A WOMAN and her mother-in-law have been a slow-burning success after launching a home and beauty business along a growing high street.
After having kids at a young age, Claire Wiltshire said she became "massively house proud" and a nice smelling, well-kept home has been a therapeutic way to stay calm while bringing up five children.
Building on this passion, the mum-of-five started making her own wax products in 2019 and after a stint of working from home, from a studio, and a local makers market, she and her mother-in-law launched 'Wiltshire Wax' on Elliott Street last summer.
READ > Friends celebrate launch of wine and whiskey bar as two year project pays off
Located at the far end of the high street in Tyldesley, Wiltshire Wax sells a range of home and beauty products such as candles, wax burners, bath bombs, and skincare; with Claire adding her own wax melts and soaps to the collection.
As Claire is born and bred in Tyldesley, she said she wanted to "put something back into her hometown" and the business' ethos is to be "luxury but affordable" while also being plastic and cruelty free.
Claire said: "I've lived in Tyldesley my whole life and in the past, there have been quite a lot of derelict shops on the high street, so I just wanted to bring something different and put something back into my hometown.
"In a working-class town, we want to offer luxury but affordable products so that customers know they are buying quality gifts that aren't extortionate."
After the stress of transforming a former computer shop into Wiltshire Wax last year, the design is in keeping with the conservation project in Tyldesley that has attracted more businesses and customers to the high street in recent months.
And although it can be difficult to attract passing trade at the end of the high street, Claire said that business has grown every month, adding that it has been a "lovely experience" to work with her mother-in-law Babs.
Claire, 37, added: "I think some people don't know that we are here at the end of the high street, but every month we're getting busier and better, and we've had some lovely feedback.
"We're both really passionate about the business and our ethos, so we've been learning from each other and seeing what works and what doesn't.
"We have plans to make more of our own products and keep our collection fresh and attractive, while using local businesses where we can."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here