now I’m here.

Southpoint Access: What makes your product, service, or experience unique to the Triangle – or even just to Boxyard?

Monique Mackey: What makes us unique at Kindred Spirit is we’re not just selling candles – we’re crafting comfort. Rooted right here in the Triangle, our scents are inspired by Southern nostalgia, family traditions, and the soul of North Carolina. From our eco-friendly refillery (a Boxyard exclusive!) to our custom candle-making bar where you can create your own signature scent, every experience is personal, warm, and rooted in home. We blend creativity, sustainability, and community and we do it with heart. Whether you’re refilling a favorite product, engraving a candle for a loved one, or just stopping by to inhale joy, there’s nothing quite like the magic you’ll find with us at Boxyard.

Southpoint Access: How do you engage with the local community, and what does being part of South Durham mean to your business?

Monique Mackey: Community is the heartbeat of Kindred Spirit. Being based in South Durham means we get to create with our neighbors, not just for them. We host candle-making classes, pop-ups, and creative events that bring people together from families and friend groups to first-timers exploring the Triangle. We also collaborate with other small local businesses and nonprofits. We donate products to community causes, and make it a priority to source supplies from other North Carolina makers whenever possible.

Southpoint Access: What’s something people might not know about your business, your team, or your process, but should?

Monique Mackey: We’re Fayetteville proud and Triangle-rooted, but did you know every product we sell is made in small, hand-poured batches? We even use a unique number system on each label so you can tell exactly which batch your item came from. It’s our way of keeping things personal, intentional, and traceable – no big factory lines here. Our team is small (think: family vibes), but our process is mighty. From scent blending to pouring to packaging, it’s all done with care, creativity, and a little Southern magic. And while you can find us online across the country, Boxyard RTP is the only place you can pour your own custom candle with us in person.

Southpoint Access: What are your current goals or upcoming plans – anything exciting on the horizon?

Monique Mackey: Right now, our biggest goal is turning our 6-month pop-up into a permanent home at Boxyard RTP. We’ve completely fallen in love with the energy, the people, and the community here and we’re hoping they feel the same about us! We want to keep growing, connecting, and scenting up the Triangle, one custom candle at a time. So stop in, shop local, and follow along as we (hopefully) make this space our long-term home. The journey’s just getting started, and we’d love for you to be part of it.

Boxyard RTP is at 900 Park Offices Dr.

Spread the word by sharing this Southpoint Access newsletter with friends and neighbors. Got a tip for your neighborhood news guy? Send email to wes.platt@southpointaccess.news. Call 919-695-9813, ext. 800.