Scarly has trusted us for several years now. We supply carefully selected ingredients for candle making , suitable for both individuals and professionals.
Who is Scarly?
Célyne Ignaczak, her real name, has had a disability since birth. Her left arm has a stump. With this disability, it wasn't always easy for her to be accepted and understood during her childhood and school years. But Célyne has remained strong and has forged her character through these various challenges for 28 years, at the time of this interview.
Today, she tells us her story related to her business. From fabric masks during Covid to candles, discover Scarly's success story.
Interview questions
- How did you come to start the candle?
- What made you famous?
- So today Scarly's shop is a brand?
- Regarding obtaining the premises, did you have any administrative difficulties, for example?
- Initially, it was candles, but are you developing other media now too?
- What was the most challenging moment in developing your business?
- How many different fragrances do you have in your range?
- If you had to choose just one fragrance, which would it be?
- Do you think the candle world is accessible and still has a long, bright future ahead of it?
- What would you say to people who want to embark on the adventure of self-employment?
How did you come to start the candle?
"It all started with making fabric masks during Covid. My community was already very involved. I was already present on social media, selling homemade masks to finance my prosthesis. It lasted 7 months. Following the government's decisions regarding masks, I wanted to do something else with my hands. I then started making candles for myself, and many people started wanting them. Even if it wasn't for the prosthesis, they wanted to participate. It was pretty crazy to see such enthusiasm!"
And this is how the candle becomes part of its history...
“I have always been very interested in candles, and so has my family.
From the very beginning, the success was dazzling: in barely 20 minutes, my first 200 candles were sold... and it has never stopped."
A professional choice to change everything
"Very quickly, a choice was imposed on me. I had a back problem, a slipped disc that hit me. Too much work, too much overload. At the time, I was working as a kitchen designer; at the same time, my shop was starting to do really well. So I had to make a choice. I left my permanent contract to focus on developing my business."
A decisive turning point which marks the true beginning of his entrepreneurial adventure.
"I did 90% of everything at home: I sold, I prepared, I shipped from home. There was stuff everywhere: in the kitchen, in the dining room, in the bathroom. Finally, in January, we were lucky enough to acquire a place that could be used as a shop, I didn't hesitate."
A close-knit community
"Acquiring this space was a huge opportunity to meet our subscribers. From the beginning, subscribers would drive 4, 6, even 10 hours to come see us. Some even took weekends in Mulhouse to come and visit us. We quickly realized how happy people were to be able to meet us in person and share a moment with us."
Her mother joins the adventure overnight to help her daughter
"In the end, everything happened very quickly. We were able to hire the first person, then a second person followed: my mother. The story is quite incredible. After 17 years of service, she chose to resign overnight to join me. She arrived last November, within 24 hours. It was an incredible moment to be able to continue this adventure with my mother."
Challenges and a new range for improving
"Everything went very well, we continued our little lives, even if sometimes we had to question ourselves. Last February was a very important step. We made the choice to have a cleaner range in order to improve. We grew over time and also thanks to Terre de Bougies who supported us."
A journey that demonstrates that each adjustment allows you to grow a little more.
"It's almost been two years. We're proud of this great journey; we've gone from being self-employed to a business. I remember the beginnings, when I was still doing all this in my living room or kitchen using a bain-marie and a saucepan. Now, we have a large 70L machine with several orders per day and one employee."
What made you famous?
"Social media, of course! I was already an influencer because of my disability, and making masks helped grow my community. As a reminder, I was selling handmade fabric masks at the start of Covid, which were used to finance my prosthesis. In 7 months, we managed to raise €10,000 to finance my prosthesis. It was completely crazy! Talking openly about my disability, self-acceptance, my struggle, and the prosthesis, which represents €10,000 every 3 years, allowed me to be close to my community."
So today, Scarly's shop is a brand?
"Honestly, I don't know if I can really call it a brand, because everything comes from me, it's very personal. But it's true that when people stop me in the street, I tell myself that finally... yes, La boutique de Scarly is becoming a brand. I'm becoming aware of it little by little."
Regarding obtaining the premises, did you have any administrative difficulties, for example?
Sometimes you have to wear several hats.
