two years of postcode — reflecting on our journey
On August 22nd, 2022, we celebrated two years of postcode pours. From a COVID-lockdown kitchen table project, dropping off hand-poured Putney SW15 candles to local shoppers at East Putney tube station while masked up and observing social distancing, to now — a thriving business that has reached candle lovers all over the world while staying true to its roots of celebrating home and contributing to charity.
August was a busy month for postcode, with our birthday and the launch of our new charity gift set, the “home” bundle (which original supporters of the business may remember from before we relaunched the business with even better candles), so now there’s finally a bit of time and space to reflect on the highs and lows of building postcode as a side hustle.
Here are some moments I’ll always remember from this journey:
The day I ordered my first candle supplies in March 2020 to begin experimenting with candle making in my kitchen. The whole house smelled like petals and patchouli, our first fragrance, and while the first few were wonky, I soon got the hang of it (and Ross helped out too!). A few days later, the first labels I had designed arrived, and I was elated: there’s nothing like the feeling of making something and holding the product of your creativity in your hands.
An evening lockdown walk with Ross to Wandsworth Park when the comments section of my candle listing on a local FB group was blowing up with requests for candles. Within minutes, more than twenty people had expressed interest in buying a Putney candle, and Ross and I were just giggling with utter disbelief that this was really happening.
When brand designer Imogen from Sisterbrand (formerly Bijoux Creative) sent over the design files with postcode’s new branding and logo. We went through a few revisions, and when it came down to the final few choices, it was an easy gut-driven decision to choose the branding that we have stuck with until today. Talk about true timelessness!
When we got a mass order of more than 100 candles for a major brand’s Christmas mailer, and I was spending 10pm-12am on weeknights pouring shedloads of candles that would be sent in influencer packages all over the UK. It was an incredible milestone moment for us but bloody hard work!
Christmas seasons in general with the business have been totally manic — in the best way possible. Late nights of packing, crossed fingers about whether last parcels will make it in time for Christmas Eve, supply chain stress: the list honestly goes on. Candles are a very seasonal product (much more popular in chilly winter months), and it’s nice to be able to rev up the business towards the end of the year and take it easy during the summer. That’s the kind of balance we’re after!
The moment our second restock of candles from our supplier arrived, mostly shattered. Glass was all over the floor, broken bits of wax, and so much unfortunate wastage. After a minor meltdown, we managed to get photos of the damage for the supplier’s insurance and got the candles re-poured. Our amazing suppliers were total stars about the whole thing — we are very, very lucky to have them!
Traveling to Hastings for a postcode shoot with Sally Williams Photography this year was a definite highlight — I loved the highly professional shots we came away with, particularly the product shots featuring elements of each candle’s scent like lavender, orange, and eucalyptus!
All this, and so much more. Running a business is filled with overwhelming joy and existential dread (and everything in between), but we are grateful for customers who have supported us throughout the evolution of the business and who choose to celebrate their homes with our candles. Here’s to many more years of postcode!
Xo,
Veena
