Inside Makesy's Next Top Maker 2026: Where Creativity Meets Opportunity
Next Top Maker is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of creativity, courage, and what it really takes to build something from the ground up. With over $50,000 in prizes and an incredible lineup of sponsors—including a web development package from Codilar, a photography package from Roemont Studios, a CYTD AI SEO package, a Black Candle Makers Club membership, Candle Business Pro consulting and annual membership, a Brilliant Women’s Network leadership membership, and a Uline packaging supplies package—this experience was designed to truly elevate and support makers at every stage of their journey. But beyond the prizes, what made this competition so powerful was the people behind it.
Throughout each round, makers didn’t just submit products—they put themselves out there. They shared their stories, opened up about their journeys, showed their process, and invited our entire community into what they’re building. And that takes a different kind of bravery. Week after week, they showed up—creating, connecting, and earning the support of thousands who followed along, voted, and rooted for them. We couldn’t be more proud of every maker who stepped into this.
For the final round, we wanted to challenge our Top 5 finalists in a real, business-driven way. Each maker received $400 in Makesy credit to source materials and create an entirely new product from scratch—something they had never made before. From ideation to execution, they were tasked with building a product that not only reflected their brand, but could truly stand out and sell. They brought their ideas to life, refined every detail, and pitched their final creations—and what they delivered is nothing short of incredible. And without further ado, meet your finalists!
Ruby + Begonia
Ruby + Begonia is a brand rooted in memory, love, and the moments that shape us. Founded by Sabrina, what began as a personal outlet during one of the most difficult seasons of her life grew into something deeply meaningful. After losing her mother in 2020, Sabrina found herself searching for comfort in the small rituals they once shared—especially their love for candles. What started as a way to cope and create in a time of grief slowly evolved into a brand built on intention, healing, and connection.
At its core, Ruby + Begonia is about more than just scent. It’s about the feeling a product leaves behind—the quiet, comforting moments, the routines that ground us, and the memories we carry forward. Every candle, soap, and body product is thoughtfully crafted to bring a sense of warmth and familiarity into everyday life. There’s a softness to the brand, but also a strength—one that comes from building something out of love and carrying that forward into everything created.
Sabrina’s journey into making wasn’t planned—it unfolded through life. From serving in the Air Force to teaching, to working in business operations, each chapter brought new perspective and skills that would eventually shape Ruby + Begonia. But it was in slowing down, learning, and allowing herself to create that she found something truly her own. What began as testing, experimenting, and learning turned into a full brand—one that now lives both online and in a storefront in her hometown.
What made Ruby + Begonia stand out in Next Top Maker was the heart behind it. Sabrina showed up fully—sharing her story, her process, and the meaning behind what she creates. People didn’t just see a product—they felt the story, the intention, and the care in every detail. And they showed up in return. They followed, they voted, and they supported a brand that represents something real.
Ruby + Begonia is a reminder that some of the most meaningful things are built from life itself—from love, from loss, and from the courage to keep creating anyway. With the support of her community and fellow makers, Ruby + Begonia won Makesy's Next Top Maker 2026.
The Lowkey Co.
Lowkey Co. is built on the idea that luxury doesn’t have to be loud. Founded with a focus on simplicity, intention, and elevated everyday living, the brand is rooted in creating products that feel calm, clean, and effortlessly refined. Every detail—from scent to design—is thoughtfully considered to bring a sense of ease into the spaces we live in. It’s about slowing down, being present, and finding beauty in the quiet moments that often go unnoticed.
The story behind Lowkey Co. is one of self-discovery and stepping into something new. What began as a creative outlet quickly turned into something more—a space to explore identity, build confide
nce, and create with purpose. Like many makers, the journey wasn’t perfectly mapped out. It was built through trial, learning, and trusting the process, even when the outcome wasn’t fully clear. That willingness to start, adjust, and keep going became the foundation of the brand.
As Lowkey Co. grew, so did the vision. What started small evolved into a brand centered around intentional living—products designed not just to smell good, but to create a feeling. Clean, minimalist, and elevated, each piece reflects a desire to strip away the unnecessary and focus on what truly matters. It’s a brand that doesn’t try to do too much—it does the right things, thoughtfully.
What made Lowkey Co. stand out in Next Top Maker was that clarity. The brand knows exactly what it is and who it’s for. There’s confidence in the simplicity, and a strong point of view that carries through every detail. Showing up consistently, sharing the journey, and letting the brand speak for itself allowed people to connect with it in a real way. And that connection turned into support.
Lowkey Co. is proof that you don’t have to be the loudest to be noticed. When something is intentional, grounded, and real—it speaks for itself.
