What a Difference a Year Makes: Reflecting on Our 2nd Christmas

Our Second Christmas at Essence: A Little Reflection & A Lot of Gratitude

I can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but welcome to our second Christmas at Essence Home!

As the festive lights go up and the shop buzzes with people hunting for that perfect gift, I’ve found myself taking a quiet moment to look back. It’s funny how a single year can feel like a lifetime ago.

From a Freezing Gazebo to Lock29

Rewind to this time last year. If you were walking past, you might have spotted me standing under a gazebo in freezing, wet conditions. I remember shivering, looking out at the rain, and just hoping—really hoping—that people would stop and actually "see" the beautiful products we had for sale. It was humble, it was cold, but it was the start of something special.

Fast forward to today, standing here in our lovely space at Lock29, and the contrast is night and day.

A Year of "Pinch Me" Moments

We’ve had a bit of a whirlwind year, to say the least. Since August 1st alone—just three and a half months—we have sold nearly as much as we did in our entire first year of business!

That growth honestly blows my mind, and it tells me that you guys are loving what we’re doing. We’ve even picked up three awards along the way, which is just the cherry on top.

Growing the Essence Family

One of the biggest compliments we keep hearing is people likening us to Oliver Bonas. As a small, independent business, being compared to such a beloved brand is huge for us—though we like to think we add our own unique, eco-conscious sparkle to the mix!

We’ve been busy introducing some truly amazing makers to our shelves this year, and I’m so excited that we’ve expanded our range to include a collection for kids (which has been so much fun to curate!).

Thank You

But the best part of this year hasn't been the sales figures or the awards. It’s been the people.

We have made some amazing friends within the Lock29 family; it truly feels like a community here. And then, there’s you—our wonderful customers. Meeting you, getting to know you, and seeing so many of you come back time and time again has been the highlight of my year.

So, whether you bought a candle from me under a rainy gazebo last year or just discovered us at Lock29 today—thank you. You’ve helped turn a freezing cold dream into a warm, beautiful reality.

Here’s to a wonderful Christmas and an even more exciting 2026!

With love,

The Essence Home Team