A former estate agent who made her first candle with a shop-bought kit has launched a candle and fragrance shop in her hometown.
Amber Hue Candles opened in Romford Shopping Hall on October 3, marking the first in-person location for the business.
Founder Leoni Goldsmith-Cormick has sold her products at markets and pop-ups since 2023, including in King's Cross and at the Ideal Home Show, but is now "really excited" to have a permanent base in her home town.
Leonie started the business in 2020 having previously worked as an estate agent in north London.
She said: “I always loved being creative. I found this later on in life – I wish I’d realised that I could use my creativity for something like this before but better late than never.”
Leonie was inspired to start her own business after making bridal gift boxes for her wedding.
“I thought, maybe I could turn this into a business, but I couldn’t find candles wholesale anywhere to buy unless you buy 1,000 units. Being a small business, I couldn’t do that, so I thought let me try making my own.
“I got a little candle-making kit from Hobbycraft to try making my own candle – realised I liked the process – and thought, I’ll have this business on the side of the other one, but I never looked back at the other one.”
Now, Amber Hue Candles has expanded to feature a bath and body range, and some of the most popular items include "pick and mix" wax melts and flower reed diffusers.
Leonie makes all the products in a studio in her mum’s garden.
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