Covid-19 pandemic helped Matlock woman achieve her goals and launch her own business

Ailis Topley, 28, launched Pott, a candle refill company, in her parents utility room last November.

Ailis said: “I’ve been living in Melbourne, Australia, for the past couple of years and, unfortunately, while there, the global pandemic began.

"Although 2020 was a terrible year for many reasons, one positive of it for me was that it allowed me the time to achieve clarity and perspective.”

"I was gifted a candle making kit for my birthday a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed making them, just as a hobby.

"During the pandemic, with a lot of spare time on my hands, I started getting into making them more frequently and learning as much as I could about candle making.”

Ailis moved back to Matlock in August last year and launched the business in November.

She said: “It was a pretty whirlwind three months setting everything up, but I knew I wanted to launch before Christmas.

“My parents kindly moved their stuff out of the utility room and I made that my home. Well, it started off as just the utility room but soon grew to lots of rooms in the house, which I’m not sure they were too happy about as candles are quite a messy business."

Pott is a candle refill company which means once your candle has burned out, you do not need to buy a new, you can just get it refilled.

Ailis said: “Candle refills are a new and unique idea, but it makes total sense.

"In the UK, an average consumer burns six candles a year. If there are 51 million adults in the UK, that’s 306 million empty candle pots a year. Where do all the empty pots go?

"I wanted to create a brand that helped with this issue.

"So with Pott, you keep your handmade ceramic pot and re-fill it with our custom-made candle refills.

"I’ve been amazed and humbled by the amount of support it has received so far and it is really encouraging for the future.”

For more information visit www.pottcandles.com.

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