"We were lucky in this regard. We came across a space that previously belonged to a hairdresser. We still needed to redo everything, including the electricity, and all of this happened a year ago, during the busy holiday season. It was the time when the number of orders and subscribers exploded, so I even came in the evenings to do the painting and decorating. It was a great time when I was wearing the hats of three different professions."
A remarkable passage that illustrates the intensity and versatility of entrepreneurship.
"We were well supported, some subscribers even wanted to help us, which we obviously refused. Their messages of support gave us the strength to constantly surpass ourselves during this turbulent period."
Proof that the momentum of a community can really carry a project.
"We still had to delay the launch of the new range by a month and a half due to delays in the supply of containers. There had to be something, but apart from that and a few inconveniences concerning the premises (asbestos for example), we were very lucky!"
Initially, it was candles, but are you developing other media now too?
Diversify with home fragrance, melts and even soaps.
"We noticed that people were asking for melts, but also diffusers and sprays. We really have what it takes to scent the entire home. We already offer candles, melts, reed diffusers, flower diffusers (which few of us offer), burners and even lighters."
What was the most challenging moment in developing your business?
Legislation and standards: a difficult but obligatory step
"The legislation, very clearly. At the very beginning, I sold for two months without standards. Reality quickly caught up with me when I was hit on social media. I said to myself: OK, I'm going to have to hang on, find out because it's tough."
A strong reminder of the importance of complying with regulatory requirements from the outset.
"In the candle world, we don't talk about it enough. Often, we find ourselves starting out without even realizing the number of standards to respect. I learned on the job. You can't just jump in like that on a whim; you obviously have to become aware of this very quickly in order to respect all these conditions."
Avery's offer and Terre de Bougies support save considerable time
"For my labels, for example, I work with my computer and a Terre de Bougies partner, Avery. Their tools have allowed me to save precious time in setting up my labels. They're an ideal partner."
A collaboration that shows how the right tools can improve efficiency in everyday life.
"Regarding Terre de Bougies, this very personal support from you was invaluable to us, particularly for everything concerning standards. You were always there. I was lucky enough to establish this privileged contact very quickly, which allowed me to develop the business much more calmly."
How many different fragrances do you have in your range?
"We easily approach a hundred, each time including the temporary scents."
If you had to choose just one fragrance, which would it be?
"The Scarly fragrance, of course. Terre de Bougies offers to create perfumes with tailor-made notes, and I'm proud to be able to offer my own Scarly perfume, which helps shape my image."
Do you think the candle world is accessible and still has a long, bright future ahead of it?
"There is undoubtedly an emergence of Do It Yourself (DIY), but it is quality products that make the difference."
- The pioneers of TikTok “candle.”
- The lockdowns worked in our favor.
- Today, competition is fierce: some succeed, others don't. The market situation means our figures are falling, because some are still self-employed or charge lower prices without complying with the standards."
"That's the game, and we accept it. Some colleagues are fighting on our side to promote quality products that respect standards and the environment; it's important for all of us. We're proud to see that people are increasingly understanding the importance of quality, justifying a price that isn't necessarily the same as a candle or poor-quality raw materials."
DIY is experiencing a real emergence, and it's here to stay.
What would you say to people who want to embark on the adventure of self-employment?
"Don't be afraid to embark on the candle adventure despite certain challenges. Go for it! It's an incredible experience that we live every day with its ups and downs. You mustn't leave anything to chance, whether it's the temperature, the dosages, or the standards that you mustn't neglect. You can risk a lot."
A testimony which clearly illustrates the demands and rigor required in this field.
"I've had this passion for candles since I was little. At that time, I was buying very poor quality candles, but there was already this same scented passion. You still have to be aware that it's a daily life that can be stressful and the journey can of course be strewn with pitfalls. But today, to think that this childhood passion allows me to enjoy the scent of my own candles when I invite people to my home is a huge source of pride!"
Words that convey the perseverance and strength of a passion made reality.
"Don't hesitate, go for it! It's an opportunity to showcase your know-how and creativity with pride. It's work, sure, but it's worth all the gold in the world."
Find all the inspiring interviews with candle creators.
Conclusion
Scarly's journey highlights the resilience and creativity required to transform a passion into a true entrepreneurial adventure. Her story illustrates how determination can pave the way for great success.
Continuing this series of portraits, find the interview with Patricia, founder of Miaou Candle , who in turn shares her unique experience around artisanal candles.
