2022 Winners - Concrete and Wax
Company Name: 2Som Ltd T/A Concrete & Wax
Name: Laura Keller
Winning Product (s): The Modular Collection
Can you tell me a bit about your business and the inspiration behind your products?
We are married design duo Alex Sommer and Laura Keller (aka Mr Concrete & Mrs Wax!). We hand-pour concrete homeware and fragranced candles in small batches in our Suffolk workshop, inspired by how the two different materials work so beautifully together.
When we first set up our company we didn't just want to bring a candle brand into a busy marketplace. Nor did we want to make concrete objects that appealed for a moment and then became surplus to people's interior style. Our goal and dream was to create something to last. Investment pieces that have potential to grow and change. Pieces that can be personalised by the way they are combined. Candle holders that are multi-functional and don't rely on always having to use the same candles. Concrete that can really live a good and useful life.
Since launch, our collection has grown to include other concrete homeware items, such as our tableware collection, but the goal remains the same. To hand produce from start to finish using local craftsmen to create our prototypes from which we hand-make all of our moulds, to source locally and to create luxury products that not only look good, but that last.
In what ways has winning Gift of the Year affected your business?
First and foremost winning the award gave us an enormous boost in confidence to know that what we have created has been recognised as something special. The people that we have met through the process have been an invaluable source of information and support especially in terms of growing our business. We are fully energised and excited for what lies ahead.
Would you recommend a business to enter the GOTY awards and why?
Absolutely. It is a great way to increase the visibility of your brand and products across the industry, not only to the esteemed judging panel but also to the other brands taking part.
Would you be able to provide us with a brief testimonial about the awards and why it's important for businesses to enter?
Entering the GOTY awards was one of the best decisions we ever made. Regardless of winning (which obviously was the icing on the cake) we discovered an industry not just full of innovative products, but even better than that, an industry containing many inspiring people who go out of their way to show support and nurture small brands like ours.
To find out more about Concrete and Wax and their beautiful products then visit their website here - https://www.concreteandwax.com/
