Online seller stories: Jade, founder of Smell-A-Licious

Building a community, one scent at a time

Jade's experience in retail gave her the confidence to start her own business. “I knew that I could sell anything from working in retail for so long,” she says.

At first, she was nervous about putting herself out there on TikTok and Facebook. But she soon realised that she had what it takes: “I thought, actually, I can do this. I have got the confidence that I know how to sell.”

Jade’s warmth shines through on social media, where she shares product demos, runs raffles and offers deals that keep customers coming back. That personal touch has built a loyal community around Smell-A-Licious, turning first-time buyers into repeat customers who part of the journey, Jade places a strong emphasis on building a community around Smell-A-Licious. Through active engagement on social media platforms like TikTok, the brand hosts raffles, shares deals and connects with customers directly. This personal touch has created a sense of belonging among customers, turning first-time buyers into repeat customers.

And Jade’s daughter is still at the heart of it all. “She’s now five and she’s really interested. She always comes into the office. She’s like, mum, can I help?”

Delivering delights with Drop & Go

To make sure her wax melts get to customers on time, Jade uses the Drop & Go service at her local Post Office branch.

This fast-drop option allows for speedy parcel drop-offs without the need to scan or weigh items. Online sellers like Jade can send parcels with Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide, with selected branches also offering DPD and Evri services.

Setting up a free Drop & Go account online is simple, and you can start using it straight away.

This service streamlines the process, allowing Jade to focus on creating new products and engaging with her customer base.

Selling online? We can help with that

Whether you’re a seasoned online seller or just getting started, your local Post Office branch can help support your business in many ways.

Sending your parcels:

• Drop & Go: A quick-drop service for frequent senders, Drop & Go allows you to drop off parcels with Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide, DPD or Evri, where available. Simply check with your local branch to see which services they provide. Sign up for a free Drop & Go account to get started
• Parcels Online: Make bulk shipping easier with Parcels Online. Simply connect your account with marketplaces like Amazon, eBay and TikTok to import your orders and sort the postage online. Then, drop off your parcels at your local Post Office branch when you’re ready to send them
• Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide: Trusted names for over 500 years, Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide offer reliable UK and international delivery with a low carbon footprint. Choose from next day, tracking and signature options. Available in all 11,500+ Post Office branches
• DPD services: Fast and reliable with 99% on-time delivery, DPD offer one-hour delivery slots, photo confirmation and parcel redirection en route. Available in selected Post Office branches
• Evri services: An affordable tracked option, Evri deliver 98% of parcels on time and provide photo confirmation. Parcels can also be redirected in transit if needed. Available in selected branches
• Drop-off services: Even if you’re selling through a platform that includes postage as part of the transaction, you can still drop off your items at a Post Office branch. Check the platform’s settings and choose a postage option with a courier we accept at your preferred branch. That way, you can send off everything you’ve sold in one convenient place with no need to visit multiple drop-off points

Banking services:

• Run a business? Pop into your local Post Office branch to pay in cash or cheques from in-person sales. We offer banking services services most UK accounts to help you manage your money easily

Meet the postmaster

Jade says her local postmaster, Ying, has been a huge support. “I asked her, would you have my wax melts in the Post Office? And she was absolutely, like, yes, straight away.”

Jade goes on to reflect: “I thought that I didn't have the confidence, but maybe Ying gave me the confidence. If she never asked me what my business was, my business would never be in there.”