An unexpected love story.
This candle studio began as one of my 50 creative projects to celebrate my milestone birthday.
I had never made a candle before. But was intrigued.
Which is exactly the reason why it ended up on my #50for50 creative project list.
I thought, “This is gonna be easy. Let’s just get some wax, pour in a fragrance, add a wick. And that’s it. Candle-making, done.”
Turns out… not quite.
A whole new world opened up – and I got bitten by the candle-making bug.
And especially the idea to merge this with my coaching work on (self)leadership, time management, impostor syndrome and self-confidence.
And so I immersed myself in researching natural waxes, fragrances, wooden wicks, containers, …
Turns out that using all-natural soy wax with wooden wicks is quite the challenge and requires lots of testing and fine-tuning to get that burn and fragrance release exactly right.
So that the candle doesn’t burn too slowly, hindering a good scent throw. But not too fast either, reducing actual burn hours and fragrance release too.
By day, I’m a senior agile coach helping smart, driven professionals navigate time management, procrastination, impostor thoughts and self-confidence.
By night, I’m here – pouring, adjusting, refining.
And creating candles that don’t just look and smell good, but instigate some lasting change, one micro-shift at a time.
Because this is not just about candles.
It’s about the tiny daily moments when you’re struggling to focus, speak up or wind down.
I see each candle as a small behavioral change cue.
For tiny shifts and changes that compound and ripple out.
A fragrant change-instigator.
When you light it, but also when it’s just there – unlit and smelling deliciously.
The fire behind it all.
When the moment comes to draw my final breath,
I want to be able to look back on a life in which I pursued the things that were meaning-full to me.
I remind myself of this often.
And I’m not just saying it – I mean it.
It has led to many (small and big) choices in my career & life that seemed “illogical”, “out-of-character” or “silly”.
And that felt scary at the time.
Yet, it felt (and feels) more scary to NOT make those choices and end up with regrets at a time when I can’t change a thing anymore.
This might sound heavy-handed, but I’ve found it to actually be a powerful decision-making tool.
A reminder that our time is limited and precious.
And that it’s vital to make intentional choices – rather than get absorbed in the rat race of chasing things that look great on paper, but leave us feeling less than on the inside.
These candles are crafted for smart women with full calendars – who crave more space for themselves.
Less rushing.
No more endless to-do lists.
Less worrying about what others might think.
No more endless self-criticizing.
No more feeling as if there’s so much potential not coming out.
Instead, a focus on what truly matters.
Deliberate, defiant priorities.
Quiet, calm confidence.
Effective and efficient – without even requiring perfection.
More energized.
More fulfilled.
More of their work/life a true expression of themselves, their voice, their vision.
Rather than living out everybody else’s expectations and priorities.
Doing the “logical, responsible” thing and ending up in a life that looks good on paper, but feels less so on the inside.
These candles are small reminders to make small, tangible changes.
Towards a work/life that feels meaning-full, fulfilling and inspiring.
Because our time here is precious and limited.
So let’s use it intentionally.
