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We've just come out of a pandemic, the cost of living is going up and economic uncertainty seems to stalk small businesses wherever they go... But fresh faces are continuing to pop up on the high street, while other retailers are making some exciting changes.
Each day this week, Express will be profiling those who are braving it all. Today, we start with Don Street's newest name, Pretty Okay Candle Co...
Claire Bethell describes her shop as a hobby that’s turned into a business. The idea for Pretty Okay Candles has its genesis in the pandemic, when Claire found herself furloughed and with an abundance of spare time.
Claire absorbed herself in her hobbies, such as candle-making. She started experimenting, spending the long-lockdown days perfecting her craft until she finally had a breakthrough. Rather than a cry of ‘Eureka!', Claire muttered to herself: “Now, these ones are pretty okay..."
The name has stuck.
Pictured: Claire Bethell outside Pretty Okay Candles
Claire’s candles now stock the new store on Don Street. The store, which has been open since February, is Claire’s first venture of this kind.
Claire runs Pretty Okay pretty much by herself, although her friend Joanna has come out of retirement especially to help out from time to time. All the candles in the shop, of which there is a vast selection, are made by Claire herself in her workshop in St Martin. The wax used is all natural, using a coconut-wax blend rather than paraffin.
Indeed, Claire is keen to stress that her shop strives to be ‘pretty okay’ to the environment as well. None of the products have any link to animal testing, her shop is almost entirely free of plastic and Claire encourages people who have purchased either candles or diffusers to pop back in for a refill so as not to waste packaging.
Pretty Okay Candles is also building a thriving community. Claire has started a monthly candle club, subscribing to which sees one of Claire’s handmade candles delivered straight to your door. So far, there are 63 members…and counting.
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Pictured: Some of Claire's candle collection
Moreover, Claire is running a series of candle-making workshops in the shop throughout the week and on weekends.
Each workshop can fit 12 people, and sees all sorts trying their hands at candle making. She’s had baby showers, Hen Do’s (giant inflatable penis included), 16th birthdays, 60th birthdays and even dates. Claire was also keen to mention, “men come too!”
Of course, Claire expressed some concern about the present economic climate - this certainly hasn’t been an easy time to open a first business.
However, things seem to be going well thus far, she hasn’t had to raise her prices just yet, even with the increasing challenge of shipping material to and from Jersey, her workshop sessions are completely booked up until February. Clearly, she’s doing something right.
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Claire wants her shop to be a “sensory experience… something you can’t get online.”
However, if you want to find out more about Pretty Okay Candles, you can visit the website, where you can also sign up for workshops and the monthly club, HERE.
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