Finding Home Through Scent: My Journey to Little Batch Wax Co.

Some stories begin with a moment of nostalgia. Mine started with missing the seasonal traditions of my Midwest hometown - population 600.

Growing up, the changing seasons were a big deal. Each shift from one season to the next was marked by traditions, and candles were always part of that magic. They weren't just candles - they were markers of time, celebration, and home.

When I moved to New Zealand, I found myself searching for those familiar scents that could transport me back to cherished moments. Unable to find exactly what I was looking for, I decided to create them myself. In September 2017, I poured my first candle - a Pumpkin Chai that filled every room of my house with the warmth of autumn memories!

The moment I lit those first candles, I felt a little more at home. That single batch sparked something special - a passion for crafting scents that tell stories and create moments of connection.

Today, Little Batch Wax Co. operates from my dream studio, converted from the garage of our farmhouse.

It's a space where creativity flows as freely as the birdsong outside, and where our Muscovy ducks often waddle in for curious visits. There's something magical about pouring candles while surrounded by the peaceful rhythms of farm life.

I now offer six signature scents, with limited edition and seasonal fragrances introduced throughout the year. Each candle is carefully crafted using pure soy wax, with scent combinations inspired by memories, seasons, and the beautiful New Zealand landscape I now call home.

The brand has grown, but its heart remains the same - creating candles that bring light and warmth to homes across New Zealand.

For me, it's more than just making candles; it's about sharing the magic of seasonal traditions and helping others create their own moments of cozy comfort.

It's such a privilege to make these candles. Knowing they're becoming part of other people's homes and traditions - that's what makes this work so special.

Whether you're lighting a candle to welcome spring, celebrate a moment, or simply create a cosy atmosphere on a regular Tuesday evening, each Little Batch Wax Co. candle carries a bit of that original Midwest magic, blended with the fresh beauty of New Zealand.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. What started as a search for familiar comforts has grown into something more special than I could have imagined, largely thanks to our wonderful candle community.

If you'd like to be part of this journey, our Candle Club offers a unique way to experience the changing seasons through scent. Each month, we create exclusive fragrances you won't find anywhere else, paired with thoughtfully curated extras to enhance your cosiest moments.

Join our waitlist here to be first in line when spots become available.

Stay cosy,

Beth

Visual storytelling by Nectar Photography

20 Mindful Journal Prompts for the Anxious Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur, it's natural to experience moments of anxiety and self-doubt. The pressure to succeed, make decisions, and navigate uncertainties can sometimes feel overwhelming.

With Mental Health Awareness Week upon us, we thought it'd be the perfect time to share a little self-care secret: journaling.

It's been proven that regular reflection can work wonders for clearing your head and boosting your mood.

So, grab your favourite beverage, find a comfy spot, and let's dive into some laid-back journal prompts that'll help you navigate the wild world of entrepreneurship with a bit more ease.

Here are 20 thoughtful journal prompts designed specifically for entrepreneurs dealing with anxiety:

1. Gratitude Check: What are three things I'm grateful for in my business today?

2. Wisdom for the Past: If I could give my younger self business advice, what would it be?

3. Challenge and Action: What's the biggest challenge I'm facing right now, and what's one small step I can take to address it?

4. Strength Spotlight: List five of my greatest strengths as an entrepreneur. How can I leverage these more?

5. Success Reflection: Describe a recent business success, no matter how small. How did it make me feel?

6. Priority Setting: What are my top three priorities for the coming week? How can I ensure I focus on these?

7. Fearless Dreaming: If fear wasn't a factor, what bold move would I make in my business?

8. Support Network: Who are three people in my network that I can reach out to for support or advice?

9. Thought Reframing: What negative thought patterns do I notice about my business? How can I reframe these more positively?

10. Ideal Day Visualization: Describe my ideal work day. What small changes can I make to move closer to this ideal?

11. Self-Care Inventory: What self-care activities help me feel grounded? How can I incorporate more of these into my routine?

12. Learning from Setbacks: List three things I've learned from my biggest business setback.

13. Defining Success: What does success look like to me beyond financial metrics?

14. Time Management: If I had an extra hour in my work day, how would I use it most effectively?

15. Tackling Procrastination: What's one task I've been avoiding? What's the first step to tackling it?

16. Value Alignment: How does my business align with my personal values? Where could there be better alignment?

17. Confidence Boost: Describe a moment when I felt truly confident as an entrepreneur. What can I learn from this?

18. Setting Boundaries: What boundaries do I need to set or reinforce in my business to protect my wellbeing?

19. Business Pep Talk: If my business was a person, what would I say to encourage them right now?

20. Future Focus: List five things I'm looking forward to in my business journey, no matter how big or small.

Remember, journaling is a personal practice. Feel free to adapt these prompts to best suit your needs and business situation. The key is consistency – try to set aside a few minutes each day or week to reflect and write.

By regularly engaging with these prompts, you'll likely find yourself gaining new perspectives, managing stress more effectively, and approaching your business challenges with renewed clarity and confidence.

Do you have any favourite journaling prompts that help you navigate the entrepreneurial journey?

We'd love to hear about them in the comments below!

