AJ’s Fire Starters business ignites

By Adelle Ellis, Times Reporter

What started as an idea four years ago is quickly turning into a promising business venture for 20-year-old AJ Dykens-Dunbar, who has created a homemade easy-starting fire starter, with support from the Strathmore Foothills Advocacy in Motion (FAIM) Society.
The Strathmore AIM society, which is celebrating 10 years in the Strathmore area, “supports individuals to have an independent life and to be loved and accepted for their abilities” with an overall goal to “assist in the integration of persons with disabilities into existing social and economic structures (and) to guide and enable the recipient to make informed decisions about their needs, goals and objectives,” said Beverly Roppel, FAIM program manager in Strathmore.
Dykens-Dunbar was given the opportunity to open his entrepreneurial start-up after receiving a grant from an anonymous donor through FAIM, and AJ’s Fire Starters took flame.
The idea was born following Dykens-Dunbar’s finding that many store-bought fire starters yield poor results. He set out to create his own long-lasting fire starter after finding inspiration from a friend’s homemade model that was used to start a seemingly unignitable fire four years ago, and in turn fueling his desire to turn his discovery into a thriving business.
“Once I was told I had help with it and had money to actually start up, I was like OK, let’s do this … and they do stay going, it’s so simple and all natural and works,” said Dykens-Dunbar, who added that he makes and packages the product at the Strathmore AIM society with help from job councillors.
The all-natural fire starter is made completely out of recycled products to make it environmentally friendly. It is made from re-used paper egg cartons filled with recycled wood chunks and melted donated candles before being packaged in recycled newspaper.
It took a couple iterations before finding the perfect mix of ingredients to create a long-lasting fire starter that burns up to 30 minutes, even in strong winds.
“In the beginning, it was super difficult because we were trying to fine-detail everything, but we finally got down to a science how to make them. We (have) a good recipe now,” said Dykens-Dunbar, who can produce approximately 40 a day and who hopes to grow his business.
Individual fire starters are sold for $1 each, or a pack of six starters with matches are sold for $5. They work well for in-home fireplaces, campfires and bonfires, and are also a great addition to survival and car kits.
To donate products for the fire starters or to make a purchase, contact the Strathmore AIM Society by calling their office at 403-934-4888. AJ’s Fire Starters are also on sale at Strathmore Home Hardware, and soon Dykens-Dunbar hopes to partner with and sell his product at nearby campgrounds and other retailers, and to grow his business before the start of summer and camping season this year.