Meet the Maker: Hannah Magee

Hannah founded Só Soy in October 2016 and recently left her full-time job in February 2021 to focus solely on her small business, and she hasn’t looked back!

Alongside Só Soy, Hannah worked as a full-time graphic designer, sales assistant, visual merchandiser, lingerie fitter, and most recently as a full-time PA to 2 Heads of Service for Northern Health and Social Care Trust during the pandemic. 

Fast forward to 2021 and Hannah now creates handmade candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, and carpet freshener, in luxurious fragrances, full time in her Ballymoney based studio. 

How did you get the idea for this product? Or how did it come about?

I'd always had a love for fragrance and I couldn't find candles that I liked the look of that also smelt the way I wanted them to. Curiosity got the better of me and I got stuck in the rabbit hole of candle making research. After some trial and error I was so happy with the products I'd created that I launched Só Soy.

What is the most challenging part of your craft?

Candle making is harder than people think; there are a lot of safety and legal requirements and it's quite mathematical. I love every second of it though!

What do you love about your work?

I love the freedom to be creative; to create any product in any fragrance I like. It's so rewarding when I get great feedback about a product I've made; it's so nice to know that someone else loves Só Soy as much as I do.

How would you describe your style to someone who didn't know you?

Simple - Iet the fragrance do the talking.

What is a product you want to spotlight?

Black Coffee, Jasmine + Vanilla - it's always the best selling fragrance each month.

What makes this particular product so special?

The fragrance is similar to my mum's favourite perfume.

What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in business so far?

To have more confidence in myself, especially when it came to showing 'the face behind the brand'. I got over the fear of jumping on Instagram stories, and the engagements and relationships I've developed  with customers and other small businesses have been so worth it.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting out?

You can never do enough research. I also run any new decisions past my friends and family; as I always think it's good to get a fresh set of eyes on something.

What do you love about being featured in The Designerie?

They really get behind the product and the story of the brand.  They are interested in the maker and relay this to the customer.

How would you describe The Designerie to someone who didn't know about it?

Really great group of people who care about supporting small businesses in the local community