Ignite Candles wasn’t born in a boardroom or brainstormed over lattes. Nope — it began in bed. Literally.

Our founder was a full-time headteacher with a packed schedule and a passion for education — until long COVID brought everything to a screeching halt. Body said “nope,” but the brain said “I’m still here, pal.” With muscles on strike but the mind flickering like a stubborn tealight, something had to give.

Enter candle making. What began as a way to keep the mind glowing during recovery quickly turned into a full-blown wax addiction. Scents were tested. Wicks were wicked. The kitchen looked like a waxy crime scene. But slowly, through trial, error, and singed eyebrows, the flame of a new purpose was lit.

Fast forward a few years and a big move from Yorkshire to Hartlepool, and we opened our first shop in September 2024. Not just any shop — a dream fully melted and poured into reality. Along the way, we even convinced mum to move up from Wales and join the madness. Now we’re proudly a family-run business, powered by love, caffeine, and dangerously strong opinions about fragrance notes.

Thanks to a game-changing innovation grant (and a whole lot of graft), Ignite Candles is now in full glow. We’re proof that even when life blows out your flame, you can relight it — preferably with something that smells like rhubarb & custard or “freshly baked nostalgia.”

So if you’re into weirdly wonderful scents, lovingly hand-poured chaos, and candles with character — you’re in the right place.