Youth Entrepreneur Program

Debbie Blinder has been involved with environmental, animal, and human rights for over 32 years. At a young age of 17, Debbie formed her first park cleanup group in high school and ever since then her passion grew to bring education and positive change to local communties. In college Debbie became Vice President for the local environmental group, working on different campaigns such as awareness for the importance of Dolphin Safe Tuna and being involved with the Gwich’in people of Alaska in protecting the land and caribou from oil companies wanting to drill. 

Moving to Florida, Debbie opened a small bookstore and community center which hosted Earth Day Festivals, Renewable Resource Education, Food Education, Documentary Nights, Peace Walks, and more. It also was a place of haven for outside groups to meet, such as AA and PFLAG. 

A love for camping and hiking, flowing rivers, and waterfalls called Debbie and family to move to the TN mountains. After relocating, she was not only inspired by the ecology, but also the local crafters and farmers in the area. So many were growing and creating good things for our homes and bellies. Debbie began trying out her own recipes and found a little spark in pouring healthier candles for her own home. To her surprise, Full Circle Candles was born a year later, and now Debbie gets to attend craft fairs and farmers markets, the places that initially inspired her. 

Now, the candles and more are made and housed out of Hallelujah Pottery in Monteagle, TN. Community classes  and events are forming for kids and adults in arts, crafts, and environmental education. Debbie was introduced to the Elephant Sanctuary and was asked to become a local ele-ambassador. She has since taken classes and is learning so much about the Elephants, where they come from, what the sanctuary represents and how we can educate our communities better by learning from the Elephant’s stories. She is honored to share this knowledge with her community and help raise awareness of this amazing effort. She is expanding this program to bring more awareness of other animals and environmental learning to kids and adults.