We’re looking forward to introducing you to Dave Neith. Check out our conversation below.
Dave, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
This is a tough one for me. Lately I am doing a bit of both. I guess that’s how a creative brain operates as I have yet to be able to turn it off. Lately, I seem to be wandering. I think the wandering part is me creating new products. Spilling new ideas in the process of actually creating them. New inspriation that is gathered on a daily basis and a big old brain dump. It’s good the the soul and the mind to take a step back from time to time and wander in creativity. In your craft. I have so many ideas and plan for Unwined, I really am not sure if I will ever get to see them all through. Just know, it will never stop. Creation is something I need. Theres sooo much on-deck at Unwined, all of the time. You can especially see what I am talking about when you visit our shop in Historic Sykesville. A place where I can make small batches, tinker and gauge how my ideas are received by customers. My home away from home. More coming soon to the site fro all to enjoy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dave Neith—maker, designer, and owner of Unwined Candles. I’ve been handcrafting soy candles for over 14 years, and what started as a side side hustle when my twin boys were born 15 years ago, has grown into a full-time creative business. At Unwined, we repurpose wine bottles into clean-burning candles and work with breweries, wineries, and shops across the country to create custom collaborations. Every candle is poured by hand in small batches, and that personal touch is something I’ve held onto since day one. We also have a retail space that doubles as my workshop called Unwined, in Historic Sykesville, MD.
But honestly, I just love to create—candles were the spark, but it’s grown into a much broader creative outlet. I’ve expanded into laser engraving, apparel, packaging design, and illustration, always with a focus on craft and storytelling. I’m also opening a new space in Historic Sykesville called River and Rail, a small-town general store inspired by our railroad/ river roots and our amazing community. It’ll feature local vendors, nostalgic gifts, and plenty of unique and wonderful things for all ages. I feel lucky to not only create every day but to share that work with the community in a meaningful way.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My father, Richard Neith, taught me the most about work—though not through lectures or lessons. I just watched him. For years, he commuted to D.C. to work for the Secret Service, waking up at 4 a.m. every day without fail. Then he’d come home and still find time to play catch, coach my little league teams, or fix something around the house. He was always present, always steady—and I think that’s what stuck with me. I never had to ask him how to do things; I just paid attention. That shaped the kind of person—and business owner—I’ve become.
Even after retiring, he opened a Rita’s franchise and we all pitched in as a family. That experience taught me just as much: the value of showing up for one another, of building something together. Today, he’s still right there beside me—helping behind the scenes at Unwined. He’s the guy listening to Philly sports talk while cutting bottles for candles. He’s picking up glass donations from behind our shop from our amazing “recycling partners” AKA customers who support our mission, soaking and scraping labels, lending a hand whenever and wherever it’s needed. We’re closer than ever, and I’m beyond lucky to have him in my corner.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I’ve struggled with mental illness for most of my life. And when you’re dealing with that kind of weight, you need—at least in my experience—a way to channel it into something productive. As a kid, I didn’t really know how to handle my emotions. I was angry, frustrated, and trying to figure it all out. Then I picked up a camera… and a skateboard. The camera gave me a creative outlet and a sense of control over how I saw the world. That led me to study video production in college in Philly, and eventually I landed a job at a production company.
But the highs and lows didn’t stop—and I needed something more grounding. That’s when candles came into the picture. What started as an experiment became therapy, then a passion, and eventually a business. Since then, I’ve built out other creative outlets—engraving, apparel, illustration—but at the root of it all is the same thing: taking what I feel and turning it into something real. Something someone else might connect to. That’s where the power is. That’s what keeps me creating and on my path..
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I think a lot of smart people today underestimate the value of doing the work. There’s this rush to optimize, automate, and scale everything—and while those things have their place, they can’t replace the heart, effort, or craft behind what actually makes something meaningful. People spend so much time looking for shortcuts or the next big idea that they overlook the impact of just showing up, consistently, and making something with care. Whether it’s a candle, a label, a shop experience, or a relationship—none of that scales unless it’s rooted in something real. Sometimes the smartest move is the slow, steady one no one’s paying attention to.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’m doing what I was born to do—but I had to figure that out on my own. I’ve always been someone who learns by doing, builds with my hands, and finds meaning in creating something from scratch. No one told me to start a candle business or open a shop like River and Rail. That all came from following what felt right, even when the path wasn’t clear. Over time, I realized I didn’t want to follow someone else’s formula—I wanted to make things, solve problems, and bring ideas to life in my own way. This life I’ve built—it’s not conventional, but it’s mine. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://unwinedcandles.com
- Instagram: @unwinedsykesville / @riverandrailsykesville
- Facebook: @unwinedsykesville
