We interviewed Asahela of Rosebuds Aroma about her stunning candles recently, and she shared her story of how she got into candle making and where her love of affirmations came from. Read on to find out more.
Tell us about the journey that led you to launch your brand Rosebuds Aroma…
It was back in the spring of 2019 when I had experienced an awful trauma that would change the tredrectory of my life forever. I was at the peak of my career as a Lactation Consultant when I suffered a mental breakdown due to an assault, forcing me to be signed off sick from my full-time job. It was then that I began my soul surgery journey, making candles with poems and affirmations to help me on my road to recovery. I used essential oils as my fragrance base as I realised they helped improve my moods and settle my racing mind.
We hear on the grapevine that your daughter helps with Rosebuds Aroma, what does she do to help?
Shamaya helps with all aspects of the business, from making candles and wax melts to packing orders ready for shipping. There is not a single product in our range that has not been approved by this little madam. The greatest thing about working with Shamaya is that she was 11 when we started and now at the age of 13 she has a fully functioning business. She’s talented and unstoppable, and with all she is learning her future is destined to be bright.
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced and how did you overcome it?
To be completely transparent, my biggest challenge was keeping the business going during the Covid-19 pandemic. We had launched less than 6 months before the first lockdown and I was back working fulltime as a frontline worker for the NHS during the peak of the lockdown.
Understandably this had a huge impact in sales, Shamaya and I often questioned if we were on the right path with Rosebuds Aroma. We overcame this challenge by remaining hopeful and positive. Regardless of whatever happened with Rosebuds Aroma, we are fortunate to be here. The world tragically lost so many people and, in some way, or another this pandemic has affected us all. There is something far more powerful about overcoming all we have over the past 18 months. All we needed to do is keep showing up and we had already won.
Rosebuds Aroma
If you were to describe your business mantra in three words, what would they be?
Relax. Refresh. Release
What advice would you offer anyone interested in venturing into the world of candle production?
Candle manufacturing is a multi billion-pound market and it can be easy to feel intimidated by the bigger brands. But don’t. You are your own brand, if you intend to handmake your products like we do, then you already have an advantage.
Better to fail then to have never tried.
Talk us through an average business day in your life…
It usually begins with me waking up my children ready for school, between the time of waking up and getting ready I will have checked my online stores for any orders we have received overnight and gathered up packaged orders for me to post after the school run. By lunchtime, I’m usually back home preparing the next orders ready for shipping and/or restocking. After I’ve picked up the kids from school Shamaya then takes over with the labelling of the products I have made during the day and packs them all away for curing. Once the kids have gone to bed around 7:30pm, I then spend an hour or so on my social media platforms responding to messages and posting content.
Business can be an upward struggle at times, what do you do to stay positive?
I write poetry and affirmations. A large selection of my candles with the poems and prayers are written by me for me. Once I started showcasing my work, it was fascinating to see I was not alone and that we can all do with a pick me up.
Do you have a go to quote when lacking motivation?
“Every day I wake up is a day that I still have purpose in this world”
I heard a motivational speaker once say that the “richest place on earth is a graveyard because it’s filled with hopes, dreams and ideas that had never been actioned for one reason or another” If I’m lucky enough to still be here then everyday there is something more for me to achieve and a chance to make a difference.
How much has social media played a role in the success of your brand?
Social media has been amazing. We’ve been lucky to work with a few different influencers who helped raise brand awareness, but who also love and believe in our products.
You also produce wax melts at Rosebuds Aromas, do you find that wax melts are the latest home décor must have or are people still only interested in candles?
I have found that wax melts are more of the latest décor for home fragrances, but I equally feel that those who are into mindfulness and self-love (which happens to be a large part of my customer base) prefer candles with purpose.
Rosebuds Aroma
How do you want people to feel when they first light one of your candles?
As mentioned previously, originally Rosebuds Aroma was created with the sole purpose of helping me on my recovery. Therefore, it is based on the 5 grounding techniques.
1. Things you can see
2. Things you can feel
3. Things you can hear
4. Things you can smell
5. Things you can taste
Candles are therapeutic and we have achieved four out of the 5 grounding techniques with our candles. By seeing the flame glow and dance a shadow on your wall, to smelling the sweet base notes of lavender essential oils and hearing the soft crackle from the flame. And if you’ve purchased a crystal candle you can remove the crystal and feel the stone.
I want people to feel grounded and our candles can most certainly help with that.
Our readers love to travel, what destination is at the top of your bucket list, and would you ever take a candle with you on your travels?
My dream is to go to Bali, and as soon as it is possible that is first trip on my list. I would absolutely take a few candles on my travels, its important I stay grounded and motivated wherever I go. Also the thought of being in such a picturesque location with my candle light flickering behind me whilst sipping on mojito’s watching the sun go down, is my definition of a holiday.
What’s next for you and your brand?
The dream is to have Rosebuds Aroma in Highstreet stores around the UK. We also hope to expand our fragrance range with different essential oil blends to create even more purposeful products.
Where can people find out more about Rosebuds Aroma?
You can find out more about us at www.rosebudsaroma.co.uk If you’d like to see us manufacturing our products you can find us on both Facebook and Instagram at @RosebudsAroma
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