Before Casa De Lumière

For a long time, following my dream just wasn’t possible. As a single mum of three, living in a country where I didn’t have family or a support network, my children always came first. And I’ll never regret that.

I worked around them and did whatever jobs I could to keep us going. I cleaned the school, worked in a call centre, became a shopkeeper, a warehouse worker, and even a finance administrator. Each job was another step to make sure my children were cared for. It wasn’t easy, but it kept us going and taught them the value of hard work, gratitude, and never giving up.

They’re good kids, and I couldn’t have asked for better. They could have made life difficult, but instead they made it easier for me to stand on my own. They supported each other and never let me feel alone, and for that, I’ll forever be grateful.

Looking back, I know I made the right choice.

All three of my children have now earned their degrees, and I couldn’t be prouder of them.

Now that they’re grown up, I finally have the chance to do something I once had to put aside. The creation of Casa De Lumière came at the perfect time. I’m now in my final year studying Business Management (BA Hons), and my hope is to give CDL my full focus once I complete my degree. It feels like everything has aligned just when it was meant to.

Finding my rhythm

Like every maker, I learned through trial and error. I overheated wax, picked the wrong wicks, and ended up with candles that looked nothing like what I imagined. But I kept learning. I kept going.

There were times I doubted myself and questioned if it was worth it. But deep down, I knew I wasn’t ready to give up. Candle after candle, mistake after mistake, things slowly started to fall into place.

The message that kept me going

One day, I wrote these words and stuck them to the wall of my workspace:

If all you have is courage, keep going.
If no one believes in you but you still do, keep going.

That little note became my quiet reminder. Progress doesn’t have to be big or loud. It just needs heart and persistence.

From a spare room dream to something real

Every order, every kind word, and every returning customer means more to me than I can ever say. Casa De Lumière may still be small, but it’s real. It’s living proof that patience, courage, and small beginnings can grow into something beautiful.

And to the amazing candle-making community, thank you. Your encouragement, tips, and honest advice have meant so much along the way. It’s a space full of people who truly understand the process, the learning, and the love that goes into every pour.

“Sometimes life only asks for one thing...  a heart that refuses to give up.”

So if you ever light one of my candles, I hope it gives you a little spark of courage to chase whatever you’ve been holding back. Start where you are, use what you have, and just keep going.

Even the smallest light can change everything. 
You just have to keep it burning.