Meet The Maker - Candle Collective UK
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Time to read 9 min
Starting a candle business is one of those ideas that sounds simple until you actually sit down and think it through. The creative part? Absolutely joyful. The business part? That's where things get interesting.
In this article, we’re shining a spotlight on Carol, the founder of Candle Collective UK. At NI Candle Supplies, we're proud to support passionate UK candle makers like Carol, providing quality materials that help turn a kitchen-table hobby into a flourishing business!
Table Of Contents
Candle Collective UK: Getting To Know Carol, The Creative Force Behind The Brand The Origin Story: Every Maker Starts Somewhere. The Pivot The Breakthrough The Wisdom Gained 2025 Goals - Expectation Vs Reality? What Are Some Of The Frustrations Of Running Your Own Candle-Making Business? The Partner Perspective Conclusion: Lighting The Way For Aspiring Makers
Candle Collective UK: Getting To Know Carol, The Creative Force Behind The Brand
Carol is exactly the kind of maker we love working with at NI Candle Supplies. Her dedication to her craft and her customers is what makes the candle-making community so special, and we're honoured to play a part in her journey by providing the quality materials she needs to create her products.
Carol's inspiring journey into the world of candle making
Originally from Edinburgh, Carol now calls Liverpool home. Her surroundings play a real part in shaping her approach to crafting luxury scented candles and natural wax melts. Running a home fragrance brand means understanding what customers want, and location definitely influences those preferences in the retail market.
How did you come up with your business name? We love a good origin story!
"The name came from the idea that scent is something we share," Carol explains. "I've always believed fragrance connects us to memories, moments, and the people we love, and I wanted the name to reflect that community feel. 'Collective' felt right because this business isn't just about candles. It's about the stories behind them, the customers who support us, and the emotions they evoke. And 'UK' grounds us in where it all started: my kitchen table in Liverpool, hand-pouring vegan wax melts!"
photos courtesy of @lucyhannahbranding
This community-focused approach is a hallmark of the best UK candle makers. They understand that a fragrance oil blend, whether it features bergamot, frankincense, neroli, or bitter orange, isn't just a product. It's an experience.
The Origin Story: Every Maker Starts Somewhere.
What was the very first candle you ever made, and what made you decide to turn that hobby into a professional business?
"I started after making candles for my wedding day, and it spiralled from there!" Carol shares. "I enjoyed making them more than I thought I would, even though it turned out to be so much harder than I expected!"
Mastering the technical side, things like wick sizing, melt pools, and scent throw, took real effort. When Carol sold her bridal shop, she wanted a business she could run from home while she and her partner focused on starting a family. That decision allowed her to test fragrances, perfect her wax melt formulations, and experiment with different scent profiles until she found the perfect blends. Today, her studio produces everything from wax melt burners to sophisticated reed diffuser sets, for both the home and car!
The signature scent that started it all...
Fancy making your own candles? Check out our kits!
The Pivot
What have been some of the greatest hurdles you've overcome?
"Running a small business isn't all pretty labels and perfect Instagram grids," Carol admits. "One of the biggest hurdles has been wearing all the hats: maker, marketer, customer service, accountant... and doing it all while also being a mum. It's a constant juggle, and finding balance hasn't always been easy, especially during nap-trapped days with Ada!"
Navigating slow sales periods has been tough too, particularly when she's poured her heart into a new summer or green botanical launch that doesn't take off as hoped. She's learned to treat those moments as opportunities to grow. In a busy retail market filled with famous British brands, Carol leans into what makes Candle Collective UK different: the story, the unique scents, and the heart behind every product.
photos courtesy of @lucyhannahbranding
"The truth is that every hurdle has made the wins even sweeter. And I wouldn't change a thing."
The Breakthrough
What have been some of your biggest successes to date?
"There have been a few pinch-me moments!" Carol shares. "Like being nominated for a couple of awards. I haven't won yet, but even a nomination was amazing!
But honestly? The biggest successes have been the little things. Seeing repeat customers come back time and time again. Hearing that a specific amber or fruity scent reminded customer Jackie of her wedding day. And being able to grow this brand while working from home with toddler Ada. That's the kind of success she dreamed of when Candle Collective UK began.”
photos courtesy of @lucyhannahbranding
The Wisdom Gained
If you had to start all over again, what advice would you give your younger self?
"I'd say: trust your gut, and stop waiting for the 'perfect' time," Carol reflects. "I spent a lot of time second-guessing myself, wondering if I had the right branding, the right glass jar selection, or enough experience to 'deserve' running a business. But honestly? You learn by doing."
She'd also remind herself that done is better than perfect. Your first product won't be your final one. Your first label won't be the one you keep forever. And that's okay. Progress over perfection, always.
"And finally, celebrate the small wins. Because those little moments, your first sale, your first repeat customer, someone tagging your refillable diffuser on social media, they're what build something meaningful. Starting Candle Collective UK has been one of the best things I've ever done. I just wish I'd believed in myself a little sooner."
2025 Goals - Expectation Vs Reality?
Our initial interview took place in mid-2025. During this conversation, Carol shared her goals for the end of the year.
Do you have any goals you hope to achieve by the end of 2025? If so, what are they?
"Yes! I've got some big, and slightly scary, goals for Candle Collective UK in 2025," Carol told us. "One of the main ones is to double my 2024 turnover. Not just for the number itself, but because it represents real, sustainable growth for my business and the ability to keep doing what I love while supporting my family."
