Owner of candlemaking company Mila Mae & Co, Jenna Clark, grew up on Auckland's North Shore. Clark attended many different schools over the years, and at the end of sixth form, Clark left school and got a qualification in travel, tourism, and business. After receiving her qualification, she started her first job as a junior travel agent.
"I stayed in the travel industry for several years before I decided it wasn't for me, and I trained to become a qualified nanny, which I then did for over ten years," said Clark.
Since then, Clark has completed various administrative and executive assistant roles before starting her family and her business, Mila Mae & Co.
Clark recalled the first candle she made was during the very first lockdown. Self-described as candle obsessed, Clark searched for a new hobby, and candlemaking became a natural choice. From here, Mila Mae & Co was born.
While the company was started in 2020, the business took off when Clark got a second wind after the birth of her second son in late 2021.
The team is compromised of Clark. However, she mentions how the support of her partner and parent has made it possible for her to have her own business.
"None of it would be possible without the amazing support I get from my husband and parents, as they often look after the kids when we have to work weekends or evenings. When I say we, I've put hubby to work too."
Mila Mae & Co has two ranges. The first is a vintage range and the second a standard range, where every candle is handmade by Clark and made to order, therefore making Clark's products fully customised as customers pick a vessel available from Clark's range, a fragrance, and whether or not they'd like the addition of dried florals.
Furthermore, Clark offers pop-in refills for her standard range allowing the customer to reuse their vessels and minimise wastage. Clark also crafts custom fragrances for stockists.
"I also offer one-off pieces, which is my vintage range; these are unique vessels and mostly one-off pieces."
Clark continued that inspiration for her comes from the usual suspects, the internet and magazines. However, she invests in her customers' insights and preferences, asking what they would like to see from her range.
Gold standard customer service is imperative to Clark, as well as offering high-quality products that will leave customers wanting more, which she stated was why she had repeat customers.
Stepping out of her comfort zone and starting her own business, having never run a business before, a two of the things Clark is most proud of when it comes to Mila Mae & Co.
"Half the time, I am just winging it, but I am doing it and making it work."
In the future, Clark hopes to grow her brand so that she can have a space to create her candles from outside of her home, and have an employee, with the hope that she would have a shop that her customers could visit.
