A mum has told of how she followed her passion for crafts and interior design and turned it into a successful online business.
Lindsay Gibson, 38 from Durham, felt inspired to start her own business after becoming a mum.
She told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk : "After having my little boy I was working full time for the NHS.
"As I was spending more time at home with my little one I didn't get out and about much. So I started playing with different crafts as hobbies."
Lindsay revealed she had always been passionate about interior design and after buying a few "disappointing candles" decided to "make it on my own".
She learned her craft simply by studying online tutorials and said: "I watched so many YouTube videos and did a lot of research.
"I found supplies and it was basically trial and error."
After making the first of many products, Lindsay set up her Etsy store called LindsayLucasCandles.
She added: "In the beginning, it was just a hobby so it was all for fun.
"I only made £100 in my first year but I wasn’t focussing on making money.
"However, a couple of years into making and setting up my business I really struggled balancing time."
Lindsay took a "calculated risk" and swapped her full-time job for a part-time one, which allowed her to manage her time better and concentrate energy into building up the business.
She carried on in this way for a few years until she felt confident enough to completely leave her job and focus on her new venture full time.
However, by then Lindsay came up against an unforeseen obstacle.
She said: "The next issue was space. I started in my kitchen which I quickly outgrew.
"I built an extension onto the side of my house which only lasted a year before I needed more space.
"The business took over my home!
"The loft was full, I had two sheds built in the garden…finally, I decided to take on work premises."
Lyndsay called this move "life-changing" but soon even outgrew her new space and so took on a "bigger location" where she has been settled for the past couple of years.
She added: "This was one of the most nerve-wracking things I have done but it has worked out perfectly."
The business now operates from a 1,000sq ft and employs four staff members.
When Covid 19 hit the world and the UK went into lockdown, Lyndsay said the business "exploded" during those socially restricted periods and she was facet with "more work than I could handle".
The online entrepreneur added: "There's been a dip in the level of work since but things are just as they were prior to the pandemic.
"Sales are around the same. Some weeks are up, some are down - it’s swings and roundabouts.
"If I'm having a quiet period it gives me a chance to work on new ideas."
The company sells a bigger range of products than when it first began, including scented candles, decorative pillar candles, candle tarts, reed diffusers, car air fresheners, carpet powders and fabric fresheners.
Each item is handcrafted by Lyndsay and her team with eco-friendly supplies as well as a range of hampers that can be made up as gifts.
The personal touch Lindsay applies to her products has turned her passion into a profitable business, with repeat customers, and she enjoys the feedback from customers.
She said: "Since we personalise our candles we receive a lot of heartfelt orders for weddings and bereavements.
"I love it when my customers message me to tell me how amazed or impressed they are by the products - it still gives me a massive buzz.
"Knowing I've helped really makes it all worthwhile. When I have hard days I tend to reflect on that."
"I recognise a lot of names of repeat customers when processing orders and that always blows me away. It gives me a lot of validation."
After starting from scratch with just a pan and jug in the kitchen, Lyndsay is motivated by reflecting on her achievements and where she has made it to.
She said: "Now I’m making six figures."
Like most businesses, though, rising prices as the cost of living goes up has made an impact.
Lyndsay said: " Electricity costs and prices for supplies have shot up dramatically.
"My latest order for a pallet of wax had risen by £1,000 since my previous order, so I'm looking at different suppliers to see if I can get a better deal.
"I would actively encourage people to shop small and support small businesses like mine to help keep us going."
She advises anyone else looking to start up their own business to "be unique and stay strong.
"Start small and build up. Research everything and, most importantly, do not listen to doubt."
