Sugar Creek Candle Co.
About The Company
Sugar Creek Candle Co. is a small, handcrafted candle business that outgrew its home operation and opened its first storefront. Built on a reputation for 100% natural and hypoallergenic candles, the brand had developed a loyal local following — but no digital presence to match. I was brought on to build that presence from the ground up, creating a website that extended their brand identity online and supported both in-store and online sales. The goal was to give Sugar Creek a professional platform that could grow alongside the business and open the door to a wider customer base.
Problem Statement
Despite a strong brand and a brand new storefront, Sugar Creek had no way to reach customers beyond their immediate community. There was no place to shop online, no hub to promote seasonal products or upcoming events, and no digital touchpoint to keep their growing audience connected. For a business at this stage of growth, that gap was costing them real opportunity. The solution also had to work within real constraints — a two-month timeline and a small, non-technical team who needed to manage the site independently once it launched.
Research & Insights
I started by studying the brand closely — their existing logo, aesthetic, tone, and target audience — to understand what made Sugar Creek distinct in the artisan candle market.
From there, I conducted a competitive analysis of similar small candle businesses, identifying what worked, what didn't, and where Sugar Creek had room to stand out. Key takeaways included:
From there, I conducted a competitive analysis of similar small candle businesses, identifying what worked, what didn't, and where Sugar Creek had room to stand out. Key takeaways included:
• Customers expect a warm, story-driven experience from artisan brands
• Clean navigation and strong product imagery drive conversions
• Small business sites often fail when they're hard to maintain — leading to outdated content and inconsistent branding
• Clean navigation and strong product imagery drive conversions
• Small business sites often fail when they're hard to maintain — leading to outdated content and inconsistent branding
This research directly shaped the design direction and platform decision.
Design Goals
Going into the project, I defined three core goals that guided every decision:
• Brand Consistency — Carry the existing identity seamlessly into the digital space without a full rebrand
• Ease of Use — Build something the small, non-technical team could manage and update independently
• Scalability — Design with future growth in mind, including new product lines and event offerings
My Role
• Led end-to-end web design, from research through final delivery
• Developed a digital color palette rooted in the existing logo
• Created wireframes and user flow maps to guide the site architecture
• Researched and recommended the right platform for the team's needs
• Collaborated directly with the owners throughout the process
• Tools & Skills: Wireframing, competitive analysis, brand translation, UX/UI design, client collaboration, Shopify
Process
1. Brand & Competitive Research Analyzed Sugar Creek's existing identity and reviewed competitor websites to define opportunities for differentiation and set user expectations.
2. Color Palette Development Built a cohesive digital color palette from the existing logo — soft, natural tones that communicate warmth, quality, and a handcrafted feel.
3. Wireframing & User Flow Mapped out the full user journey with wireframes and a storyboard, prioritizing intuitive navigation and clear paths to products and brand story.
4. Platform Selection Evaluated multiple platforms for usability, cost, and scalability. Recommended Shopify for its simple backend, built-in inventory management, and long-term flexibility — ideal for a small team with no web experience.
Outcome & Impact
The final deliverable was a fully responsive Shopify website that brought Sugar Creek's brand to life online. Results included:
• First-ever online orders and in-store pickup capability
• Expanded reach beyond the physical storefront
• A platform that scaled smoothly to support new offerings — accessories, body care products, and "Pour With Us" classes
• Consistent, on-brand promotion of seasonal products and events
• A backend simple enough for the team to manage independently
• Expanded reach beyond the physical storefront
• A platform that scaled smoothly to support new offerings — accessories, body care products, and "Pour With Us" classes
• Consistent, on-brand promotion of seasonal products and events
• A backend simple enough for the team to manage independently
