Meet the founder of this nationally-growing luxury candle brand established in Northampton
Meet the founder of this nationally-growing luxury candle brand established in Northampton, which has created a loyal community through immersive workshops.
Reverie Candle was founded by Ashley Gwati, who invites guests to wind down, daydream and create personalised scents to escape their fast-paced realities.
It began as a small, handcrafted candle business and has now become a hands-on, intentional experience for attendees across Northampton, London and beyond – which hopes to bring communities together through scent, creativity and wellness.
Talking about the decision to launch the business in January 2023, Ashley told the Chronicle & Echo: “Anyone who knows me knows I’m a dreamer. I dream big and knew this was the youngest I’d be without responsibilities. Reaching for the stars is part of my personality.”
Ashley studied accounting and finance and has a background in consulting. Having also worked with beauty businesses and rubbed shoulders with experienced CEOs during her time working at TikTok, she absorbed as much as possible to make her new venture the best it could be.
The founder is proud that Reverie Candle offers a sensory escape and encourages customers to embrace the special experience of associating memories with particular scents.
Reverie Candle was available to shop in-person at Westfield Shopping Centre in London for an entire month, with the creative fragrances getting a positive reception – including matcha, iced coffee and pumpkin spice which Ashley says “push the boundaries”.
“The first big expansion was candle-making workshops,” said Ashley from Duston. “This educates on how to make candles, blend scents and care for the products.
“Northampton is my home and I was so delighted to launch my candle-making workshops at Grandbies in January 2024. It was a collaboration where they got to make an iced matcha latte candle and try one from Grandbies. It had a phenomenal reception and it was something Northampton hadn’t seen before.”
It was a month later in February when Ashley stepped up even further and launched Reverie Candle’s corporate offering, tapping into a brand new market and audience.
“I’m so grateful for absolutely everything that has happened since launching,” said Ashley. “I’ve stepped out into doing this full-time and quit my job around a year ago. I put my whole heart into this. I can’t believe this is what I started from my bedroom, it’s a daydream come true.”
Reverie Candle has got three workshops coming up at The Green Lodge Barn in Nobottle. A signature candle-making experience is planned for April 4, a mental health awareness month workshop on May 4, and a Father’s Day workshop on June 21.
Ashley concluded: “We’re in the process of launching a perfume making experience very soon, so people can enjoy luxury outside of their homes.
“We’re a mobile business and have travelled as far as Manchester. Not having a base allows you to go where your customers are, and we’ve started doing private bookings for birthdays and hen nights.”