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.
