Celebrating 10!
Five years ago when I received a candle making kit, never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that I would reach this milestone; as of this weekend, Christopher Scents products are now available from TEN stockists, with the tenth branching out of Essex.
Earlier this year before lockdown lifted, I decided to drive Christopher Scents forward, I'd already established a wonderful base, full of loyal and encouraging customers, regularly parting with their hard-earned cash to buy my products, but I wanted my products to reach even further.
About three years ago I started stocking products at Cal & Co (formerly Two Become One) in Maldon, followed by Secret Hamper online and finally La Paloma in Rayleigh. These wonderful stockists took a chance on my small business, a business that had a lot to prove, and started stocking my products when not many had... yet. I'll forever be grateful to Melissa, Nigel and Nicole.
Instead of rushing to add more stockists, I decided to invest my time in providing these stockists everything that they needed, whether that be new fragrances, new products or help producing 400 wax melts for hampers!
With more time on my hands this year due to lockdown, it was the perfect chance to approach different stores, my aim was to achieve ten stockists before the end of 2021. French Quarter (Brentwood), Salt Marsh Deli (Maldon/online), Grey Soft Furnishings (Burnham), Mecoy (Chelmsford) and Jasmine King Interiors (Hadleigh) quickly followed in the summer which was a huge leap in terms of production and orders, but somehow I managed to make it work.
With the year coming to an end, I doubted whether there would be enough time to approach and win two new stockists, but with a huge interest in my 2021 Christmas range, two businesses approached me. No business is too big nor too small, my local community shop, The Purleigh Community Shop have since started stocking my whole range, which brings me to my latest stockist, Shackletons.
Shackletons are my tenth stockist and have provided a further sense of achievement, they are my first stockist based outside of Essex. Shackletons is a beautiful home and garden store based in Clitheroe, Lancashire - it blows my mind that my products are now being stocked in Lancashire, so far from home!
So what is next for Christopher Scents? Obviously my desire is to grow and make it even easier for customers to purchase their favourite home fragrance products, but I need your help. Is there a business that you'd love to see my products in? You can help by either talking to your preferred store directly or contact me so that I can contact them.
Finally, all of this is thanks to you; my family, friends, stockists and customers - you're continued kindness and support is unwavering and is all the encouragement I need, thank you.
With love,
Chris