We went to the beautiful village of Crato to get to know Ana Santos' business, a truly passionate, aromatic and Alentejo craft project. This business was born out of a major life change, which led the project's mentor to swap Dublin, Ireland, for the village of Crato in the Alentejo, leaving behind a hectic life in hospitals, as her profession as a nurse took up a large part of her time. We invite you to read this interview where you'll get to know Ana and her business a little better and how having dealt with many mental illnesses throughout her life inspired her to create this project!
DF: Ana, how did it all start and where did the idea of creating this I AM Senses project come from?
AS: I can't pinpoint the exact moment when it all began because my experiences have always encouraged me to be creative, independent and to have a business. I remember that with motherhood, the desire to be present in my daughters' lives and to stop working crazy hospital hours became even more pronounced. Later, the pandemic emphasised this desire to work close to home. It was at the end of 2020 that I AM Senses began to take shape and was launched to the world in July 2021.
DF: And what steps did you take to get here?
AS: So many that my mobile phone can't even count. I come from a health background and have very little background in marketing, social media, management, candles, aromatherapy, parcel delivery... So many things I've learnt since I made the decision to move forward. Sometimes I've made poor decisions and sometimes the results have exceeded my objectives. The biggest step to date was moving to another country and taking over a business I was just starting. I'm still travelling this bumpy road today, but with a well-defined goal. To give you an example, I'm working with Shopify on geo-location and it's been months, but we'll get there. I hope that the site will soon be in Portuguese.
DF: What was your real inspiration?
AS: All my patients and the people around me. When I was looking for a theme for the candles, the theme of affirmations came naturally. I've always had contact with mental illness and throughout my years as a nurse I've come across people with depression or who have attempted suicide. Another point to bear in mind was the pandemic and these numbers were increasing. So I thought I could try to make a difference if someone reading the label really felt generous - "I AM Kind" - and if that made them smile, it was worth it. Imagine receiving a gift from someone saying that you are beautiful (I AM beautiful) and if that perpetuates for days when you come across your candle. Imagine you had a bad day and needed someone to say something nice to you... Wouldn't that make a difference?
DF: How long did you need to experiment until you reached the final stage of your products?
AS: I can't tell you for sure because I've made candles before. I know my husband gave me a candle kit in 2020 but I didn't make it straight away. However, at the moment it takes at least three months for a product to reach the final stage. But I'm always trying new fragrances... Either because someone has mentioned it or because I went to a shop and liked the smell or because the name appeals to me and then I go and read the olfactory notes. It really is a world!
DF: What are your goals for I Am Senses?
AS: I hope to see it grow. To see my products in shops and in people's homes. To have some of the products I no longer have when I move to another country and some new ones. I'd like to have 12 different fragrances and seasonal fragrances. But everything at its own pace.
DF: How do I AM Senses candles differ from conventional candles?
AS: As well as being handmade, they are made in small batches in my atelier in Crato.
I AM Senses candles are made from soya wax, a more natural wax that lasts longer than paraffin candles, for example our smallest 100ml candle can last up to 20h. Another aspect to bear in mind is our high-quality fragrances, which have been tested and certified. You may also notice a difference in the intensity of the scent compared to an industrial candle, but this can be a subjective factor because it can vary according to your sensitivity and the size of the room in which the candle is burning.
In short, I guarantee quality and a surprised reaction for anyone who receives it.
