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Longton woman’s candle business is warming up nicely

Posted on - 19th April, 2017 - 12:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Business, Penwortham, Preston News
Sally Bennett is confident she can get her product into major retailers
Sally Bennett is confident she can get her product into major retailers

A Preston candle-maker is setting her sights on becoming a household name.

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Sally Bennett, 27, launched Beanmade Candles four months ago after teaching herself how to make the waxy products.

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Supported by Boost – the Lancashire Business Growth Hub’s support programme – the Longton business is beginning to get traction after Sally brought back her business idea while studying in China.

Sally’s candles are made from soy wax and soybean oil meaning they are cleaner than paraffin wax.

The graduate from the University of Central Lancashire said: “The response so far has been great and I’ve already got a strong customer following. The whole process has been so exciting – and I’m learning a lot along the way.

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“I’m not from a business background but I’m very independent and have always wanted to do something for myself.

“I found out about Boost after attending a networking event and the support has been really valuable. The workshops have taught me to ‘think bigger’ and enabled me to see the bigger picture and all the opportunities. It’s also helped me to plan. As a new business owner, I didn’t really have anybody to ask – when you start a new job you have a boss – but when it’s just you it’s different. I’ve met a lot of other entrepreneurs through Boost too and we’ve been able to help each other.”

“As I started in China I’d eventually like to export back there, I think the way forward will be to outsource parts of the business – if I had a manufacturing site I don’t think I’d be able to focus on the growth of business as much and ultimately that’s what I want to do.”

Sally working with her wax
Sally working with her wax

Sally had been working in product development in the food industry for Marks and Spencer.

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She decided to moved to Shanghai to study Mandarin and that’s when she spotted the gap in the market for her handmade products.

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Head of entrepreneurial solutions at Winning Pitch Rona McFall said: “Sally has turned her business dream into a reality and we’re thrilled to have been able to support her in getting this venture up and running. Establishing a business involves many unknowns but Sally is a great example of somebody who is making the most of all the support which is available and we’d encourage other people in the same boat to get in touch and find out how we can help them.”

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