From pastime to full-time
When corona broke out in 2020, we theatre set designers found ourselves out of work due to the new rules on keeping distance and other safety measures.
To still give space to our creativity, we started making our own candles at home. First just as a pastime from leftover candle scraps, but after more research, we started developing scented candles based on sustainable and natural ingredients more seriously.
This unforeseen hobby soon became a full-time occupation and in 2021 we officially established FIK Kaarsen. Meanwhile, we ship candles throughout the Netherlands on a weekly basis, deliver to 60 different shops and, at our candle studio in Apeldoorn, we also have our own physical shop where it is fun to receive customers.
Meet the men behind FIK
I am Olaf Mensink, and before we started the FIK Design adventure, I was a freelance set designer and builder. After studying Spatial Design and art school in Amsterdam, I designed and developed sets for all kinds of theatre productions and escaperooms.
I am Vic Mooren, graduated as a Spatial Designer in 2016 and later as a Theatre Designer from the art academy in Utrecht. However, my creative journey took an unexpected turn during the corona period. What started as a simple hobby quickly grew into a passion for designing every detail of scented candles - from fragrance and packaging to product photography and label design.
''Coming home and lighting a soothing candle is more and more a conscious choice these days. To take a break from everything before and choose for yourself.''
