I'm Ricki, the founder of Selfmade Candle. A few years ago, I worked as a global events manager, often travelling from location to location and missing home. In my mini suitcase one of my staple items I'd carry around was my candle. Something to make me smell and experience home. There's something about smelling scents that are familiar to you and remind you of positive experiences, that can keep you going even in the darkest times.​

This is why during the Covid-19 Pandemic of 2020, I wanted to keep my wellness up. Without the possibility of going out to physical stores to buy some of my favourite artisan candles, I did what any maker would do, I made them myself.

We then hit a precipice when George Floyd was murdered. Like a lot of people i felt it viscerally. As a black woman, and through my own experiences of racism, both overt and systemic, I felt that there was something I needed to do. Some way in which I needed to help. This was how CONSCIOUS candles was born. A beacon of light even in the darkest times. I feel proud to know something that I am making with my hands is helping to both support this movement and keep people's spirits up.

Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.

- Albus Dumbledore