What began as a moment of curiosity during a global lockdown evolved into a meaningful entrepreneurial venture rooted in creativity, craftsmanship, and sustainability. Founded by Angelica Gonsalves, La Bougie is more than a candle brand, it is the story of a young entrepreneur who transformed a passion project into a thriving business while still pursuing her education.
From Online Classes to Creative Discovery
Angelica Gonsalves was just nineteen years old and pursuing her Bachelor of Business Administration when the idea for La Bougie first emerged. Like many students during the COVID-19 pandemic, she found herself spending long hours at home as classes shifted online.
During this period, she came across decorative candles on social media and was immediately captivated by their artistic appeal. The intricate shapes, vibrant colours, and creative possibilities sparked an interest that soon became much more than a passing fascination. Inspired to create designs of her own, she began experimenting with candle making, unaware that this newfound hobby would become the foundation of her first business.
Learning Through Passion and Persistence
Without any formal training in candle making, Angelica embarked on a journey of self-learning. She immersed herself in research, studying different waxes, wicks, techniques, and production methods. Hours were spent watching tutorials, reading industry resources, taking courses, and testing countless combinations.
The process was far from straightforward. Every failed attempt presented a new challenge, whether it involved achieving the perfect finish, improving burn performance, or maintaining consistency across products. However, these obstacles became valuable learning experiences that strengthened her understanding of the craft.
This hands-on approach not only helped her develop technical skills but also instilled qualities that continue to shape her entrepreneurial mindset, patience, resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Crafting Candles with Purpose
At the heart of La Bougie lies a simple yet meaningful philosophy: creating products that are beautiful, purposeful, and sustainable.
For Angelica, candles are more than decorative objects. They have the ability to transform spaces, create lasting memories, and become part of life’s special moments. This belief influences every aspect of the brand, from product design to material selection.
La Bougie distinguishes itself through its handcrafted approach, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to environmentally conscious practices. Every candle is designed to balance aesthetics with functionality while contributing to a more responsible and sustainable future.
Sustainability as a Core Value
Environmental responsibility has been woven into La Bougie’s identity from the beginning. Rather than relying on conventional paraffin wax, Angelica chose to work with natural soy wax and beeswax, both of which offer cleaner-burning alternatives.
The commitment extends beyond the candles themselves. Eco-friendly packaging and efforts to reduce unnecessary plastic usage reflect the brand’s broader mission of minimizing its environmental footprint. Sustainability is not treated as a marketing feature but as a guiding principle that influences daily business decisions.
Creating Meaningful Moments Through Custom Designs
La Bougie offers a diverse collection of handcrafted candles available in a variety of shapes, sizes, and designs. Over time, the brand has become particularly known for its custom creations tailored to weddings, private celebrations, and special events.
Many clients choose La Bougie candles as wedding favours, table décor, keepsakes, or statement pieces that add character and elegance to an occasion. The distinctive designs allow customers to combine practicality with artistic expression, making each candle both a decorative feature and a functional product.
Today, the business primarily focuses on bulk orders and bespoke requirements, catering to clients seeking personalized touches for memorable events.
The Power of Community and Word-of-Mouth
The growth of La Bougie was fuelled not by large marketing campaigns but through genuine customer connections. Pop-up markets provided Angelica with opportunities to interact directly with customers, showcase her work, and gain valuable insights into consumer preferences.
During her college years, referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations became powerful drivers of growth. Friends, classmates, and early supporters helped introduce the brand to new audiences, creating a network of trust that proved instrumental in building its reputation.
These experiences reinforced an important entrepreneurial lesson, the value of authentic relationships and community support in growing a business.
Milestones That Marked the Journey
Among the many highlights of Angelica’s entrepreneurial journey, several milestones remain particularly memorable. One of the earliest was the opportunity to showcase La Bougie at a Women’s Day event organized by S.S. Dempo College of Commerce & Economics while she was still completing her BBA.
Another significant achievement came when the business secured large-scale orders exceeding 400 candles for private events, demonstrating the growing demand for the brand’s creations. Having her entrepreneurial story featured in a newspaper article also served as a proud moment, validating the hard work and dedication invested in building the business.
Equally important have been the customers themselves. Their encouragement, positive feedback, and constructive suggestions have played a crucial role in helping La Bougie evolve and improve over time.
Creativity Beyond the Workshop
Outside of entrepreneurship, Angelica enjoys sports, reading, meeting new people, and learning from diverse perspectives. Her interactions with others often inspire new design ideas and creative directions for the brand.
These interests have helped shape both her products and her approach to business. Curiosity, creativity, and a willingness to embrace new ideas continue to influence the evolution of La Bougie and the entrepreneur behind it.
Looking Ahead While Honouring the Beginning
Today, La Bougie continues to focus on custom event orders, wedding favours, table décor, and personalized candle creations. Looking to the future, Angelica envisions a brand that remains simple, accessible, purposeful, and sustainable while expanding its reach.
One of her aspirations is to see La Bougie products available in retail stores, allowing more people to experience the brand and its values.
Yet beyond its commercial ambitions, La Bougie represents something deeply personal. It was the venture that introduced Angelica to entrepreneurship, long before she fully recognized that path for herself. What started as a lockdown hobby became a transformative experience that shaped her confidence, resilience, and vision for the future.
As she continues to build new opportunities and pursue fresh ventures, La Bougie remains the brand that started it all, a first business, a powerful learning experience, and the spark that revealed the entrepreneur within.