THE ORIGINAL AND THE BEST – OUR HISTORY The PartyLite tradition of making the world’s finest candles dates back more than a century to one woman and one candle in the heart of New England, where American candle-making has its roots. In 1909, a schoolteacher named Mabel Baker began making bayberry candles in her Cape Cod kitchen. From those sweet, fragrant beginnings emerged a company that, in 1973
, introduced a new concept and a new brand called PartyLite. Based in Plymouth, Mass., today our company is the world’s #1 party plan company selling candles, candle holders, flameless fragrance and wax warmers, as well as holiday and home décor in 21 different countries. SOME COMPANIES ARE MADE TO STAND OUT A Better Business Bureau Accredited Business, PartyLite also ranks #31 in the Direct Selling News “Global 100 top revenue-generating direct selling companies.” This year, PartyLite celebrates 40 years as the global leader in its category and 23 years as a member of the Blyth family of companies. WE HONOUR OUR INDUSTRY'S CODE OF ETHICS PartyLite is a long-standing member of the Direct Sellers Association. At PartyLite, we believe that direct selling is more than making money. It’s about a steadfast commitment to customer service and ethical business practices as stated in the DSA Code of Ethics. In 1905, Mabel Kimball, a New England schoolteacher and entrepreneur, began to make candles from the bayberries on Cape Cod. Her initial goal was simply to make bayberry candles for her friends and family as Christmas gifts. Her friends loved them and insisted that she make more. In 1907, Mabel married Walter D. Baker, the owner of a Hyannis department store. That year, she offered her bayberry candles for sale in Walter's store. Within a year, several other stores on Cape Cod were also selling Mabel Baker's candles. By 1910, the fame of her candles reached Boston, and one of the largest stores there purchased her entire supply of candles that year. Mabel's business grew and flourished for years as Colonial Candle of Cape Cod. In 1973, Colonial Candle of Cape Cod set up PartyLite Gifts, Inc. to sell excess inventory of candles from their factory and gift shop. A unique profit plan was established for the Consultants who would sell the candles. The plan offered cash incentives for not only selling the candles, but also for bringing in new sellers and developing their potential. The no-risk, people-oriented career plan took off. Since then, sales have grown dramatically and Consultants world-wide have found fine income potential in the PartyLite plan. In 1990, Blyth, Inc. acquired both Colonial Candle of Cape Cod and PartyLite. Under the leadership of Bob Goergen, Chairman, CEO and President, Blyth believed in and invested in PartyLite, playing a key role in supporting their phenomenal domestic and international growth. Today, PartyLite candles, fragrance options and home accents are sold by more than 50,000 Consultants worldwide.
