Hobby turns into a bright new business for Inverness woman
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A young woman has set up an environmentally friendly business after losing her job during the pandemic.
Erin Hrycenko (24) who lives in Holm, has set up a candle and wax melts business, Perfect Scents Highland, that she hopes will allow people to buy a quality local product at a fair price.
Ms Hrycenko says her family, and her partner and his family have been the testers-in-chief when it comes to getting the right mix of smells to launch onto the market, and hopes her products will help people to de-stress in these toxic times.
She said: "I worked for Clarks shoe shop for seven years, since I was still at school. So it was quite a blow when I was made redundant last December.
"As my partner Chris was working from home, I felt that I needed something to do. I like candles and I have always been interested in learning how to make them.
"From last March until the end of the year I started making candles, at first playing about as something to keep myself busy. But the more I got into making them, the more I learned and with Chris' support I decided that I would start to sell them.
"One of the things that I am really passionate about is making sure the candles I sell are as environmentally friendly as possible. I am very interested in David Attenburgh and looking at the way in which we consume things.
"So, my candles are made without using paraffin which is actually a product of crude oil. The wax in my candles are made from a soy and coconut wax blend with carefully selected fragrances. All the candles and wax melts are completely vegan friendly and cruelty free.
"Further to that, I believe it’s important that we do what we can to protect our planet, which is why every last piece of my packaging is completely recyclable or biodegradable."
Ms Hrycenko continued: "I want the candle to smell as good as the first time every time they are lit. They should smell wonderful all the way down to the very end. Each one is hand made."
The candles and wax melts come in scents such as pear and freesia, peony blush, Champagne and roses, coconut lime, strawberry and rhubarb, dark honey and tobacco, and fresh linen.
She continued: "There has been research into the de–stressing nature of candles and that is something I hope that my candles will help people to do."
To see Ms Hrycenko range of candles and wax melts visit https://perfectscentshighland.co.uk/.
