How a woman from Stara Zagora went from selling homemade ice cream to crafting candles that warm hearts
You walk in and you feel it right away—that cozy scent that makes you pause for a deep breath and smile. It smells like vanilla, lemongrass, caramel… and something else you can’t quite name, but it wraps around you like comfort. This is the world of Stanka Zrankova, the woman behind Sunny Yellow Candles—a brand built with patience, trial and error, and a real love of the craft. It’s not just about selling. It’s about creating a feeling.
“Back then, no one really knew what ‘entrepreneur’ meant”
The year is 1992. Stanka and her then-partner mortgage their home to buy an ice cream machine. They made it work—selling in the center of Stara Zagora—and gradually grew the setup: popcorn, lemonade, better equipment, and display cases to fit more of what they had to offer. “The ideas were his, but I was the one who made them happen. The logistics, the people, the production—that was my job.”
It wasn’t easy. After they separated, the business didn’t last. Stanka spent the next several years working in shops, waiting tables, managing loans. “It was nonstop—two ringing phones, never a break.” But the longing to build something of her own never went away.
A time for rediscovery
Years later, she found herself in England—no job, no familiar faces, just her child and long, quiet days. “I was used to never having time. And suddenly, everything slowed down. The phone didn’t ring. It was just me, the kid, and a whole lot of time to fill.”
She started with handmade cards—carefully crafted, one-of-a-kind, made with love. Gifts for friends, just for fun. Then came the candles—first out of curiosity, then out of passion. “I’ve always loved lighting candles. Even when I’m alone at dinner. They just make everything feel more special.”
Her first candles were poured into mustard jars. She gifted them to friends, brought them to events, sold them on Etsy. “I started to notice people gravitating toward them. Smiling. Sniffing. They kept coming back for more.” People loved them because they were made from natural materials, carried a personal touch, and—quite simply—sparked joy.
From uncertainty to confidence
In 2020, right in the middle of the pandemic, Stanka returned to Bulgaria—not quite sure if she’d stay. But things lined up, and she did. And she gave the candles a second chance. She started showing up at farmer’s markets, getting feedback, meeting people. She also joined the entrepreneurial program BASE (Business Academy for Starting Entrepreneurs).
“For a long time, I didn’t have the confidence to show what I was doing. BASE gave me not just knowledge, but people who felt like my tribe—people who also wanted to create. I really needed that.”
Now she knows this isn’t a side project. It’s the path she wants to follow full-time.
Candles you don’t even need to light
Stanka makes scented candles that fill a room even before you strike a match. Candles for special occasions, meltable wax hearts, custom-branded gifts, corporate sets. She works with high-quality fragrances, chooses them carefully, and tests each one. “There are scents I’ve used for years. I know they’re long-lasting and pleasing to the senses.”
Everything is handmade. Sometimes family helps—sticking labels, tying ribbons, adding little details. Her studio is no longer the kitchen table, but a dedicated space. “When I’m making candles, it doesn’t feel like work. It’s time that recharges me.”
What people are saying
Stanka isn’t chasing recognition. She just wants to make people happy. And when her candles reach someone, the responses say it all:
“I got one of her lovely candles as a gift, and my whole room smelled like Christmas for five hours straight. Highly recommend!”
“The entire house smells amazing from just one candle. Lilac and Christmas orange were the last two scents I tried. And they’re always so adorably packaged. Just beautiful!”
“I’m truly impressed by the quality and craftsmanship.”
For Stanka, this is what matters most.
A gift that means something
If you’ve ever said, “I need something small but special,” Sunny Yellow Candles might be exactly what you’re looking for. A little jar of warmth. A handful of comfort. And a story behind every candle.
🕯️ Explore the collection: www.sunnyyellowcandles.com
To learn more about BASE editions near you or to get involved as a mentor or lecturer, visit: https://baseprogram.bg/
