Her products look and smell so good that you can almost eat them. But they are not edible – they are expertly designed, dessert-scented candles made from scratch, and they are a local product made by Rayann Darrell, the small business owner of Shea Blossom.
Darrell is a full-time school teacher who embarked on a journey to start her own small business after she was encouraged by her sister, who lives overseas.

The 42-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that her sibling sent her a photograph of a candle and told her she is confident that she can make it but did not take it seriously at first.
However, two weeks later, her sister reminded her about the photo she had sent, and it was then Darrell started her research. Then, two years ago she launched her small business of making scented dessert candles.
The small business owner reported that she was assisting her husband who had just established his own small business at that time.
“I felt bad because I did not want to disappoint my sister, knowing she put effort in getting that picture of that candle to me, and I wanted to make her proud of me and what I can achieve,” she said.

Darrell related that she researched where and how to source her products before she even started making scented candles.
She uses natural cotton hemp wick, soy wax and fragrance oils from abroad and says shipping, handling, taxes and duties have been dreadful as a small-time entrepreneur.
Darrell stated that after she was fully familiar with the products, she needed to make candles, she began, but after many fails, late nights and burnt hands, she finally managed to make one perfect candle.
That motivated her to continue and it has been rewarding so far, because she has the support of her spouse and sister.

Darrell isn’t new to arts and crafts since she has a diploma and the Permanent Secretary’s award from Burrowes School of Arts and gained a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts with credits from the University of Guyana.
She first started out making bonnets with wrap-around sash and fabric necklaces, but after other people began making them the market was flooded, and she needed a new venture to challenge her.
“As a child, I never grew out of drawing on the walls of our house with pens, pencils and crayons no matter what, and I always had it in me to do things,” she reasoned.

Darrell told the Pepperpot Magazine that since she established her own small business, the response has been good, and it feels nice knowing people want to have your product at their events to give as tokens,” she said.
Shea Blossom will be participating in a Pop-Up Show at the Courtyard Mall, Robb Street, Georgetown in September and in Trendy Things Show at the same location but on September 16, 2023.
Darrell’s small business has also been a part of several mini-exhibitions and she hopes to participate in many more such events to promote her small business and introduce people to her scented dessert candles.

Between being a full-time teacher at the American School, being a wife, mother and a partner to her spouse in his own small business, it is quite time-consuming, but she is up for the challenge and realised that nothing comes without hard work and dedication.
Darrell has been a teacher in the public school system for 14 years and has been employed as a teacher at the American School for nine years.
She has a line of therapeutic fragrance candles that come in peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender and chamomile and will be launching her Christmas special of gingerbread man soon.
Darrell added that all the candles are her own creations from scratch. Since candle-making is a process she would make 100 per batch and it is rather time-consuming.
But it’s worth it because she gets to invent newer ideas such as using strawberries, chocolate bars, chocolate drops, gummy bears and macrons all made from soy wax.

Mostly Darrell would make dessert-scented candles based on orders, but her products are on the shelves at Feme in Kitty and Hercules Mall at Rosignol, Berbice.
She also caters for events such as weddings, baby shower, birthdays and brunches and her candles are given as tokens.
Darrell disclosed that her most sought-after dessert-scented candle is the one made from marshmallow, peppermint and bubblegum fragrance oils.
As a mother, she reported that she is pleased with how her business is taking off and the support she is getting from our people.

“It feels unreal for me that I could create something like this, candles and people love it. Their responses are special when they meet me and see my products, and I often get a lot of compliments and encouragement, which instantly boosts my courage to stay in business,” she said.

Darrell showcases her products via social media and likes to keep it fresh with her new and inventive ideas in candle form.
She explained that with MMG there is no need for face-to-face transactions and pick-up of orders are done at Feme in Kitty and it works out well for her.
“My biggest cheerleader is my husband and sister, and I am grateful for their support and constant encouragement,” she said.