Every month we showcase a new independent business on our blog and Instagram.
Welcome to our sixth 'Chats with Makers' interview with the lovely Selina from Studio Thirty.
After meeting Selina at the end of 2020, it's been great to have her involved in one of our online and in person markets. Selina creates beautiful candles which look and smell amazing! Our favourites include 'Bloom' and 'Luna' which are so uplifting.
Selina juggles her candle making business alongside a full time job, which is super impressive. We are looking forward to catching up with Selina on Tuesday evening, and hope to find how she manages it.
Tuesday 15th June - Studio Thirty x LMM Instagram Takeover and Live at 6.30pm.
What is Studio Thirty?
Studio Thirty is a home fragrance brand with a focus on natural wax candles and botanical wax melts poured from my home studio.
The candles and wax melts are made from a blend of natural waxes which are sustainably sourced and eco-friendly, as are the fragrance oils.
Inspired by my travels, nature and sentiments, Studio Thirty showcases a signature scent collection to evoke moments of comfort and calm.
When did your business first start and what made you do it?
Studio Thirty was founded in 2020 during the first Covid-19 lockdown. It initially started out as a creative outlet and a distraction in response to an uncertain time. After months of research and testing I launched with a few scents and haven’t looked back. I wanted to create affordable products, made from sustainable materials that I would be happy to burn in my own home.
What is the process of making your candles from start to finish?
I like to bring out 1 or 2 scents at a time, so it usually starts with a brainstorm of ideas and scent profiles. Once I’m set on a few ideas I get stuck in with testing.
I strive to run Studio Thirty with an eco-conscious ethos so I use sustainable ingredients and packaging throughout. Once the candles and wax melts have been made, I leave them to cure for a few days. This is the chemical process that takes place as the wax and oils blend and incorporate into each and allows for a great scent throw.
Which candle is your favourite and why?
I enjoy burning all of my candles so it often depends on my mood, the time of day and which room I happen to be in.
My favourite scent at the moment is Reverie which is a dreamy herbal blend of lavender, rosemary and sweet orange. It has become my go-to-candle when I’m working for home, or when I’m settling down to watch Netflix in bed. This blend really sets the mood for some relaxation and downtime.
Do you have any candle care tips for customers?
The first time you burn your candle, let it burn until the top layer of wax has melted to the edge of the jar. If the candle is extinguished before this, subsequent burns or melt pools might not be even and can cause “tunnelling” which can reduce the burn time of your candle.
Are there any major obstacles you have overcome?
Balancing all the tasks involved in running a small business alongside my full time job. Like many others running a small business, I’m the maker, the photographer, the accountant and the social media manager so I try to make a conscious effort to plan and utilise my time wisely.
Which digital platforms and programs have helped shape your business?
Instagram! It’s been a great tool to engage with customers over potential scents, feedback on purchases and to explain the ethos behind Studio Thirty. I’ve also been really fortunate to have met other supportive makers and communities on Instagram who share their wealth of knowledge on how to build a small business.
What advice would you give to someone beginning their small business journey?
Put yourself out there and don’t undersell yourself or your products or service. Also, don’t be afraid to make mistakes or be put off when you suffer a setback.
Do you have any goals for 2021?
I’m hoping to expand the Studio Thirty product line with some other scents and products.
How can readers get in touch with you and find your shop?
You can find all candles and wax melts at www.studio30shop.co.uk. If you would like to get in touch or have any queries, you can email me at hello@studio30shop.co.uk.
You can also find Studio Thirty on Instagram @studiothirty_30 where I’m more than happy to have a chat in the DMs.
If you've enjoyed this interview, or have any further questions for Selina, please get in touch. Join us on Tuesday 15th June at 6.30pm to find out more about Studio Thirty on Instagram Live.
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