Newsletter subscription
Log in
Menu
15/11/2022

Maëva Mace, a young KEDGE Business School entrepreneur, has launched a new project.

With a love for candles and a desire to protect the environment, she created the first natural candle that is easy to make.

Maëva Mace created Totem: an innovative project that respects the environment.

🕯 A DIY kit that makes candle-making easy and accessible to all.

“Making a candle yourself isn’t an easy task”, warns Maëva, the Founder of Totem, who developed her entrepreneurial project while attending KEDGE Business School.

 

In fact, candle-making requires special tools and materials, patience, and know-how. But, what if everyone could easily make candles without all the difficulties? 

 

That’s the aim of Totem, a new French startup, which aims to democratise the “Do It Yourself” movement by allowing anyone to have more control and transparency over what they buy, through a simple and fun activity.  

🌍 From a market oversaturated with toxic candles to a reusable DIY kit with natural ingredients

“When you buy a candle do you ever wonder what it is made of?” That’s the key question raised by Kedger Maëva. 

 

The vast majority of candles sold are made from petroleum-based wax (paraffine) and allergen-producing perfumes. “Without realising it, when we burn these candles we are inhaling substances that are not only harmful to the environment but also our health”, Maëva warns us.

 

With Totem, you can personalise your natural candle-making kit by choosing the colour of the wax (made from soy), a perfume without allergen-producing substances, and using biodegradable decorative items such as glitter and dried flowers. As well as being recyclable, the kit has a refill component, making it completely reusable. You can therefore make as many candles as you want without worrying about the planet or your health! 💪

Who's behind TOTEM? 👀

Maëva has an unusual background. She obtained a diploma in Cinema and Audio-visual Studies before embarking on a Master in Management from KEDGE Business School.

 

🎓She enrolled in KEDGE's MSc Art & Creative Industries Management programme, before deciding instead to pursue a Masters in International Business to increase her knowledge of the world of sales and entrepreneurship. Her project came to life during the first year of her Master at KEDGE Business School, in particular after she participated in the KEDGE Entrepreneurship Business Creators programme.

 

Maëva advocates for more fair and ethical consumption practices by offering a kit that is Made in France and made with natural products.🌿Her recyclable and reusable kit, which is refillable, you can save money on your candle purchases, and enjoy a unique candle that can last up to 60 hours.

 

💬 TESTIMONIAL

"The pre-incubation programme taught  me to figure out many key factors, to think about Totem’s strategy, and to get out of my comfort zone."

 

"From negotiating with suppliers, to creating content on social media, the days are divided into different everyday tasks. It’s really stimulating despite the heavy workload."

 

ARE YOU ALSO LAUNCHING A STARTUP?🚀

KEDGE is here for you! KEDGE Entrepreneurship has developed a range of three programmes, depending on the maturity of your project. Find out what programme is best for you, and go for it!

YOU ARE NOMINATED, YOU LAUNCH A PROJECT, A START-UP?

0 Comment

You must be logged in to leave a comment.

No comment