Today we’d like to introduce you to Trina Randall

Hi Trina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.

“Three years ago I was working for children’s social services. I’d been working there for ten years. I absolutely loved my job. I would wake up and look forward to going to work. Everyday was different, I loved supporting people, hearing people’s life stories. Some days things didn’t always go to plan, and there would be emergencies to tend to.

I worked with an incredible team of people who were my work colleagues as well as my friends. We would help and support each other. As much as I loved my job – it came with a flip side which sometimes took over my mind. I saw a lot of trauma, a lot of sad situations which couldn’t always be helped, nor had positive endings.

After a few years of working there I started to suffer from extreme anxiety attacks and depression. I had never experienced it before. At one point I reached breaking point, I was driving to work and could not hold it in anymore. I had to pull over my car and had a breakdown. I couldn’t breathe, felt dizzy and thought I was having a heart attack. I went home and felt like a failure, not being able to keep on top of my emotions. I went to see my GP who signed me off work, set up fortnightly reviews, and prescribed medication for anxiety and depression.

Every two weeks I would see my GP. I felt sorry for him that every time he saw me I had a face full of tears. But as time went on, the medication began to kick in. I was crying less and also found motivation to start going to the gym and ride my bike.

Six months later I started to feel a bit more like myself again. I returned to work and was keen to get back to doing what I loved, helping people. I decided to stop taking medication with the guidance of my GP. I’d also seen a counsellor for 12 sessions which really helped so things were looking up.

But as time went on, the pressures of work returned and I started to feel my mind and body change. I knew I was going down hill again and could feel a breakdown was coming. This time I spoke about it right away and went straight to my GP (again with a face filled with tears).

I was signed off work and started on the medication again. I felt like such a let down to my colleagues who I knew had to take on my caseload, this made me feel more anxious. But I knew what I had to look after myself, as my mind felt broken.

This mental health episode lasted around four months. The medication helped again and I returned to work on reduced hours.

Then lockdown happened. Everyone suddenly stopped running around, the world began working from home with only our thoughts for company. Thankfully I was at home with my son who was 13 at the time. We baked bread, decorated the house together, walked and went bike riding. Together we were happy in our little bubble. It was horrible not being able to see my daughter, who was living with her partner. My son would find me sometimes just sitting and crying. We loved being at home together, but it was a scary time, the unknown, I’d never been away from my daughter for that long.

Eventually me and my colleagues were asked to work back in the office and start doing home visits again. After a few months – it started to hit me. I was coming home every day so upset, sobbing! I remember one day I said to myself ‘I cant keep feeling like this’! I knew I needed to speak to someone right away.

Back to my amazing GP I went – with my usual emotional face full of tears. I expressed to him how I had felt.

I was signed off work again. This time I didn’t want to leave the house, and if I needed to, I would pace for hours before going out! My daughter would give me tasks to do to make me go out – even just to post a parcel for her. This did help, but I still found it so hard.

I knew something in my life had to change. I was feeling the lowest I’d ever been and didn’t see how I could move on from this one.

One day I was scrolling on my phone and ads of candles came up. I thought ‘Candles, I like candles, why dont I make some candles to see if it helps me feel better.’ So I ordered a few DIY kits, they arrived, and I made some candles! I felt alive!! I had forgotten how creative I was, I liked the whole candle making process. For the first time, I wasn’t overwhelmed with thoughts and went into this relaxing headspace. I felt so proud seeing the end results. I wanted to make more. I did lots of research and started experimenting. I was really enjoying learning about candles and found it so therapeutic making them. I felt like I had a purpose again!

It was getting closer to the time for me to return to work. I knew in my gut it was time to move on for the sake of my own wellbeing. I thought about it for ages, I’d been there for so long – all my skills and knowledge would be missed, they would be upset with me leaving.

I finally made the decision that I had to move on. I wrote an email to my manager to hand in my notice.

I felt a feeling of freedom, relief and pride. But the reality hit – I’m a solo mum – how on earth am I going to pay the bills. So I decided to turn my love for candle making into a business. I knew I had to put my well-being first and look after myself, my health is more important than any job! I didn’t care about a job title – I cared about doing something that made me happy and was good for my well-being.

I needed a business name, I wanted a name with meaning. My daughter had also set up her own business. She was so helpful and supportive with helping to start up mine. My children were so happy for me and so encouraging. We decided on Lelowa Candles. Lelowa is my daughter’s initials, her business is also called Lelowa Lashes so we decided to make her name a brand. I love that my business name has a personal meaning, and I love telling people why my business is called Lelowa and makes me feel really proud.

After deciding the name, I did more research and added more products to my range but I was clueless on where to find customers. My friend’s son suggested I do a pop-up stall in his workplace. My first reaction was “I’m not ready for that, no one would like my things!”

But I did it, my first ever little market stall, in his office reception. I didn’t know what on earth to expect, but I loved it! Speaking to people, educating them about candles. I made lots of sales and I was so proud when I got home and saw I had made £300! £300 on items that I had made! £300 in sales that people had stopped, smelt and liked so much they wanted to buy them and take them home. It felt amazing.

So I started looking for more locations and setting up my website www.lelowacandles.com. I started testing different scents and shapes, as our candle range isn’t just the standard jar style, we specialise in uniquely shaped candles that create a centrepiece for any home space.

Fast forward to now, I’m no longer on medication for my mental health. I haven’t had any more breakdowns. I feel more in control and know how to look after my well-being and know the warning signs on what to look for.

Lelowa Candles has now been running for over two years and I’ve sold my candles in some incredible locations. We have just finished a year and a half pop-up selling in Westfield shopping centre. We also popped up in Waterloo train station, Lakeside and at Sky and ITV head offices plus local markets and fairs. We also have amazing returning customers.

I’m so excited for 2024, the business is growing and it’s incredibly rewarding seeing where I was and where I am now. We’ve got a stall at The Ideal Home Show this year, I never dreamed my little business would be retailing inside Olympia London! We also started well-being themed candle making workshops to help people relax and discover the joy of candle making themselves. Candle making has transformed my mental health, and it is an absolute privilege to help make a difference for others.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

Im a person who likes to help people, I like to feel part of a team. At times being a small business owner can sometimes feel isolating. Working from home alone, and sometimes being at events alone. This has been a struggle for me more so this year and at times I have questioned if I am doing the right thing.
But- just like any job there are highs and lows and my work had a lot more highs!!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?

Making candles makes me feel calm. It is very relaxing and fun as I get to test new scents, shapes and colours. My home smells divine and I do have candles all over my home.
Im working hard towards reducing waste. So I now pack my candles in cotton bags which can be reused instead of a box which would just be placed in the bin. I wrap my wax melts in eco wrapping that can be recycled. I do not use plastic wrapping. I also have wax melt jars and refills can be ordered from my website, as well as diffuser refills.

What’s next?

Over the next year I would love to take part in more bigger events such as the Ideal home show. Taking part in these events will mean i’m around people, meeting lots of new people and I won’t feel alone.

I’m also planning some exciting candle making events………………….. watch this space :)

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lelowacandles.com
• Instagram: lelowa_candles
• Facebook: lelowa candles