Capturing New Zealand's Beauty: An Interview with Melissa Palmer of Nectar Photography

At Little Batch Wax Co., we believe that scent has the power to transport you to beautiful places and cherished memories.

That's why we're thrilled to collaborate with the talented Melissa Palmer of Nectar Photography, whose stunning images grace the postcards in our monthly candle subscription boxes.

Join us as we dive into Melissa's world of photography and discover the art behind capturing New Zealand's natural beauty.

Question: How did you first discover your passion for photography, and what drew you to capturing New Zealand's landscapes in particular?

Answer: I first discovered my passion for photography during high school. There I achieved Top in New Zealand for my photography course for two years running and found my love for this art form. Those early days were full of discovery— it excited me all the creative possibilities it opened up. Photography allows me to creatively communicate and connect with people on a deeper level. (Here's a link to one of Melissa's very first projects from 2011).

After high school, I studied photography at a University in Kona, Hawaii. At 18, I started my wedding and portrait photography business (Nectar Photography), and now, a decade later, I'm incredibly grateful to do what I love full-time. Photography has helped me grow both personally and creatively, and it's allowed me to meet and connect with so many amazing people. I truly love my job. :)

Though I specialise in photographing people, I also enjoy capturing New Zealand's landscapes. Lately, I've been enjoying capturing the landscape in the Franklin area. Having grown up in Onewhero and being born in Pukekohe, its a place I feel very connected to. I'm often inspired by the beauty of the natural scenery that surrounds me.

Question: Beautiful! Can you walk us through your process of selecting and photographing a scene for the Little Batch Wax Co. postcard covers?

Answer: Firstly, I love collaborating with Beth from Little Batch Wax Co. She's one of the kindest and most thoughtful people I know, and that warmth shines through in both her products and the experiences she creates within her business.

Our process usually starts with a conversation, like last night when Beth described her new summer scent. We discussed the emotions that the scent evokes and brainstormed colours and visuals that could complement and unify the experience between the candle and the photograph. After the call, I either find a photo from my collection that matches the feeling we want to convey or I head out at a specific time of day to capture something new that aligns with the mood we're after.

Question: I love working with you! You always nail the brief and I'm constantly torn between which photograph to choose. Okay, next question: what is your favourite location in New Zealand to photograph, and why does it resonate with you?

Answer: It's hard to choose just one, however lately, I've been drawn to Port Waikato, a rugged beach on the West Coast. There's something wild and untamed about the landscape—it feels like stepping into Jurassic Park. The energy of the waves crashing against the rugged rocks, combined with the wind sweeping through, makes me feel alive and refreshed. It's a place where I can reconnect with nature and find inspiration. Plus, after a shoot, I always look forward to eating some of the best fish and chips around—it's the perfect way to end a photoshoot! :)

Question: Yes! Love Port Waikato, so wild. Now, for our readers who are interested in improving their own nature photography skills, what are three tips you'd recommend?

Answer:

Learn the Rule of Thirds...

The rule of thirds is a simple yet powerful composition tool. Imagine dividing your frame into a grid of nine equal parts with two horizontal and two vertical lines. Place key elements of your scene along these lines or at their intersections. In landscape photography, for example, you could position the horizon on the top or bottom third line, creating a more balanced and visually appealing image.

Create Layers in Your Images...

To add depth and dimension to your photos, think in layers. Include a clear foreground, mid-ground, and background. For instance, you could photograph through some leaves in the foreground, have a subject in the middle distance, and capture the horizon or mountains in the background. This layering technique helps draw the viewer's eye into the scene, making it feel more immersive.

Experiment and Play!

Approach your photography with a sense of curiosity, like a child discovering something new. Think about what landscapes personally resonate with you and go out with your camera, ready to explore and play. Things rarely turn out exactly as you imagined, so be open to experimenting and thinking outside the box.

And a bonus tip: Light is Everything!

Lighting can completely transform a landscape. The same scene will look different depending on the time of day and quality of light, creating varying moods. Pay attention to how light interacts with the landscape, and shoot when it enhances the scene—dawn and dusk are often the best times for this, as the soft light creates a magical glow.

Question: Wow thank you for those tips! Can you please tell us a bit about your cinemagraph projects? And how can our subscribers stay in touch with you and future projects?

Answer: I'm currently challenging myself with a monthly Self Portrait Project, where I take a theme or message that's resonating with me at the time and translate it into a moving photograph—blending still imagery with subtle motion in the form of a cinemagraph.

You can follow the project on Instagram, where I share behind-the-scenes insights into the planning, shooting, and editing process. This project has pushed me to step outside my comfort zone by being on the other side of the camera—a space that can often feel confronting—while expressing messages that are deeply personal to me.

A few highlights from the project so far:

• February's Cinemagraph, titled - 'Centred'

• April's cinemagraph, titled 'Seeking Light'

• July's cinemagraph, titled 'Kinship'

In Closing:

We're so honoured to feature Melissa's stunning photographs on our monthly postcards, and are in constant awe of her ability to translate our seasonal candle scents into visual masterpieces. Big thanks to Melissa for her work and her time to answer our questions today.

To stay updated with Melissa's latest projects and breathtaking captures, be sure to follow her on Instagram @nectar_photography. And don't forget to keep an eye out for her incredible work in your next Little Batch Wax Co. subscription box!