A Waterloo woman who set up her own candle business while grieving her partner's death has been stunned by its success.
In late 2019, Jessica Sharpe had been feeling "unfulfilled" in her 9 to 5 job and was eager to find a job that satisfied her creativity, while also finding a way to make a bit of extra cash. After a discussion with a friend, Jess met up with her partner, Lee Kent, and talked over the idea of launching her own candle business.
Lee, a graphic designer and "brilliant photographer" was supportive of the idea and the couple started planning the entire brand "all in the space of a 20 minute train journey" together. Just a few weeks later, Lee suddenly died of a brain haemorrhage.
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Speaking to the Echo, Jess, 27, said: "The only thing that kept me sane in the weeks after Lee's passing in December 2019 were my friends and family, and making the small candle gestures to give to his friends and family at the funeral. Lee was full of creativity, passion and amazing ideas. I knew that if he thought starting a candle business was a good idea, then that was what I would do. And that's when I knew Lee's motto, 'to the moon' - meaning not even the sky is the limit - would be the name of my brand.
"It wasn't long after the pandemic hit the UK and having to physically grieve alone was new to everyone. All I did during that time was put every ounce of strength into building To The Moon - it was, and still is, my way of feeling close to Lee."
Jess said she "never" thought about launching her own brand and liked the "thought of clocking out at 5pm and leaving work at the door" but Lee was different. She continued: "Lee was always working on a side project and even went freelance for a couple of years. He loved the independence that he got from working for himself. I now realise the quote, 'choose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life' is so true.
"There's never a 'perfect time' to start a business, sometimes you just need to go for it. A big learning curve to having your own business, especially in the early stages, is to know it's okay to make mistakes. For some reason, I thought I'd get everything perfect on the first time round but when it comes to perfecting a craft, practice makes perfect."
To The Moon continues to thrive, with its product range extending to include diffusers and tote bags. The brand is eco-conscious; using recyclable packaging and shipping materials with as little plastic as possible. Jess hand pours every candle, melt and reed diffuser by hand here in Liverpool.
Its success has been somewhat of a surprise to Jess, who never expected to see her products sold across Liverpool. She said: "The success of To The Moon has definitely exceeded my expectations. I still can't believe it when I see my products dotted around town or in people's homes. My favourite thing about running my own brand is having full creative control and being able to start and finish work every day when it suits me.
"I can't thank my friends and family enough for all of their support throughout my entire journey with To The Moon. I had a friend of mine secretly enter me in a 'small business of the match' competition with LFC. Not only did I win a day at Anfield with my brand featured on the LED around the pitch, but I'm now partnered with LFC's official sponsor Vista."
Though it's not without its difficulties. Jess said: "The hardest thing about running any small business is staying motivated when business is slow. The summer is always on the quieter side for the candle business, but now is the time to recharge and plan ahead for autumn, which is candle season."
Of her hopes for the future, Jess said: "A big goal of mine is to have my own shop front in town someday. But until then, my mission is to be like the moon and inspire others even when I'm far from full, just as Lee inspires me every day."
All To The Moon products are free from phthalates, parabens, petroleum and animal-derived ingredients, and are 100% cruelty free. You can browse To The Moon's full range here. You can keep up with Jess on social media here.
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