WHY WE LOVE... IVY LIGHT
We’re determined to keep shouting about the incredible local suppliers who we are so proud to be able to support and stock. This week we caught up with IVY LIGHT; a Norwich based family run business creating beautiful hand-poured natural soy wax candles (which are non-toxic, cruelty free and vegan friendly!) available to buy from us in store and online.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Megan, I’m 25 and was born in Norwich. I have always been motivated to start my own business, finally the time was right and here we are today with Ivy Light!
What made you set up Ivy Light?
I have always had a thing for candles, you can never have too many! I have always been particular about what fragrances I burn in my home. After buying candles and not always being satisfied with the quality or design, I decided to do some research and take the plunge to create a brand of quality candles which I hoped others would love too. It was important that the brand name was meaningful to me, so I therefore chose the name Ivy after my wonderful great nanny (or Big Nanny to me) turning 102 this month she really is the light of all of our lives. Here she is!
Who is part of your team?
I currently work full time for the NHS, so this is something I do on my own alongside this. I make candles all night long and during the weekends! Luckily, I have the support my partner Tom who helps look after our supplies and stock levels as well as my mum and nanny who have always been there to help with labelling and wrapping!
Where do you source your ingredients?
I use UK suppliers for all our ingredients, I also make conscious efforts to choose products which are cruelty free, vegan friendly and those which reduce the impact on the environment. I think it is important to support small business, so we source our boxes and labels from other small business across the UK.
How has the current pandemic affected you and what are your plans for the future? (Have you learnt anything along the way which has actually been positive?)
The planning of Ivy Light began in December last year, however we didn’t launch until May this year. As we launched during the pandemic, it is hard to compare to what it may have been like if Covid didn’t exist! However, fortunately for me I can say that there has been nothing but positivity since launching. With the support from my family and friends, and the general movement of shop small and support local I have been really surprised by the response so far with sales through our website from customers all over the UK, which I’m so grateful for! We have transformed our spare room into a workshop, which we have quickly outgrown, so we are planning on moving into a bigger space where we can have more worktops and storage space whilst planning our 2021 range.
What's the best thing about the area you live in?
Last year Tom and I bought our first house in a small village on the outskirts of Norwich, so to us it is perfect. We are very lucky to have some amazing walks linking to the surrounding villages. Close to family and friends, we have everything we need here.