Scarly has trusted us for several years now. We supply carefully selected ingredients for candle making, suited to hobbyists and professionals alike.
Who is Scarly?
Célyne Ignaczak, to give her real name, has lived with a disability since birth: her left arm ends in a stump. Because of it, being accepted and understood was not always easy for her as a child and at school. But Célyne stayed strong, and these trials have forged her character throughout her 28 years (her age at the time of the interview).
Today, she tells us the story behind her business. From fabric face masks during Covid to candles, discover Scarly’s success story.
How did you get into candle making?
“It all started with making fabric face masks during Covid. My community was already really involved. I was already active on social media, selling homemade masks to fund my prosthesis. That went on for 7 months. After the government’s decisions about masks, I wanted to do something else with my hands. So I started making candles for myself, and lots of people started wanting them. Even if it wasn’t for the prosthesis, they wanted to be part of it. It was pretty crazy to see so much enthusiasm!”
And that is how candles became part of her story…
“I’ve always been really into candles, and so has my family.
Right from the start, success came at lightning speed: in barely 20 minutes, my first 200 candles had found buyers… and it has never stopped since.”
A career choice that changed everything
“Very quickly, I had to make a choice. I had back trouble, a slipped disc that came out of nowhere. Too much work, too much strain. At the time, I was working as a kitchen designer, and alongside that, my shop was starting to do really well. So I had to choose. I left my permanent job to focus on growing my business.”
A decisive turning point that marked the real start of her entrepreneurial adventure.
“90% of it all happened at home: I was selling, preparing orders and shipping from my place. There was stuff everywhere: in the kitchen, in the dining room, in the bathroom. Then, in January, we were lucky enough to get premises that could double as a shop, and I didn’t hesitate.”
A close-knit community
“Getting these premises was a huge opportunity to meet our followers. From the very beginning, some of them drove 4, 6, even 10 hours to come and see us. Some even booked weekends in Mulhouse just to pay us a visit. We quickly felt how happy people were to meet us in real life and share a moment with us.”
Her mum joins the adventure overnight to help her daughter
“In the end, everything moved really fast. We were able to hire a first person, and then a second followed: my mum. It’s quite an incredible story. After 17 years with the same employer, she decided to resign overnight to join me. She joined last November, all within 24 hours. Being able to carry on this adventure with my mother was an incredible moment.”
Rethinking things, and a new range to keep improving
“Everything went really well and we carried on quietly with our lives, even if we sometimes had to take a hard look at ourselves. Last February was a really important milestone. We chose to create a cleaner range so we could keep improving. We’ve grown over time, thanks in part to Terre de Bougies, who have supported us along the way.”
A journey that shows how every adjustment helps you grow a little more.
“It’ll soon be 2 years. We’re proud of how far we’ve come: we went from being self-employed to running a company. I remember the early days, when I was still doing everything in my living room or my kitchen, using a bain-marie and saucepans. Now we have a big 70 L machine, several orders a day and an employee.”
What helped you make a name for yourself?
“Social media, of course! I was already an influencer, talking about my disability, and making masks helped my community grow. To recap, at the start of Covid I was selling handmade fabric masks to fund my prosthesis. In 7 months, we managed to raise €10,000 for it. It was absolutely crazy! Talking openly about my disability, about self-acceptance, about my fight and about the prosthesis, which costs €10,000 every 3 years, brought me close to my community.”
So today, is Scarly’s shop a brand?
“Honestly, I don’t know if I can really call it a brand, because it all comes from me, it’s very personal. But it’s true that when people stop me in the street, I think to myself: well… yes, La boutique de Scarly is becoming a brand. It’s slowly sinking in.”
Did you run into any difficulties getting your premises – red tape, for example?
Sometimes you have to wear several hats at once.
“We were lucky on that front. We came across premises that used to be a hairdresser’s. Even so, we had to redo everything, including the electrics, and it all happened a year ago, during the hectic festive season. That was when the number of orders and followers exploded, so I even came in at night to do the painting and decorating. It was quite a time: I was wearing three different hats.”
A defining chapter that captures all the intensity and versatility that running your own business demands.
