FINDING your passion can be a difficult thing, but for one mum-of-two it came just at the right time during a difficult spell of post-natal anxiety.
Following an interest in wax melts, candles, and fragrances, Clare Louise, from Laffak, said that experimenting with her own products "changed everything" as it eased the social anxiety she developed after the birth of her first child and her return to work.
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The new-found hobby gave the new mum something to focus on, and as others seemed to love her sweet-smelling products just as much as she did, Clare has found herself at the forefront of an 800-strong online community; where she advertises, shares, and sells all her latest stock.
From St Helens to Scotland, and Ireland to South Wales, Clare's homemade products have been going down a treat, and she now wants to expand her part-time business and set up at market stalls and craft fairs in and around her hometown, with the long-term dream to open her own permanent premises.
Clare, 36, said: "I absolutely LOVE making wax melts, it calms me whilst I make them and I feel I have found something I enjoy and I am good at.
"It started as a hobby because it was something I enjoyed but now I am ready to turn it into a [full time] business.
"I have repeat customers from when I first started in 2019, and it means everything to me and gives me great satisfaction that they repeatedly return.
"Hopefully one day the dream will come true and I will have my own premises, where new and existing customers can come and visit and treat themselves and their homes to my products."
After putting out requests on social media of where she can take 'Mrs Stephens Home Scents', Clare said she was overwhelmed with the community's reaction as she was flooded with answers and helpful responses.
Clare, who currently works part time at a dental surgery, added: "I honestly can’t believe the support I have been given!
"[I've had] so many recommendations, stall offers, personal messages of love and kindness too.
"I really wasn’t expecting it but my social media was just flooded with the support from [the] people of St Helens, and I just hope I get to meet them all one day and show them that the kindness they showed me went a long way."
Clare's 'Mrs Stephens Home Scents' Facebook group can be found here.
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