Welcome to Ignition Law’s ‘Igniting The Spark‘ series where we spend five minutes with inspiring entrepreneurs, talking about the key moments that defined their careers. This month we caught up with Jonathan Ward. Jonathan Ward is a British craftsman and independent candle maker with a simple philosophy – produce products with purpose.
Complex creations delivered in an understated and CLEAN way. Jonathan was one of the first advocates for clean burning wax products, pioneering against the giants that use petroleum waxes and challenging the definition of luxury. Jonathan Ward focuses on products from the inside out. Certified soil association approved organic triple blend propriety wax; Italian glass; British Packaging. Innovative and complex aroma with no compromise in richness. In his own words: “We only produce in a focused singular way when I am naturally inspired and to create something that will last.”
The moment that ignited the spark in me to start a business was…
I started candle making when I was living in New York City following an eight-year career in fashion. It was an interesting moment in my life at 28 years of age. I could see the gargantuan waste that was starting to happen in the fashion industry as it moved towards what Arcadia (R.I.P.) stood for: “Fast Fashion”.
I chose my exit, as I believed strongly in products with purpose and products that stand the test of industry expectation for new, new, new. I created six experiments in scent with a friend after leaving my six-figure design director role at The Style Council and pitched a small display at Barney’s New York. From there the journey began.
The toughest challenge I’ve faced is (and how you overcame it)…
My career was on a steady climb and even through the credit crunch we survived against the odds. The recent COVID challenges were the hardest. All wholesale business was wiped out in two days. All orders were cancelled and we were solely surviving on e-commerce. Our landlord was the most unsympathetic and unsupportive of anyone I have worked with. Until Ignition stepped in and I handed the case over to the outstanding Lauren O’Sullivan. Lauren closed the situation successfully, allowing us to downsize in accordance with the changes to our model.
The biggest success has been…
Being sought to design an Equestrian inspired fragrance for the Saudi Royal Family; being flown privately out to the desert to get a feeling for their exquisite stables.
I’m very good at…
Thinking ahead and knowing instinctively when the time is right to make my creative moves. Instinct never lets me down but I have a big heart so I try my hardest to believe people will do the right thing.
The type of person I look to recruit is…
Passionate. Driven. Bright. Someone who doesn’t see a hurdle as a hurdle but a solution that they need to discover.
The part of my day I most look forward to is…
When I receive creative time, this is now a luxury. A genuine luxury. We have some exciting things for Spring that will be game changing.
If I could give fellow entrepreneurs one piece of advice it would be…
Keep overheads down. Be tenacious and determined in areas of business that you wouldn’t ordinarily think you could thrive at. Learn to wear many hats and don’t be precious.
Outside of work I can be found…
Cooking. Reading. My work can have very long days. I am quite fond of a three day trip to a new country to hide in a beautiful hotel where I take time to think, reflect and gather myself. Dinners alone with a good book. Small walks but mainly genuine downtime.
My philosophy on life is…
I believe in the movement of lightning. It is never linear. It zigs and it zags and is unpredictable. Learn to move like lightning and surprises turn into whispers rather than hurricanes.
Client story
What was your business challenge? I was faced with a commercial tenancy landlord who refused to communicate / cooperate / respond or have any empathy for the 77 artists in his building. After nine weeks he started to respond with sarcasm and vitriol; showing disdain and cold retorts that didn’t align with the reality. Despite trying every personal approach within my armoury for conflict resolution, it appeared that this would no longer be achievable solo. It had started to have a physical effect upon me and former issues with anxiety came back with gusto. This was until I contacted Ignition and was assigned to Lauren O’Sullivan. When I say this, I don’t say it lightly. She carried me through the worst time of my life. She listened when I cried, she took action. She prevented him from communicating further with me and handled “this rather special” human being in her own way and reported back. She successfully navigated me out of my commercial lease and I will forever be in her debt. She was exceptional, kind, bright, timely and most importantly human. I realise her speciality is property law but I would only ever wish to deal with Lauren again for any other job or issue we have. The vision for Ignition and their selection process for talented lawyers who have hearts is unique and rare. I won’t be looking at any other firm no matter how we grow.
What did you enjoy most about working with the team at Ignition? The warmth and sincerity and understanding coupled with superb clarity on the reality of the law. No false promises and an ongoing awareness of each client’s personal needs. The most human approach to law that I have ever encountered and I won’t be leaving. They’re stuck with me.
Jonathan Ward candles can be found here
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