From Hobby to Business: How Cera Vía Began

Three years ago, I began making candles simply as a hobby.

I’ve always loved creating and experimenting, and with a background in chemistry, there was something incredibly satisfying about mixing fragrances, blending wax, and carefully pouring each candle by hand. I started making them at home in my little studio, creating candles for friends and family who quickly became my first loyal supporters.

What began as a quiet creative outlet soon became something much bigger.

There is something special about a candle: the gentle flicker of the flame, the comforting scent filling a room, and the way it can instantly change the atmosphere of a home. I loved that feeling, and I wanted to create candles that brought that same sense of calm and comfort to other people.

As I shared my candles with more friends and began taking them to local markets around Dorset, I realised I had created something people genuinely connected with. Customers would come back to tell me how much they loved the fragrances, and every time I introduced a new collection, it sold out faster than I expected.

That was the moment I knew Cera Vía could become more than a hobby.

The name Cera Vía comes from Latin and means “the way of wax”. It felt like the perfect name for a business that grew so naturally from something I loved. Candle making became not just a craft, but a path—one that combined my love of science, creativity, and creating beautiful things for the home.

From the very beginning, I knew I wanted Cera Vía to be about more than simply making candles. I wanted to create products that felt thoughtful, beautiful, and comforting. Inspired by the changing seasons, the Dorset coast, and the small rituals that make everyday life feel special, each candle is designed to bring a little warmth and calm into your home.

Every candle is still hand-poured in small batches in my home studio, with the same care and attention I gave those very first candles. I use 100% soy wax, carefully chosen fragrances, and braided cotton wicks to create clean-burning candles that are as beautiful as they are comforting.

At the heart of Cera Vía is a simple belief: that the things we bring into our homes should be made with intention. I believe in quality over quantity, in timeless scents rather than overpowering fragrances, and in creating collections that feel elegant, comforting, and connected to the seasons.

Looking back, I never imagined that a hobby at my kitchen table would grow into a business. But Cera Vía has become so much more than candles. It is a reflection of everything I love science, scent, creativity, and the joy of making something by hand.

Thank you for being here and for supporting this little business. Whether you have been here from the beginning or are discovering Cera Vía for the first time, I’m so grateful to share this journey with you.

With love,

Kasia