Chanhassen family who lost son in accident works to keep his light shining

Inside a home in Chanhassen, the McNulty family is busy working on their new venture, A Kindness Company, from non-profit Michael’s Light, that makes uniquely-scented candles.

“We hope it makes some small difference in someone’s life,” said Nicole McNulty, Michael’s mother.

Back in June of 2021, the McNulty’s 15-year-old son Michael was tragically killed in a jet ski accident on Lake Minnetonka.

“He’s a perfectly imperfect kid, but he was wise beyond his years in so many ways,” McNulty said.

In the months since their son’s death, Michael’s father EJ said they’ve been trying to find ways to keep his light burning.              

“You knew he touched so many people, right away, we were like, ‘How do we keep that going?’,” said EJ. “A lot of people came to us and said Michael was a ‘light’ right away after his passing.”

The couple said Michael had the unique ability to connect with friends, family, and even strangers, through kindness which helped fuel the McNulty’s new project.

“Candles seemed like a reflective way of light,” Nicole said.

In the last few weeks, the candle company launched in the family’s home.

It’s aimed at a younger generation, with the names of the candles, and even the variety scents of the candles, which in part are fueled by things that meant something to Michael.

The couple even packages each order, with a special note, that explains more about Michael, and how the recipient can keep his light shining by continuing to spread kindness.

“We’d like you to be filled up or accept that joy or kindness, and pay it forward, doesn’t mean you have to buy another candle from us, that just means, doing something wonderful and kind,” EJ said.

Michael’s Light is a charitable fund that supports individual non-profits in need of kindness or dedicated to providing kindness to others, according to the family, a portion of all proceeds go to help those in need.