Hills-based candle business Etikette thrives during COVID-19

COVID-19 has been lighting the path to success for a Hills-based business that has employed 10 new staff to keep up with demand for their hand-poured candles.

COVID-19 is lighting the path to success for a Hills-based candle business.

Etikette co-owners, sisters Ella and Georgia Walker employed an extra 10 staff last year after their hand-poured candle business in Bridgewater exploded in popularity.

“We had an unexpected 2020, which I guess everyone did, but in our case were taken by surprise when our business grew so quickly last year that we had to employ more staff,” Ella said.

“When we started in January last year, it was just Georgia and me and then by the end of the year we grew to have a staff of 10… and are now hand pouring 3000 candles every week.

“Because we grew so quickly, we also had to move premises in June and are now located in Bridgewater.”

Etikette co-owners, and sisters, Ella and Georgia Walker at their shop in Bridgewater. Picture: Morgan Sette.

Ella said she credited the rapid success of their business to the fact that all of their candles were made from 100 per cent soy wax.

Each product also comes with a locality name, giving customers a sensory connection to a special place.

“I think people really enjoy that, and we now have 280 stockists around Australia and always keep on adding new locations to our range,” Ella said.

Some of the growth has been boosted by the launch of much-anticipated candle-making workshops.

It is something the sisters had always dreamt of doing, since launching five years ago, but never had the time or space to facilitate until they moved premises last year.

“We ended up training 280 people last year in the art of candle making, across nine different workshops ... and it’s something we’re looking to continue this year,” Ella said.

For workshop dates and products visit etikettecandles.com