Welcome to the captivating world of Abeille Candles, where passion, dedication, and the finest ingredients converge to create an enchanting experience. Meet the dynamic duo behind the scenes, Brett and Ellie, the heartbeat of Abeille, steering our ship towards crafting extraordinary CocoBee™ Wax Candles.
Sit back, light a candle, relax and read along on the journey of Abeille Candles.
Let's go back to 2019
Brett and Ellie, the visionaries behind Abeille Candles, turned a simple idea sparked by Ellie's brother Sam into a reality. “Someone needs to make candles using excess beeswax” Inspired by the abundance of beeswax from Ellie's family's Mānuka Honey business, the journey unfolded in the picturesque landscapes of Lake Brunner on the West Coast.
An Idea Became Reality
After many attempts at creating candles in our first flat together in Queenstown, we finally found a blend that sets us apart. Our creative process involved concocting blends and utilising communal kitchen tools for the pouring process - much to our landlords horror.
Let's Do It!
Upon relocating to Christchurch, we marked a launch date with just one fragrance and one size. Despite our initial lack of experience, enthusiasm fueled us. When we went live, surrounded by family, we sold x10 units in the first 10 minutes. The overwhelming response left us in disbelief!
Where's The Lounge?
We transformed our living room into a bustling candle-making hub, hand-pouring each candle near our oven, and even established a dedicated packing area on our kitchen bench.
Expanding Horizons
We quickly recognised the need for more space, and the kitchen bench just wasn't sufficient anymore. In June 2019, we rented a container and placed It on the back lawn then turned it into our dedicated workspace.
Let's Get The Word Out
We attended in local Christchurch markets to share the Abeille glow! It was a lot of fun, and a wonderful opportunity to meet our Abeille family in person.
Unveiling Tobacco & Vanilla
On May 10th, 2021, we introduced our best-selling fragrance to the world. Through rigorous testing, we were confident our customers would adore it. The response was overwhelming, selling out on the first night and earning the endearing nickname, 'The Harry Styles Candle.' Today, Tobacco & Vanilla remains our #1 top-selling candle.
Abeille's Evolution Continues
In July 2021, we dared to take the leap and secured a warehouse space. It was time to bid farewell to our cherished container and welcome the dawn of the Abeille warehouse era.
Bold Leaps
As our ambitions soared, we expanded our team, bringing in two talented individuals. Both Brett and Ellie bid farewell to their 9-5 jobs, fully committed to realising the dream of making Abeille a household name.
A Journey of Revitalisation
In 2023, behind-the-scenes efforts have fuelled the transformation of Abeille, and now, after rigorous testing, countless meetings, late nights, and a rollercoaster of emotions, we are thrilled to unveil Abeille 2.0.
The Biggest Thank You
An immense thank you to each one of you for being a cherished part of our journey