Demi Watson
Tell us a little bit about yourself
My name is Demi and I'm 26! I live on the Gold Coast. I live with my partner Jim and two dogs - Maggie and Moe. I have a business degree and last year decided to study nursing. I think it's a better fit for me and aligns more with who I am as a person. I juggle retail, placement, study and Poeme all from the spare room of my home.
What inspires you?
Anything relaxed, genuine and inclusive inspires me. I enjoy learning and being my own biggest competitor. I like to do things right and in my way.
When did you start creating candles?
I started making candles in high school and had an Etsy account. After I left a toxic e-commerce job I decided to pick it back up again along with clay making.
Why did you create Poeme?
I had a period two years ago when I was depressed and anxious (like a lot of people sadly) and so I started working for a candle and craft supplier that had a ceramic studio next door to help me work through it productively. I was making clay jar vessels for candles and creating my fragrance blends through trial and error and having also done them before when I was in school. I started making them for events like weddings, baby showers, and store openings. After a while, I decided to make Instagram and the website!
What do people need to know about caring for their candles?
The main one is always burning to the edge of the vessel! This avoids tunnelling and wasting wax. Don't burn your candle for more than three hours at a time, especially in small closed-in spaces. Only trim the wick if it mushrooms at the tip too.
What are the core values of your business and why are they important to you?
As cringe as it sounds - just always remaining true to who I am as a person. Don't overstretch myself, don't take the low road when people rip you off and don't say no to helping others who want to learn what I do. Candle-making is a big community - nothing anyone does is that unique!
I pride myself on making my unique blends with plant-based fragrances that have no toxic additives, essential oils and organic oils too such as rosehip and apricot oil.
What are your top 3 self care tips?
Face masks, hair treatments, and a good old body moisturise are great self-care tips - but if we're talking deep inner-self care then I think knowing who you are is a practice of self-care, identifying your boundaries within yourself and with others, and learning to be kind to yourself are good tips!
Tell us something that brought a smile to your face recently
A customer gifted her Nan a care package during isolation with a whole bunch of Poeme products. Her nan liked them so much she sent me a handwritten thank you letter which was so kind and sweet!