She was also working on expanding the wholesale side, getting products stocked in lovely indie shops around the UK. Seeing her products on real shelves still felt surreal! And she wanted to grow her community, not just in size but in connection, through better email content, new scent stories, and more behind-the-scenes moments.
"And personally, I'm aiming to find a better work/life balance. To grow the business while still being present with my daughter, and making time for the things that refill my own cup."
We then caught up with Carol in April 2026 to see how her 2025 goals panned out. This is what she had to say:
"It's actually really nice to revisit my 2025 goals and see how things have evolved," Carol reflects. "2025 was a big year of growth and clarity for me. While I didn't quite double turnover, I've built something much more sustainable, which I'm really proud of."
|
Area |
2025 Expectation |
2026 Reality |
| Financial |
Double 2024 turnover |
Sustainable model, below 2x target |
| Product |
Expand wholesale |
Seasonal collections and collaborations |
| Marketing | Improve email and scent stories |
"Moments That Matter" campaign |
| Personal |
Better work/life balance |
Balancing toddler care and business |
She launched new seasonal collections featuring concentrated notes like mint, tea, and myrtle blossom, and had some amazing collaborations with other small businesses. Her "Moments That Matter" campaign put a much bigger focus on storytelling and connection.
"Going forward, my goals are less about chasing numbers and more about building a brand that lasts, growing a strong, engaged community, continuing to collaborate with other businesses, and creating products that genuinely mean something to people. Personally, I'm still working on the balance between growing Candle Collective UK in a way that supports my family life, not competing with it."
What Are Some Of The Frustrations Of Running Your Own Candle-Making Business?
This one isn't a question; it's just a safe space to vent about anything you want. We want to know what it's really been like running a craft-based business!
"Running a craft-based business is beautiful, and brutal. It's fulfilling, creative, empowering... but it's also exhausting, emotional, and sometimes really lonely."
There are days she feels on top of the world when a sale comes through, or a customer sends a message saying a scent reminded them of someone they love. But there are also quiet weeks, slow markets, and moments where she questions everything. Did she pick the right scent ideas? Will anyone care about this new greenhouse botanical launch? Is she doing enough?
"And because it's craft-based, every single thing starts with me. My hands. My time. My energy. I love the process, but it can be hard to separate myself from the product. If something doesn't sell, it can feel deeply personal. Like I'm the one being rejected, not just a wax melt!"
But here's the thing: she wouldn't trade it for anything. Creating something from nothing, building a brand with heart, and seeing people connect with what she's made? It's magic. Tiring, unpredictable, often overwhelming... but magic.
"To anyone else riding the same rollercoaster: you're not alone. You're doing better than you think!"
The Partner Perspective
As a pro, what do you look for in your supplies and partnerships?
"NI Candle Supplies is the company I started my making journey with," Carol shares. "When starting out and testing, I used your glassware, wax, wicks, oils, the lot!"
Overall, she's had a really positive experience buying from us. The product range is great, and the quality of glassware and fragrance oils has consistently met her expectations, which is so important for making premium, vegan-friendly candles and melts. The ordering process is straightforward, and deliveries have been prompt and well-packaged.
"I especially appreciate the customer service team. They've been helpful and responsive whenever I've had questions or needed advice on wick sizing or fragrance ratios. NI Candle Supplies has been a reliable partner on my crafting journey, and I'd happily recommend them to other makers."
Key takeaways from Carol's candle making journey
- Starting from wedding candles, Carol built Candle Collective UK into a sustainable home business while balancing motherhood and creative passion
- Success in candle making requires mastering technical skills like wick sizing and scent throw, plus the resilience to adapt when products don't perform as expected
- Building authentic customer connections through storytelling and community focus proves more valuable than chasing perfect branding or rapid growth
- Quality materials from reliable suppliers like NI Candle Supplies form the foundation for creating premium products that customers return to time and again
Conclusion: Lighting The Way For Aspiring Makers
Carol's journey from pouring wax at her kitchen table to running Candle Collective UK offers a genuine blueprint for aspiring UK candle artisans. Building a successful business takes more than mixing wax and fragrance oil. It takes resilience, the willingness to adapt, and a real connection to your community.
Whether you're formulating a complex bergamot and black neroli blend or designing a new refillable reed diffuser, the quality of your materials shapes your final product. At NI Candle Supplies, we're committed to supporting the UK candle makers of tomorrow. We provide quality materials, reliable dispatch times, and expert support so that creators like Carol can transform their creative visions into thriving businesses.
FAQs
What things are most overwhelming about starting a business?
The most common feelings when you're starting out include:
- Overwhelm from the sheer number of decisions, from choosing between candle waxes to selecting the right silicone moulds for your designs
- Anxiety about standing out when it feels like everyone is already selling candles
- Confusion around the technical details, like calculating accurate burn times or working out fragrance loads (typically 8-10%)
- Fear of investing time and money into insurance, materials, and marketing, only for things not to work out.
How much does it cost to start a candle-making business?
You can start a small-scale candle making business in the UK for around £300 to £500. This covers basic equipment, initial wax and fragrance supplies, CLP labels, and basic insurance. Scaling up for larger production runs, gift sets, and professional branding typically requires an additional £1,000 to £3,000.
NI Candle Supplies specialises in high-quality candle-making materials, offering a diverse range of waxes, wicks, and fragrances. Committed to inspiring creativity, we provide resources for beginners and seasoned artisans. Our mission is to empower candle makers with quality products and expert guidance, fostering a vibrant community of enthusiasts who share a passion for craftsmanship and creativity.
