Meet Inna Pavlichenko | Creator, Hand Made

We had the good fortune of connecting with Inna Pavlichenko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Inna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was searching for something that combined creativity, working with my hands, and sharing warmth with others. After moving to the U.S., I felt a strong desire to create something of my own — something that brings a sense of comfort and home. Making candles became my way of expressing beauty, calm, and a touch of magic. What began as a hobby slowly turned into a true passion project.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My candles are a blend of decorative art, aromatherapy, and emotion. I create candles shaped like desserts, flowers, and magical scenes — so that each one brings not just a scent, but a feeling.

What sets my work apart is the attention to detail, the entirely handmade process, and my goal to create pieces that people don’t just want to light — they want to display them as decor.

I’m most proud of starting everything from scratch, in a new country, without resources or connections. I had fears — the language, not knowing the system, starting from zero — but I had a strong desire to create. Step by step, it became a small business.

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is not to wait for the perfect moment. Start with what you have, and trust that your product will find the right people.

My brand, Not Just A Candle, is about soul, comfort, and a little magic. It’s not just a candle — it’s a piece of a story, made with love.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend came to visit, I’d want to show her everything I’ve grown to love about this city.

We’d start the day with coffee at a local spot with atmosphere — maybe Pour Cleveland or 27 Club Coffee — then take a walk along the Lake Erie waterfront or explore the Rocky River Reservation.

One of the must-see places would be the West Side Market — it’s full of local character and delicious things to try.

We’d spend a day exploring the Cleveland Museum of Art or just wandering around University Circle.

For dinner, I’d take her somewhere with a view — like Collision Bend Brewery or Pier W — followed by live music at a cozy neighborhood bar.

And of course, we’d need a chill day too — walking, lighting candles, maybe creating something together in my studio.

What excites me most are places with soul: creative people, small businesses, cozy coffee shops, and artistic spaces. That’s what I love to share with visitors.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a big thank you to my friends and early customers who believed in my candles from the very beginning. They didn’t just buy — they supported me, shared feedback, and gave me the motivation to keep going. I’m also incredibly grateful to the Ukrainian community, which always finds ways to lift each other up, even when we’re far from home. Their kind words and faith in what I do have given me so much strength.

Website: https://notjustacandle.store

Instagram: http://instagram.com/notjust_acandle/

Other: my prime Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/just_0ne_girl/

Image Credits
Inna Pavlichenko