The Behavior Analyst & The Fire Captain

Kelly Queen’s passion for working with individuals with Autism and other disabilities began in 2007 when she became a paraprofessional in an elementary school while earning her undergraduate degree in special education. This early experience solidified her dedication to teaching and advocating for individuals with disabilities.

In 2013, she began her career as a special educator and spent 10 years with Baltimore County Public Schools, supporting students through specialized instruction, behavior intervention, and communication strategies.

In 2015, Kelly introduced candle-making as a hands-on vocational activity for her students, launching a small fundraiser at the high school where she worked. The success of this initiative sparked a bigger vision—one that would extend beyond the classroom. With hopes of one day creating a business that empowers and employs individuals with disabilities, Sparked Candles was born.

As her passion for behavior analysis grew, Kelly transitioned out of public education, becoming a registered behavior technician (RBT) while pursuing her second master’s degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA). She became a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and went on to serve as a clinical director, providing support and guidance to children and adults with Autism and other developmental disabilities.

Throughout this journey, Sparked Candles remained a passion project—one she kept running on the side while dedicating herself to the field of ABA. Now, Kelly is reigniting her focus on the business, determined to bring it back to its full potential as she continues managing an ABA clinic during the day.

At Sparked Candles, the mission is more than just creating clean-burning, essential oil-infused soy candles. It’s about providing meaningful opportunities for individuals with disabilities, teaching vocational skills that foster independence, confidence, and empowerment.