9-y-o entrepreneur lights the way with Zimmie Candle Studio

At an age when most children are occupied with games and television, nine-year-old Zymena ‘Zimmie’ Boyce is building a business.
The soon-to-be grade five student at Jessie Ripoll Primary School is the founder of Zimmie Candle Studio, a venture through which she handcrafts scented candles for a growing customer base.
Boyce’s entrepreneurial journey began at age four while helping her mother prepare candles as Christmas gifts.
“My mother was making candles as Christmas gifts for a friend, and I started helping her. She had me weighing the wax, cleaning the candle containers, adding fragrances, and mixing everything together,” Boyce said.
Those early lessons also introduced her to one of business’s most important principles: precision.
“Sometimes I would get angry when mommy made me measure the wax again and again until I got the right number on the scale, but I really enjoyed helping her,” she said.
What began as a family activity soon evolved into something more ambitious.
“It became more than a hobby when customers started paying me instead of my mom. That’s when I wanted it to become a real business. I loved having money to buy my own snacks,” she said.
Entrepreneurship came naturally. Both of Boyce’s parents own businesses, and her older sisters, Amanda and Rebecca, have launched ventures in Barbados.
“When my mom had business meetings with my sisters, I was allowed to be part of them. I learned a lot just by listening. The business itself carries a deeply personal touch. My mom named it after me so it would really feel like my business. She makes me count the money and do stock-taking, so I have to take responsibility,” Boyce said of her Barbadian mother, who studied in Jamaica and has lived on the island for nearly two decades.
Today, Boyce understands that running a business extends far beyond making candles.
“I think what makes Zimmie Candle Studio different is that it’s run by a child. Most candle businesses are owned by adults. I am learning how to build a business now so that when I get older, I will already know what I need to do to be successful,” she said.
The studio’s fragrance collections are inspired by personal memories, particularly those linked to her move from Barbados to Jamaica.
“My mother asks me about the things I miss from Barbados. Then she creates fragrance samples and asks me how they make me feel. One reminds me of how my dad smells, and another reminds me of the sweets my sister always bought for me after school,” she said.
Making each candle has become second nature. Boyce measures and melts soy wax, prepares containers and wicks, and, with her mother’s assistance, pours the wax before labelling the finished product. The candles are then left to cure for two weeks before sale.
QUALITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
“My mom has breast cancer, so she has taught me to be careful about the chemicals found in many products. That’s why we use soy wax because it’s a renewable plant-based resource, and our fragrances are plant-based too,” she said.
Like many entrepreneurs, Boyce has encountered setbacks.
“Sometimes when I go to events, I introduce myself to adults, and they ignore me or don’t buy my candles. I think some people believe children can’t run businesses,” she said.
Rather than discouraging her, those experiences have strengthened her determination.
“My mom gives me a pep talk and tells me not to give up. Even when people say no, it makes me want to try a different approach,” she said.
Among her favourite business memories is meeting Jamaican cricket star Chris Gayle.
“I didn’t even know who he was until my mom’s friend told me. He bought my candles, took a picture with me, and told me they smelled great. My grandfather was so jealous because Chris Gayle is one of his favourite cricketers,” she said.
She has also met several other notable figures, including Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Experiences, she says, have boosted her confidence. Social media has, likewise, played an important role in growing the business.
“I like sharing pictures with my customers and showing people how my business is doing. Some customers even send me encouraging messages, ask me how school is going, and order candles through Instagram,” she said.
This summer, Boyce plans to participate in more pop-up markets and expand her Inspiration Candle Collection with new scents inspired by special memories and experiences.
Despite her success, she remains focused on encouraging other young people to pursue their ambitions.
“Always follow your dreams. Having a business helps you do well in school because it teaches responsibility. It also helps you earn money that you can save for college or university and even use to help other people,” she said.
keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com