Hadija & Hajaar

Who received this grant?

Haajar is 14 years old and runs a business with her sister Hadija. They make beeswax candles, 3D printed fidget toys and children's colouring books.

It began as something the two of them made together and turned into something people wanted to buy. What they did not have was the money to buy materials in the quantity a growing business needs, or to fail their way to a product that works properly.

What was this grant used for?

Haajar and Hadija won a grant through the Young Artists Centre to grow the business. It was meant to cover high quality materials for their candles and the printing costs for their colouring books.

WHAT THE GRANT BOUGHT (itemised by Haajar)
Beeswax sheets and cotton braided wicks
Infrared thermometer
Dual-coloured 3D printing filament

What has the grant achieved in 12 months?

Since the grant, the sisters have sold at nine market stalls across Victoria, more than they managed in the previous nine months combined. Out of those stalls came 56 paying customers, 77 sales, 29 custom orders and at least $1,501 in revenue this year.

It also fixed the product. Their original beeswax would not burn properly, and it took a long run of trial and error to land on a design that burns clean and smooth. The new thermometer they bought let them pour the wax and the essential oils at exactly the right temperature, which is what makes a candle burn evenly and hold its scent. 

It also gave them room to purchase more 3D printing filament, test new designs, find its flaws and print it again. Out of that came a new line of four fidget toys, and the dual colour combinations are what customers have responded to most.

Importantly, they ran their first candle making workshop in the City of Hume and over 22 people attended. The grant paid for the beeswax sheets and wicks that made it possible. It moved the sisters from selling a product to teaching a craft, and it turned their business into something the community takes part in rather than just buys from.

How it happened

What does she need next?

Hadija and Haajar are looking for market organisers willing to give them a stall, and community venues where they can hold workshops. They are also looking to start selling digital 3D printing files on MakerWorld.