Bolton: Business savvy mum to open Scents @No3 shop

Kelly Atkinson was inspired to set up her firm ‘Scents @No3’ after she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in 2017 aged 39.

She previously worked as a dental practice manager for Bupa and became inspired to do "something for herself" that wasn’t as high pressured.

Kelly is now in remission and will routinely go for checks for the next five years, after undergoing surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy.

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Kelly said: “I needed something that was also flexible for hospital appointments and days where I’m not feeling so well.

“I had no family history of it and it was a shock.

“But after going through that experience, it makes you re-evaluate your life.

Kelly, husband Stephen and son Aiden at their business unit (Image: Public)

“As a family it has just worked out so well.”

The family business has been online for three years.

Aiden, Kelly’s son was studying digital marketing at college when he decided to start the business with his mum.

The new shop will be based in Astley Bridge on Blackburn Road.

The family opened their first unit in Little Hulton in October 2020 and the business grew fast.

She added: “I’m really excited.

“I never thought in a million years that something that started off so small would grow so quickly.

“For the past few months, we wanted a shop, but we wanted it in the right area.

“This one came up and it seems perfect for what we need.

“It’s a nice local community where there are also lots of other shops.

“It’s a closeknit family business.”

Kelly with her products (Image: Public)

One of the huge benefits Kelly says, is the parking, where people will be able to do click and collect by parking at the side and behind the shop.

The shop will mainly sell wax melts, wax burners, bath, and body products, as well as a selection of gifts.

Kelly added: “I have always had an obsession with wax melts and love the smell of them.”

As the business grew so did the team, and Kelly’s husband Stephen quit his day job to make wax melts from scratch at their unit in Moses Gate.

Kelly's sister, Sarah Howe, joined the team alongside Aiden's partner, Cheyanne Martin-Barkess, within six months.

With many businesses concerned for the future, Kelly remains hopeful for the business.

She said: “Because we are already established, I think we are going to be okay.

“Customers have been asking for a shop for a long time, and the time was right for us now that we found the right premises.

Scents @No3 products (Image: Public)

“If something feels right you just have to go for it.”

She says that she is most looking forward to meeting people again and "putting faces to names".

She added: “With everything online you don’t get that face-to-face contact.

“It will be nice being able to connect and spend time with customers and the Astley Bridge community, which is important.”

The shop is expected to open on October 1, which will be open from 9-4 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Friday, and Saturday.

If you would like to check out the products click here (www.scentsatno3.co.uk).

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If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.