A STOURBRIDGE woman who was made redundant during lockdown has opened her first shop in Colley Gate.
Juliet O'Brien lost her job in marketing in 2020 but used the opportunity to start a candle-making business.
She has just opened a shop Waxy Wix on Colley Gate with her partner Christian Houghton.
The couple have transformed the former John Morris electrical shop on the corner of Toys Lane into a unit selling candles, crystals and gifts.
Juliet said: "My partner Christian makes wooden products such as tea light holders and after I was made redundant I thought I fancied making tea lights so I bought a candle making kit from Amazon.
"I've always loved candles.
"I started selling them on Etsy and it went from strength to strength, taking us a bit by surprise.
"It went ballistic over Christmas 2020. It was tricky to keep up with it!"
Juliet said the former electrical shop has been carved up into separate units.
She said: "It's a landmark building in the area and along with some other small business entrepreneurs like Flo's coffee shop and Joanna's unique pieces, we plan to make the area a thriving commercial hub and improve the aesthetic for the community.
"All of our businesses were born out of lockdown."
The couple live Oldswinford.
The shop is open from 9am till 5pm Tuesday to Saturday.
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