An Interview with Juliette El Fouly Founder of Le Contour Contemporary Candle Company
Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your business Le Contour?
My name is Juliette, I am the founder behind my small business, Le Contour. I am half Egyptian and half Belgian – born & raised in Egypt before I came to Belfast to continue my studies and where I have lived ever since.
What inspired you to start Le Contour?
I started Le Contour in the height of the pandemic where I was actually furloughed… At the time, I remember feeling overwhelmed by social media and life in general. I remember seeing resin & candle makers producing body candles in a very unrealistic female form which prompted me to deep dive into the world of candle making and mould making. My aim out of my research was to produce a small collection of candles in the female form which embraced inclusivity and body diversity… That was the beginning of the launch of my small business.
How did you go about bringing your idea to life?
With time on my hands over furkough, I spent many hours and weeks of researching and testing before I found my perfect range of final products. I then planned my go to market strategy – positioning my brand in a way that resonated with my values, finding the right marketplaces and social channels
What are some of the major achievements or milestones you are most proud of?
I am proud of my growth as a person and as an entrepreneur. You learn a lot from being thrown into something new and mastering a craft. I have also managed the ebbs and flows of a small business, and how to navigate changes in market demands. It is also nice to be recognised through talks like these where I get to meet like minded people and share experiences.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting Le Contour?
Some of the main challenge was the unknown – would my product be well received, would it be financially feasible/rewarding, would I continue to operate despite the difficult economic climates… There are a lot of variables that you don’t always have control of. Also, navigating your own self doubt and growing as a person through uncomfortable situations.
Where have you found support during these difficult times?
Within my personal life, the support of my partner has been invaluable. Also support from business groups / programs that support start ups and small businesses through mentorship, guidance & funding.
What have you learnt about yourself on your journey with Le Contour?
I learned to have more grit and persevere during the difficult times. I also try very hard to separate myself personally from the success or failures of my business. It can sometimes feel like we are a package deal which can be quite overwhelming.
If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice at the start of this journey what would it be?
The most valuable part of running a business at this point in my life is the lessons that I take away and learn from (perseverance, problem solving, flexible, hard working, networking, personal growth etc). Also embracing that there will be ups and downs and to plan ahead for dips in performance.
Finally, do you have any exciting plans or ambitions for the future?
I am planning on launching a subscription service for my wax melts and hopefully finding a permanent premises to host my workshops given the demand.
Juliette is sharing her creative story with us at our next Blick Creative Talk on Wednesday 19th March at 7pm in our Hill St studios. You can find all the details on our website here
