Featured Maker // Pott Candles
Ailis Topley
Founder of Pott Candles
Ailis Topley is founder of Pott, the candle refill company. She makes candles that can be refilled over and over, meaning you only need one Pott for the rest of your life.
Ailis’ interest in candle making began a few years ago when her partner gifted her a candle making kit. She really enjoyed making them as a hobby but when lockdown hit, Ailis found the candle making extremely therapeutic and the process became a version of escapism.
Ailis’ background isn’t in the creative industry at all! She has spent the last 6 years working in corporate strategy roles. The pandemic allowed her time to reflect on her career and where it was headed and as she really wanted to do something more creative, she thought it’s ‘now or never'. Ailis was living in Australia at the time, moved back to the UK in August and launched her business in November. It has been an incredibly steep learning curve, but she is so happy that she made the choice and has not looked back.
We caught up with Ailis to discover more about the materials she uses and how she began her business amid the pandemic.
What do you make, where and which materials do you use?
We make refillable candles. Our business has two sides to it; the candles and the Potts. The candles are made from a natural rapeseed & coconut wax and the Potts are made by our brilliant potters, who hand throw each one on a pottery wheel using stoneware. We have partnered with two amazing potters. One is based in Perth (Scotland) and one in Wimbledon. The love, care and attention that goes into making each Pott is incredible and every day they amaze me with their creative abilities.
Can you explain where your business name comes from?
We wanted to flip the idea of a candle on its head. The focus is often on the scents, but we wanted to develop a business where the focus was on the candle pot, or the ‘Pott’, as we like to call it (the scents smell great too, but we see this as a given!). In the UK every year, 306 million candles are burnt; where do all the empty candle Potts go? We wanted to develop a sustainable brand that meant you only need one candle Pott for the rest of your life. It’s really important that our products stand the test of time, so we focus on classic, timeless designs. We combine style, functionality and sustainability.
“We focus on classic, timeless design and combine style, functionality and sustainability”
What are the biggest lessons you have learned since running your business?
You are capable of more than you think. A lot of our lives are defined by social constructs, job titles, roles, universities etc., People pre-judge your capabilities and there can be a culture of ‘if you have no experience, or proof you have done it before, then you are considered not able to do it.’
The thing I have loved about running my own business is that you can knock all of those barriers and constructs down. You become CEO, CFO, COO, CTO and CMO (plus others!) all in one. You learn so much about the depth of your own capabilities, and become very aware of your weaknesses. It’s been a steep learning curve, but one where I have learnt so much and become very self aware. Believe in yourself; you can do it!
What advice would you give to others who are starting a creative business?
Customers can sense when your heart and soul is in something, and I think they can really gauge passion and authenticity. Not everything you produce will be to everyone’s taste, and that’s okay. Design and creativity is so subjective, but what isn’t is love, passion and care, and for me that’s what can really set you apart. Be you and be proud to be you!
How has lock down affected you and your business?
We have developed and launched the business during lockdown so it is impossible to fully understand how it has impacted us. However, as a consumer during this period I think there has been a big push on social media and through communities to support small business. I have felt a lot of warmth and encouragement from other small business owners, and there has been a real sense of community, with everyone helping each other out. I think people are also spending a lot of time on social media, and we have found that this has been an amazing platform to help promote our products.
Check out more of Pott Candles work on their website and instagram:
www.pottcandles.com
@pottcandles
