Mum explains how she’s set to make an additional £4,000

Government slammed by host for delaying cost of living measures

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Gemma Atkins launched a soy candle business that started as a hobby whilst on maternity leave from her job as a biology teacher, and is now turning over thousands of pounds a year. Ms Atkins told Express.co.uk just how she launched her business, Wax Gem Candles 

With living costs on a steep incline this year, Britons have been increasingly turning to side ventures to generate additional sources of income.

For Ms Atkins, the venture started slightly earlier – but in somewhat good timing, having launched as the world started to reemerge from the Covid lockdown.

Reflecting on her first year of launch, Ms Atkins said: “The extra income was great, especially towards the end of the ‘Covid’ era when the public was starting to venture out and treat themselves.”

However, she continued: “With the cost of living continuously increasing, small businesses like mine are struggling, and there isn’t any help.

“Everyone is watching their spending now and treats like candles are not top of their shopping list, which I completely understand. That said, I am so happy I started creating candles when I did and can bring some additional income to support our family.”

Despite the cost of living knock-back, the business has nonetheless provided a helpful income boost.

Ms Atkins said: “There was a lot of investment initially with equipment and also the research I had to do to find the right materials but looking to the next financial year, I am projected to make around £4,000 after costs.

“It was easier [to start] than anticipated and I found the process really therapeutic, and fortunately, easy to juggle around my newborn’s schedule.

DON’T MISS:
‘Make £5k to £10k a month’: Woman’s ‘beginner friendly side hustle’ [INSIGHT]
Top 10 fixed ISAs with market-leading interest rates right now [ANALYSIS]
BT shares tips to save up to £938 on energy bills as winter draws near [EXPLAINED]

Although launching a business can be a weighty and taxing experience, it wasn’t the case for this entrepreneur. When asked how she launched, Mr Atkins described the process as “easy to start”.

Ms Atkins said: “It was easy to start as candle making has become so popular over the last few years.

“There are a lot of supply shops out there where you can buy the complete equipment set up that you need.”

The hardest part was establishing the right wax for her freestanding candles, which required a lot of testing and experimenting but to get to the point of selling the candles, Ms Atkins said: “It took me around three months. I absolutely love creating my candles, experimenting with designs and meeting people at markets.

“In the evenings I spend about three hours on social media content, updating the website, packaging the candles and handling any orders I may have.

“I have a map on the wall and colour in the location every time I send an order out. It’s amazing to think a Wax Gem candle I have made is sitting proudly in someone’s home.”

Elsewhere, Holly and Keith Burton started their eco-conscious wax melt and reed diffuser business, Wren and Blossom, and said the process was “relatively straightforward”.

Launching around a year and a half ago after growing a fervent interest in wax melts and scents, Mrs Burton told Express.co.uk: “Keith had the idea of trying to make our own wax melts. I really enjoyed creating them and family and friends would comment on how lovely the house smelt and asked if I could make some for them.

“We had really good feedback so we investigated the prospect of starting a small business – with the aim it would hopefully be successful and provide extra income.”

Mr and Mrs Burton turned over around £1,500 after the first year of trading.

Mrs Burton said: “After a year of trading, the business pays for itself but nothing more. This was our goal for the first year, we are so pleased to have achieved this.

“Any money made has been reinvested into the business. For the first five of six months of trading, we could only sell online due to Covid restrictions halting us from attending any events.

“Now that we’re established we have big ambitions and hope to keep growing, it is great to have another form of income alongside something we enjoy and take pride in.”

And despite the reduction in many Britons’ disposable incomes, these small business owners have found people have been favouring their handmade products.

Mrs Burton said: “We feel that people are supporting local small businesses rather than shopping online all the time, which is amazing. Both Keith and I are happy that we’ve got our small business, it’s hard work and can be time-consuming but you get a sense of pride from doing it.

“We’ve been trading online for just over a year now, we also have stock in two local shops which, so far, do quite well.

“We feel that we are faring well in the current climate, many small businesses don’t survive their first year, unfortunately. We have also started going to local craft fairs and farmers markets.”

Exploring their “straightforward” process of launching, Mrs Burton said: “Our biggest hurdle was complying with the legislation surrounding chemicals within the fragrance oil.”

However, she noted: “There’s plenty of information available online to help with any questions you may have, and the Government website is full of guidance in all aspects of owning and running your own business.

“We have used Instagram and Facebook to help with marketing and getting our brand out there, lots of small businesses do the same. I’m so happy we started.”

To read about more successful side hustles, click here.

Source: Read Full Article