Oh, the times they are a-changin'

Margo Breznik, 45, owner of Tatine from 2001–2007
Then For seven years, Breznik divided her time between researching and buying handmade home decor and European bath and body products for her Wicker Park shop and churning out about a hundred varieties of scented candles. By the end, “I just didn’t want to do it anymore,” she says. “I wanted to go to the other side.”
Now After repackaging and rebranding her line of candles, also called Tatine, Breznik places a heavy emphasis on keeping everything green: The candles are soy and beeswax blends, the glassware comes from 40 percent recycled materials, and the packaging is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Working out of a loft on Hubbard Street, she keeps herself busy. She has more than 60 accounts nationwide, including a few big hitters (she produced 30,000 candles by hand for Anthropologie alone this past fall). Not to mention, she has a few custom lines for a few stores in the works. “I spend almost every waking moment creating something new in my head,” Breznik says.

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