Meet Beth Hughes | Candle + Apothecary Artisan

We had the good fortune of connecting with Beth Hughes and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Beth, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Finding and shining my own little light. It’s a little corny, we know, but its true. Authenticity has kept us going and open for a decade. Every single product we have launched is a direct emotional connection to my story and journey. I think people FEEL that when they light out candles or use our soaks. They feel the love and the authentic intention behind this line. When you quiet all the noise and you look inside to what makes you light up and you follow that with a steady hand and patience, people connect to that and the little thing now has a bigger impact. I set clear brand standards for our products to be holistic, healing and all natural. I knew making quality self care products as a tool kit for any one needing to relax or claim space would increase as we get older and the world gets more stressed. My success lies in pulling out the good part of me and pouring love and natural elements in to these products and the results have spoken for themselves,

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Was this easy? NO. Being an entrepreneur is not for the meek or overly emotionally.

An “a-ha moment” hit me at my kitchen sink nearly nine years ago. Little Light Co. was the response to me needing to turn my little light back on inside of me. The desire to create and shine for myself and for my community and to no longer sit in the darkness. Seven scents inspired by the South was born in Athens, Georgia in the Spring of 2015. Beginning with a French lavender candle called Lavender & Lace, inspired by both my grandmothers, we now have ten signature scents, aromatherapy mists, and bath salts in our apothecary line. The recipes have remained the same and are all-natural holistic healing tools. We pride ourselves on clean, hypoallergenic products. That grew from personal desire and lack of ethical, healthy products available from the wellness industry.

Leaving 16 years of corporate American behind in early 2018 to step into entrepreneurship, and it was the best decision she have ever made. Not knowing at the time she left her marketing director position, she was expecting. Her son Heywood. She began to chip away at the little studio in her backyard, expanding the brand, engaging in more retail relationships, and growing my extensive collaboration clientele.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
ATHENS DAY TRIP

Start with a cup of Jittery Joes coffee from the roasting house, then head to brunch at the darling art café Big City Bread. Cozy up indoors or dine al fresco in a historical little corner on the edge of DT Athens. Check out the local art for sale on the walls. Afterwards we can go get our hip plant girl fix at Foxglove Plant Bar (where you can get a whiff of rooted, a popular collaboration of ours using Petrichor) Don’t miss their Propagation Wall. Self care time? Head to Drench Sauna Studio, infrared lighting for our chakras and then House of Lore for a fabulous facial. To keep the balance let’s go get Cheeseburgers and Beer aka Clocked and Terrapin Beer Co. tour. Close out the night at one of many Athens music venues, like Foundry at Graduate Hotel or hard core Indie at Flicker Theatre.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to SHOUT to an inspiring women, mother friend and artist HANNAH BETZEL. Over the years we have connected over several medias and business adventures. From networking, conferences, listening to art lectures to hanging out in tee shirts and making natural art, she keeps me engaged and inspired. Keep Shining Hannah. You are an actual bad ass.

Website: www.littlelightco.com

Instagram: @littlelightco

Image Credits
Headshot: Liz Shane at Repurposed Photography