“We were well supported. Some followers even wanted to help us, which of course we turned down. Their messages of support gave us the strength to keep pushing ourselves throughout that hectic period.”
Proof that a community’s momentum can truly carry a project.
“We still had to push back the launch of the new range by a month and a half because our containers were delayed. Something was bound to go wrong, but apart from that and a few problems with the premises (asbestos, for example), we were very lucky!”
It started with candles, but are you now branching out into other products too?
Diversifying into home fragrance, wax melts and even soaps.
“We noticed that people were asking for wax melts, but also for diffusers and sprays. We really do have everything you need to scent your whole home. We already offer candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, flower diffusers (something few of us offer), wax warmers and even lighters.”
What was the biggest hurdle in growing your business?
Legislation and standards: a tough but essential step
“Legislation, without a doubt. At the very beginning, I sold for two months without complying with the standards. Reality soon caught up with me when people came down on me on social media. I told myself: OK, I’m going to have to hang in there and do my homework, because this is serious stuff.”
A powerful reminder of how important it is to meet regulatory requirements right from the start.
“In the candle world, people don’t talk about it enough. You often end up starting out without even realising how many standards you have to comply with. I learnt on the job. You can’t afford to launch on a whim: you obviously need to wake up to this very quickly so you can meet all these requirements.”
Avery’s offer and Terre de Bougies’ support save a huge amount of time
“For my labels, for example, I work on my computer with a Terre de Bougies partner, Avery. Their tools have saved me precious time in setting up my labels. They’re the ideal partner.”
A collaboration that shows just how much the right tools can boost your efficiency day to day.
“As for Terre de Bougies, your warm, personal support has been invaluable to us, especially for everything to do with standards. You’ve always been there for us. I was lucky enough to build this special relationship very quickly, which allowed me to grow the business with far more peace of mind.”
How many different fragrances do you have in your range?
“We’re easily close to a hundred, counting the limited-edition fragrances that come and go.”
If you had to pick just one fragrance, which would it be?
“The Scarly fragrance, of course. Terre de Bougies can create fragrances with bespoke notes, and I’m proud to be able to offer my very own Scarly fragrance, which helps shape my image.”
Do you think the candle world is accessible and still has a long, bright future ahead of it?
“There’s no question that Do It Yourself (DIY) is on the rise, but it’s quality products that make the difference.”
- The pioneers of candle TikTok.
- The lockdowns worked in our favour.
- Today, competition is fierce: some succeed, others don’t. Market conditions are pulling our figures down, because some sellers are still self-employed or charge lower prices without meeting the standards.
“That’s how the game works, and we accept it. Some fellow makers are fighting alongside us to promote quality products that respect both the standards and the environment, and that matters to all of us. We’re proud to see that people increasingly understand the importance of quality, which justifies a price that won’t necessarily match that of a poor-quality candle or cheap raw materials.”
DIY is genuinely on the rise, and it’s here to stay.
What would you say to people who want to take the plunge and become self-employed?
“Don’t be afraid to embark on the candle adventure, despite the challenges. Go for it! It’s an incredible experience that you live every day, with its highs and lows. Leave nothing to chance, whether it’s temperatures, dosages or standards, which you really must not overlook. You could have a lot to lose.”
A testimony that clearly shows the high standards and rigour this field demands.
“I’ve had this passion for candles since I was a little girl. Back then, the candles I bought were of very poor quality, but that same passion for fragrance was already there. You do have to be aware that day-to-day life can be stressful, and of course the road can be full of obstacles. But today, knowing that this childhood passion lets me enjoy the scent of my own candles when I invite people over makes me immensely proud!”
Words that convey the perseverance and strength of a passion that has become reality.
“Don’t hesitate, go for it! It’s an opportunity to proudly showcase your skills and creativity. It’s hard work, admittedly, but it’s worth all the gold in the world.”
Read all our inspiring interviews with candle makers.
Conclusion
Scarly’s journey highlights the resilience and creativity it takes to turn a passion into a real entrepreneurial adventure. Her story shows how determination can pave the way to great success.
To continue this series of portraits, read our interview with Patricia, founder of Miaou Candle, who in turn shares her unique experience of handcrafted candles.
