Lam Lighting
On finding a new way of living and keeping a craft alive.
I always love discovering a new business that feels confident in its branding from the very beginning. Clay & Burn is one of those, a story of fragrance, creativity, and the quiet determination to build a way of working that nurtures both a young business and a young family at the same time.
Here’s Bryony’s founder story.
Clay & Burn began as a personal quest to create fragrances that resonated with my own sensitive nose. I’ve always had a strong connection to scents; good aromas can uplift my mood and trigger wonderful memories, while unpleasant ones can be quite distracting or even offensive!
After struggling to find candles and diffusers that suited my preferences, I decided to learn how to craft my own. Encouraged by my husband, I transformed this personal project into something more, channelling my creative energy into a business.
When my daughter was born, I realised how much I wanted to be present for her, which motivated me to pursue this venture seriously, in order to hopefully one day provide me with the flexibility to always be around when needed. I spent countless hours during her naps researching and developing my brand, leading to the launch of Clay & Burn in the summer of 2024.
Currently, it’s just me running the show, along with my British Shorthair cat, Bella, who provides companionship and a bit of stress relief – who can be stressed when tickling a purring smoosh ball!
Every aspect of the business, from product development and production, to marketing and accounts, falls on my shoulders. I enjoy the independence of being a solopreneur, as it allows me to make decisions that align closely with my vision and to work on my terms. However, I cherish the connections I’ve built with suppliers, stockists and customers that support my journey, creating a network that feels like an extended team.
My workspace is a cosy studio at the bottom of my garden, filled with the delightful scents of my creations. It’s a bit of a sanctuary where I can immerse myself in the making process. I also recently expanded into a room in the house, where I keep all of my finished products and pack my lovely customers’ wonderful orders. I often find calm amidst the chaos of being a mum and running a business here.
I love to listen to music or audiobooks while I work, which helps me stay focused and inspired. My view includes a glimpse of our garden, which brings a touch of nature into my creative space; it’s been so lovely over summer to have the door open, to be able to hear the birds sing and the bees buzz.
At Clay & Burn, every product is crafted by me, with a deep respect for the environment and a passion for fragrance.
My choice of coconut wax, in our candles and melts, reflects my commitment to sustainability; it’s a more eco-friendly option compared to others like soy wax.
The hand care is gentle on skin with the main cleansing element being derived from coconuts and the nourishing lotion base provided by plant oils.
I want my products to not only fill homes with beautiful scents but also align with my values of reducing environmental impact. Each fragrance is carefully selected to evoke emotions and memories, making them not just products, but experiences that resonate with my customers, particularly through the scent names, which have been described as ‘temptingly evocative’ – exactly what I wanted to achieve.
There have been countless memorable moments since I launched Clay & Burn. One that stands out is the first market I attended, although I was so anxious and nervous in the lead up to the market, everyone was so friendly and supportive – from customers to fellow stall holders. I had the opportunity to see customers experience my scents for the first time. Hearing them share their memories triggered by my fragrances was incredibly rewarding.
Another favourite moment of mine is winning a regional small business award (Muddy Stilettos, Best Lifestyle Store in Herts & Beds), in my very first year; this still blows my mind and I’m incredibly grateful to those that believed in this business enough to nominate and vote.
On the flip side, I’ve faced challenges, like balancing late nights in the studio with family life, a courier (who shan’t be named) smashing my first stockist order and the stress of dealing with out of stock materials, but each experience has contributed to my growth and resilience as a new business owner.
At the heart of Clay & Burn are my core values of sustainability, creativity, and family. I’m dedicated to using eco-friendly materials and supporting UK-based suppliers to minimise environmental impact.
My goal is to create beautiful products that not only enhance homes but also contribute positively to the planet. I want to inspire my daughter and others to pursue their passions while being mindful of their choices.
Looking ahead, I have exciting plans for Clay & Burn!
I’m working on expanding my product line with larger candles and new fragrances, and I hope to introduce pottery into the mix one day. Pottery has always been a passion of mine, and although I had to put a pin in my Saturday pottery lessons to focus on weekend markets, I envision creating unique pieces that complement my fragrances while offering sustainable options like candle refills (hopefully one day!).
By the time my daughter starts school, I aspire to transition Clay & Burn into my full-time focus, allowing me to be fully present for my daughter and continue sharing my passion for home fragrance with the wonderful people of the U.K and, maybe one day, the world.
Thank you Bryony for sharing your story. What I enjoyed most here is the honesty of building something steady and heartfelt, where growth happens alongside family life rather than at the expense of it. It’s also a lovely reminder that success can be simply shaping a life and a business that feels good to live in. – Lyndsey
Do you have a founder story to share? We’d love to hear from you.
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