How IT & candle making goes perfectly together | Nikol |HIGHLIGHT:ED

Starting a small side business, particularly with limited experience, involves inevitable challenges, especially when doing it by yourself with nobody to ask anyway.

Sharing unfiltered experiences can enhance learning, especially when the process includes experimentation, missteps, and gradual improvement that are common in creative work yet it also being something we do not see much of.

In this episode, we’re talking to Nikol. You can see her work in the gallery below.

1. When and why did you start making and selling scented candles?

I started at the end of summer 2024. After a month travelling by the seaside, I was feeling recharged and creative juices were flowing. It was time to pour that energy into something that captures the mood of the fleeting seasons.

Candles were the perfect way to greet autumn and bottle up that cosy sense of nostalgia into something you can see, smell and feel.

2. Have you ever thought about going full-time with the candle business, or do you prefer to keep both job and side hustle?

My business partner and I have definitely fantasized about going full-time, but scaling up would mean bigger production, more costs, and heavy marketing. Right now, that doesn’t feel sustainable.

Honestly, part of the charm is that it stays a passion project.

When you go full business mode, some of the magic can disappear—it becomes more calculated and less soulful. For now, I love that this is something we create with joy and share because we love it, not because we have to.

3. What inspired you to choose candle making as a side business?

I’ve always been obsessed with candles—even back when Patchouli was the most “exotic” scent you could find on the Eastern European market.

I used to dream about those fancy seasonal candles, like pumpkin pie, that were only available in Western stores. Over time, with the internet making everything more accessible, I realized I didn’t have to wait or pay crazy prices anymore—I could make my own candles! And once I started, I fell in love with the creative possibilities: aromas, colors, molds, designs… there’s so much to experiment with.

4. How do you balance working in IT and running a candle business?

For me, it’s actually a good combination. After a long day of working with systems, there’s nothing more freeing than getting lost in dreams of new collections, designing promo materials, playing around with scents it balances me out.

During the week, I handle planning and sourcing materials.

Then on weekends, I dive into production, sometimes staying up until 7 AM pouring candles. It’s a lot, but it feels rewarding.

5. What’s your process for creating new candle scents and designs?

We always start with a theme: cozy autumn, spooky Halloween, winter holidays—something that sets the tone. From there, we choose scents to match the mood (Vanilla has a sweet spot because it pairs well with everything). Then I pick the molds, which really define the visual feel of the collection. Beyond that, it’s very organic. We never really know what the final design will look like until we start pouring. Every session is different, and each collection ends up reflecting the mood of that night. Sometimes the colors come out bold and dramatic; other times, simple and clean. I love that you can sense the story behind each collection, without having to say a single word.

6. What’s the biggest challenge in growing your own candle business?

The hardest part definitely isn’t making the candles—it’s the technical and marketing side. Running a business means dealing with expenses, taxes, and constantly managing social media. It’s not just art and crafts; it’s spreadsheets, logistics, and putting yourself out there to get noticed. That part can feel challenging, especially when you’re doing it for the love of creating.

7. What’s been your favorite part?

Definitely the creation process. Each pouring night feels special and carries its own story. I get inspired by the mood, the conversations, and the music playing in the background—it all shapes the candles in subtle ways. The best moment, though, is the next day. After staying up late pouring, you wake up and start unmolding the candles for the first time. Seeing how they turned out, how they hold the imprint of the night before, little mystery unboxing time. And knowing that each piece will go on to live with someone else — sharing that story — makes it even more meaningful.

8. What advice would you give to someone who wants to start a side business while working full time?

Be ready to sacrifice free time and hobbies — or better yet, make your hobby your side business. That way, even the technical parts feel satisfying because you’re working on something you love.

The second thing: find a partner. Especially in creative fields, having someone to balance your strengths is key. If you’re focused on design and pouring, you need someone to handle the business side so your mind stays clear for creativity. Plus, having a partner makes it so much more fun — you can bounce ideas, develop concepts, and grow together.

9. As someone who studied game design, does that background help with your candle business?

Sure! My game design studies covered a wide range of topics, but my favorites were environmental design and UI/UX design. Even though I didn’t pursue a career in game design, I continued to develop my skills in UI/UX and graphic design. Those skills have been essential for the candle business—especially when it comes to creating social media content and advertisements. Plus, thanks to my UI experience, I was able to design a mockup for our future website.

10. As a visual artist, what have you been working on lately?

We’re taking a short summer break from candle making, so I’ve been focusing on non-digital art—mainly drawing and painting. I love stepping away from the screen because working traditionally forces you to think differently. There’s no “undo” button, so you have to plan ahead and find creative fixes when things go wrong. It keeps the process exciting and organic.

I was also excited to be invited to collaborate on cover art for an upcoming music release with the label. For that, I’m playing around with bold, high-contrast colors and simple yet effective shapes that create funky optical illusions.

11. Do you prefer to gatekeep music or share it? And what’s your most-played track right now?

It really depends on the setting. When I’m out with friends, I usually let others take control of the playlist—it’s a great way to discover new music and learn more about people through their song choices. In more intimate settings, though, I love curating and sharing my own playlists. Music feels personal to me, so I only open that door with people I feel close to—it’s like sharing a piece of my soul.

Lately, I’ve been in a nostalgic, laid-back mood, so my current go-to track is “Mystery” by Jesse Jo Stark.