Each week we put the spotlight on one of our Product Partners so they can share their stories and inspiration behind their business. We will also be asking them a few questions around their challenges and successes.
This week we meet Lisa Fretwell from Naturally Essential who makes amazingly smelling (and natural) wax melts and diffusers. When Lisa first spoke with us about joining the TGIOF Marketplace, we got excited about her passion for what she does and her learnings along the way. And if you look further down, you will se which one of Lisa’s products are her personal favourite, and we would have to agree, such a lovely and uplifting smell.
How it all began.
I started researching different methods of making candles when my daughter and I noticed that we were getting a sooty residue on our ceilings and itchy throats from the candles we were burning.
I started researching what was in the candles we were burning and learnt that most conventional candles are generally created from paraffin, which is a petroleum by product that understandably creates an unhealthy air quality when burned.
Typically, paraffin candles contain toxic synthetic fragrances and emit fumes that are similar to those of a diesel exhaust! Carcinogens and toxins often linked to allergies, asthma and irritations are released when paraffin candles are burned. I also found out that even though some candles are labelled as soy candles they will often have paraffin added in to them which is why I started to make 100% soy candles with pure essential oils.
Soy wax is a natural product from a renewable source, a vegetable wax from the oil off soy beans. It is safe for the skin and respiratory system, it is also biodegradable and cleans up well with soap and water. With all this in mind I am sure you will agree when combined with essential oils it makes the perfect candle or wax melt!
For me it has always been about protecting my families health with clean burning candles and products and sharing these products by establishing Naturally Essential.
The biggest challenge I have found is getting used to the world of social media, hash tagging, reposting and so on. I am now feeling more confident with this and actually find it quite satisfying now that I can promote my products through social media.
I love my products, and what has made me feel really proud is the amount of compliments I have received from customers saying how impressed they have been with how well the fragrances from my products fill their homes and how happy they are knowing they are clean burning and 100% natural.
Not to sound too cheesy but I wish I had started this years ago.
100% natural 100% honest
For me it’s the Lemongrass, Geranium and Cypress reed diffuser. It gently fills the whole room with its fresh fragrance without being overpowering. Every time I walk into the room it just makes me feel really happy and uplifted.
Julia Vearncombe, found of skin:genius knows only too well how debilitating acne can be, especially
