Following on from last month's blog post about Charlie MacInnes, we'd like to continue to share the stories of our team, to showcase the faces that collectively help to bring our brand to life. This month we'd like to celebrate one of our very first employees, Hector MacKenzie.
Over the years, we’ve been fortunate to have employed many gifted individuals. Some are still part of the team, some have moved on to different ventures. Some have even gone on to establish their very own business on the island.
Hector was born in Broadford and brought up in Isleornsay. He worked for Calmac Ferries after leaving school as well as picking up some shifts at a local bar. Hector met James at a Ceilidh one night. Before he knew it, James had found himself one of his very first employees to help with his new candle making business, which at that stage was based out of an old bothy in Braes.
Hector got to see Isle of Skye Candle Company go through a very exciting transition and growth period and saw production shift to the current workshop in Broadford.
After a while, Hector decided it was time to get back on the water. He left Skye Candles to pursue fishing full time and eventually had saved up enough for his own boat. Since then, his business has also expanded and he now runs two boats, one out of Armadale and one out of Elgol and has three employees.
We had a conversation with Hector about his time working for Skye Candles. Here is what he said:
What was your favourite part of working for Skye Candles?
I loved working alongside friends and the great atmosphere that came along with it. Seeing the transition from the bothy to the workshop and realising that the business was taking off was also really cool.
Is there a lesson you learned at Skye Candles that you feel you’ve carried with you?
I learned not to be afraid to try new things and also gained the courage to start my own business. People can find it very daunting to do so in an area like this, but Skye Candles showed it was possible.
Have you always had the same favourite Skye Candles fragrance?
Mango, it was one of the very first and I still love it.
Leave a comment