Wynnie Tam Tam: Wynne Tam

Name of founder: Wynne Tam

Age of the founder: 35

Location: London

Date launched: January 2021

Number of employees: 1

Website: https://www.wynnietamtam.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wynnietamtamofficial/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wynne-t-b9377431/

Which university, if any, did you attend? University of Huddersfield. I studied Business Studies and achieved a 2:1 – I have dreamed of owning my own business for a long time and today the dream has come true.

Founder Wynne Tam launched Wynnie Tam Tam, a luxury candle brand, to fill a gap in the market she found when looking for a candle to help her relax while having to postpone her wedding due to the pandemic. Tam explains more…

What does your business do?

Wynnie Tam Tam is a luxury candle brand started by Wynne – a real bride who was experiencing the stress and fears of the unknown when it came to postponing her wedding during the pandemic of 2020.

To try to calm her mind, she found herself reaching for candles, but no matter how hard she tried, the perfect candle that would melt away the stress just didn’t seem to exist, so she created her own.

After spending years in the luxury hotel and international travel industry making her way across the UK, Middle East, and Asia – and working for multi-million pound brands such as Shangri-La Hotels & Resorts and Harrods – the one thing that stood out to her at every place she travelled to was the way she felt connected to each location by its unique scent.

With the dream of allowing people to relax and connect their own important life moments to fragrance, the fire under Wynnie Tam Tam had been lit.

It’s the first luxury candle brand for brides and women – I have successfully launched my first product (Bride Calm) in January, and am looking to launch a few more products by 2022. Stay tuned.

Where did the idea for your business come from?

In short, I am a real bride and was experiencing the stress and fears of the unknown when it came to postponing my wedding during the pandemic of 2020 (and still not happening yet…).

I was looking to find calm and found myself reaching for candles, but no matter how hard I tried, the perfect candle that would melt away the stress just didn’t seem to exist, so I created my own candle called Bride Calm.

I would love to share my product with all of the brides who are experiencing the same feeling as I am, and I hope this is something that can help them to stay calm during this difficult time.

How did you know there was a market for it?

My personal experience told me. You just need to look at how many Covid brides and brides in general there are in the UK, Europe and across the world – literally thousands. Plus, planning a wedding is never easy; you always need something to cheer you up and keep you going.

What were you doing before launching your business?

I head up a sales and marketing team for a boutique 5-star hotel in London.

I started my career at Harrods and worked my way up to marketing, then transferred my skills from retail to hospitality, and have worked with many luxury hotels for many years until I started my own journey.

Have you always dreamed of starting a business?

Since I was six.

Yes – no doubt and best feeling ever.

How did you finance your business?

Through budgeting.

Explain your business model and how you make money.

Through our online platform, and really by promoting the products through social media and bloggers.

Wynnie Tam Tam was started with the mission to be real, personal, and connect with people from the heart, through the power of fragrance. Wynne promises that mission to be poured into every candle that will allow anyone who indulges to connect to that moment, and create a newfound memory that will leave a lasting impression for life.

What are the main challenges you have faced? And how did you overcome them?

Being a small brand and lack of brand awareness.

I guess with all startup businesses the greatest challenge is time. You need to wear a lot of hats as an entrepreneur – however, this is overcome by prioritising your day, and focusing on the jobs that provide the greatest returns.

What has your experience been of starting a business during a pandemic?

It’s not easy, but it is a product from my heart that I created on my own, and I would love to help other brides to stay calm during this difficult time.

Describe your first breakthrough.

We’ve had a lot of great support from the bridal groups. We have successfully got into the first bridal shop in London, and many more to come.

How has Brexit impacted your business? Do you think it will in the future?

Not at the moment. Thank you.

What advice would you give to other aspiring business owners?

Keep the positive going, and every day is a challenge.

Nothing is easy when you build your business but I believe the outcome will come.

Do not be afraid and trust your guts!

What is one resolution you have for your business this year?

N/A.

How do you see your business developing in the next three years?

Mental wellness is essential, and so I will expand my range and hope this will help people to remain calm. I would love to see physical stores in the UK and around the world.

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