Today we’d like to introduce you to Hattie Kingsley.
Hi Hattie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hearth and Craft Co. was born from a love of handmade goods, cozy rituals and the art of slowing down. What began in 2017 with a name—Hearth, the warm space by the fire, and Craft, the joy of making—grew into a homegrown candle studio. Quotes that started it all. Each candle is hand-poured with care, rooted in the spirit of Hygge and everyday whimsy, inviting you to create your own cozy moments.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like any journey, running an in-home candle business comes with its challenges, but success is all about how you handle them. It is essential to trust your intuition and run your business on your own timeline. Early on, I was told the candle market was oversaturated. However, I’ve found that every maker brings a unique personality to their brand that naturally attracts their ideal audience and customers. To stay steady, I focus on keeping overhead low while sourcing the highest quality, candle safe ingredients. Diversifying my income has also been crucial for navigating changing sales cycles. I accomplish this through a monthly candle subscription box, at least one monthly pop-up market, leaning on the busy fall and winter seasons, wholesale orders, and introducing new seasonal collections, products and scents.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I craft seasonal products and scents designed to weave a sense of nostalgia and whimsy into everyday life. By keeping our aesthetic and labels minimal and clean, the products fit effortlessly into any home decor style. The simplicity allows the imagination to take the lead, letting the fragrances themselves do the storytelling.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I had a very vivid imagination – I was always creating worlds, arranging my stuffed animals, and dreaming up scenarios. As an only child for 12 years, that independent streak turned into a lifelong ambition to run my own business and be my own boss. That drive manifested early, as soon as I was 15, I landed my first job as a cashier at a fast-casual cafe and worked my way up to assistant manager. Looking back, stepping into the working world at that age taught me the customer service and operational foundations that ultimately helped lay the groundwork for running my own candle business today.
If I were to go back in time, I wish I would have at least minored in marketing in college! But at the time I didn’t know what I really wanted to do, and I ended up with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and minor in child, youth and family studies. My path didn’t really end up going that direction, but I am so thankful for my education and for the life experiences I had afterward that continue to inspire my candle business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hearthandcraftcandleco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hearthandcraftcandleco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hearthandcraftcandleco/
