Craig's Story

What do you do now, and what does your current work involve?

 

I am the co-director and founder of Ignite Candles, a family-run business creating high-quality, handcrafted ‘weird yet wonderful’ soy candles. My work involves everything from product development and branding to attending events, building partnerships with local businesses, and growing our online presence, as well as crafting the candles. Alongside this, I still draw on my background in education through leadership work and speaking opportunities, but my main focus is now on building a sustainable, purpose-driven business.

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What do you regard as your first career or the path you originally started out in?

 

My original career was in education. I progressed through teaching into leadership roles, ultimately working towards headship. I led on leadership development programmes, developing pedagogy and talking about engagement of children, and had the opportunity to speak at national conferences, supporting other educators in their own professional journeys.

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Have there been any other careers, roles or industries you’ve worked in along the way, including any detours, pivots or unexpected chapters in your career journey?

 

Education was my primary career for many years, but my current role in business marks a significant pivot. Moving into entrepreneurship, particularly building a brand from scratch, has been a completely different industry, requiring me to learn new skills in marketing, finance and product development, whilst also seeing the new challenges from huge budgets and teams to no staff and a budget which is your own funds!

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Looking back across your career so far, what prompted some of those changes in direction?

 

The biggest catalyst was my health. After developing long Covid, I was no longer able to sustain the pace and demands of a leadership career in education. I was unable to walk, in oxygen chambers, and with a range of significant deficits. At the same time, I experienced a profound personal loss with the passing of my dad. These moments forced me to stop, reflect and reconsider what I wanted my life and work to look like.

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Were there particular moments, opportunities or realisations that encouraged you to try something different?

 

There was a realisation during my recovery that I needed to create something that worked with my life, not against it. My dad had always been incredibly business-minded and encouraged me to think differently. Starting Ignite Candles was a way to keep my mind engaged when my body wouldn’t move, but it also felt like a way to honour that influence while also rebuilding in a way that gave me control, creativity and purpose.

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What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when changing path?

 

The biggest challenges were the uncertainty of funds and allowing a new identity of myself. I was passionately education. I strive for innovation and making a difference, so moving away from a career I had invested so much time in meant stepping into the unknown. There were also practical challenges like learning how to run a business, managing finances, and building a customer base from scratch, all while still managing my health. We do this in education, but also with 40 staff members and a wider structure to access and use.

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What helped you most in navigating those career transitions?

 

Family support was crucial. Ignite Candles is a family-run business, and that shared effort made a huge difference. We moved my mum Donna, now a director, to Hartlepool, and we also relocated to the North East. Donna is a machine. She never believed she was ‘crafty’ or had skills. Her skill was she would graft! She has grafted and, guess what, has many amazing skills.

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I also leaned on the transferable skills from education, such as leadership, resilience and communication, which have all been invaluable in business. Most importantly, I allowed myself time to adapt and rebuild gradually, but there’s still many obstacles, as well as that dreaded imposter syndrome.

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What has surprised you most about where your career has taken you?

 

What has surprised me most is how purpose can be redefined. I always associated purpose with education and leadership. It’s what I wanted to be and it’s what I went to university for. However, now I’ve found that same sense of impact in a completely different space. Seeing something grow from such a difficult period, and then even winning Best New Business at the Hartlepool Business Awards, has been incredibly rewarding for the business, but also for mother and son.

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What practical advice would you give to someone who is considering a career change but isn’t sure where to begin?

 

Start small and don’t feel like you have to have everything figured out. Focus on what you can control, build gradually, and be open to learning along the way. Also, recognise that many of your existing skills will transfer. You’re not starting from zero, even if it feels like it. If you can put that into a quote to use and put everywhere, use, ‘Do Less and Obsess’. Choose a strand and dig deep. Be the expert with that and get everywhere with that thing!

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Looking back now, what key lessons or reflections would you share with others thinking about changing careers?

 

Sometimes change is not a choice, but an opportunity. The most difficult periods can lead to new paths you wouldn’t have considered otherwise. Trust the process, be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to redefine success on your own terms. We all hear ‘everything happens for a reason’. It’s cheesy and it might make you angry… I was! However hardship will always come, so find the little flickers of light to make it that tiny bit better, until it becomes your light (cheesy I know!).

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To explore Craig’s work and discover Ignite Candles, visit www.ignitecandles.net and follow along on Instagram at @_ignitecandles_ and Facebook at Ignite Candles