In 2017 Kellie Russell launched her own business, Sweet Scents by Kellie - producing homemade candles and scents in stylish glassware.

Before COVID-19 hit Australian shores, Mrs Russell's business involved travelling around Victoria and setting up market stalls to sell her popular products.

But for the last 18 months, the primary method of running her business has been stifled by outbreaks, lockdowns and COVID-19 restrictions.

"I go to markets each week and normally I have markets each weekend where I set up my gazebos and my glassware which helps set me a part from lots of candle businesses," Mrs Russell said.

"There is a lot of work that goes into it, in terms of carting it all around and managing stock.

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"Some markets there will be 60-70 stallholders and that is a lot of people who rely on those markets.

"It is not sustainable to keep stopping and starting because business can't do that and do that to their employees.

"A lot of volunteers run the markets and the stall fees then get put into the community, so it is a flow-on affect.

"They are only volunteers but they have to take care of all the COVID-19 protocols and socially distance and it is just too hard for some of them."

Mrs Russell was born in Donald and moved to Stawell when she was 13. Her and Mr Russell moved back to Stawell around 13 years ago where she was working in the child care industry.

After some time, Mrs Russell decided to take the leap and start her own business.

"I was doing child care, but then I wanted to do this," she said.

"I have been doing it for a little now.

"It is something I have always wanted to do because I love my house when it smells beautiful.

"I want my products to be part of people's lives and let people dress up their homes. Instead of a picture, have a beautiful candle too that sets a nice atmosphere for your home and your wellbeing."

Right now Mrs Russell said she it was hard for her to look towards the future as so much uncertainty surrounds how her business would run.

"I have my regulars that come back, but who knows who I am missing out on," she said.

"I am trying to grow but at the moment it feels like I am going back and not forward.

"I want to go forward and get bigger and make a living and possibly employ my girls and turn it into a family business.

"I have expanded a lot onto social media and I am starting to build a website, so hopefully that will help.

"I go from day to day, week to week, that's as far as I can go.

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"I would love to look forward. This is why I have started to build my website and invest a lot of money into purchasing stock, in case my website goes well.

"If it doesn't go well then, we will have to wait and see."

Mrs Russell's husband, Gary, has also dealt with his own set of unique challenges as a fly-in fly-out worker.

Mr Russell was stuck in Queensland in 2020 as he was unable to return to Victoria due to an outbreak, while for periods of time in 2021 he has been stuck in Victoria and not able to fly to Queensland for work.

Despite the road bumps, the Stawell couple contine to remain optimistic.

"Support your local businesses and ask everyone are you okay, make sure everyone is okay," she said.

"It has got to get better, it can't continue like this.

"I have some markets and festivals booked in for later in the year, but they might be locked down too, you just don't know."

Visit Sweets Scents by Kellie online on their website.

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