Limoké
Limoké is more than a candle brand—it’s a reflection of mindset, growth, and self-compassion. Founded by Fumi, Limoké was created with a clear and powerful intention: to illuminate self-compassion through everyday rituals. Each candle is rooted in positive self-talk, aligned with affirmations, and designed to be more than scent—it’s a reminder of how you speak to yourself, how you show up, and how you move through the world. This isn’t just about fragrance filling a space. It’s about creating moments that center you, ground you, and encourage you to lead with intention.
Fumi’s journey with Limoké is one of persistence and belief. She first applied to Next Top Maker years ago—in 2020 and again in 2021—and didn’t win. But instead of stepping back, she kept building. When the opportunity came around again, she decided to go for it one more time, simply because it “didn’t hurt to try.” What followed was a steady climb—moving from round to round, proving not just the strength of her brand, but the growth behind it. That same determination has been part of Limoké from the very beginning. On launch day, the brand sold out in just 90 minutes—something that didn’t happen by accident, but through deep connection with her community, intentional storytelling, and people who believed in what she was creating enough to show up and support it.
Since that moment, Limoké has continued to evolve alongside Fumi herself. Building the business challenged her in every way—mentally, physically, and spiritually—and pushed her to grow not just as a founder, but as a person. That growth is woven into the brand. It’s in the affirmations. It’s in the messaging. It’s in the belief that what you speak over your life matters. Fumi leads with that mindset fully—believing in saying your goals out loud, sharing your vision, and trusting the process as it unfolds.
What made Limoké stand out in Next Top Maker wasn’t just the product—it was the energy behind it. Fumi showed up with intention, with vulnerability, and with a clear sense of purpose. And people felt that. They followed along, supported her journey, and rallied behind a brand that stands for something deeper. Limoké is a reminder that building something meaningful starts from within—and when you lead with belief, others will believe in it too.
Flyover Candle Company
Flyover Candle Company is rooted in something deeper than fragrance—it’s rooted in memory. Founder Maddie Kano grew up next door to her grandparents, spending much of her childhood with her grandma, where some of her most meaningful moments were made in the basement “kid zone,” always with a sweet, creamy vanilla candle burning nearby.
That scent became part of everything—the laughter, the time together, the feeling of home. After her granny passed in 2019, Maddie found herself returning to those moments for comfort, and from that, Flyover was born. Not just as a candle brand, but as a way to recreate and share those core scent memories with others.
Today, Flyover is built around that same intention—creating clean, thoughtful products that fit seamlessly into everyday life while leaving a lasting emotional impact. Whether it’s lighting a candle before dinner or spritzing a pillow before bed, each product is designed to help customers create their own meaningful rituals. In a soy-dominated Midwest market, Maddie chose to go a different route, ultimately falling in love with coconut wax blends after extensive testing. The result is a clean, smooth, elevated finish paired with an incredible hot throw—perfectly aligned with Flyover’s minimalist, luxury-forward aesthetic. Alongside candles, their alcohol-free room and linen sprays offer a versatile, everyday way to bring scent into any space.
What made Flyover stand out in Next Top Maker wasn’t just the product—it was the heart behind it. Maddie showed up, shared her story, and invited thousands of people into something real. And they responded. They followed along, they voted, and they supported her because they could feel the intention behind every detail. Flyover Candle Company is a reminder that the most powerful brands aren’t just built—they’re lived, remembered, and shared.
Patrick Row Maison
Patrick Row Maison is not just a fragrance brand—it’s a statement of identity, intention, and global luxury. Founded by Beatrice Olumhense, the brand begins with meaning. In her culture, her given name “Ore” means "it is well"—a reflection of peace, serenity, and grounding. That belief is the foundation of everything she creates. Before becoming a founder, Beatrice spent years as a florist, learning how nature communicates—how scent shifts a space, how presence can be felt before a word is spoken, and how something as simple as a single stem can transform an entire environment. That understanding, combined with experiences traveling across 21 countries, shaped her vision for something greater: a fragrance and wellness house that reflects the power of space, memory, and intention.
Handcrafted in Lagos and designed for the world, Patrick Row
Maison blends global inspiration with deeply rooted cultural identity. Each fragrance captures a moment—a memory carried across places like the humid beachfronts of Yas Island, springtime in Kensington, or the richness of Casablanca. But these are not just candles. They are objects. Collectibles. Pieces designed to live beyond the burn—interior statements that hold presence long after the flame is gone. Every detail reflects a brand that understands luxury not as excess, but as intention—something thoughtful, refined, and deeply personal.
As the brand prepares to launch its Heritage Collection, Beatrice is expanding that vision even further—honoring the richness of African culture and craftsmanship while positioning it on a global stage. Patrick Row Maison is not inspired by Africa—it is made in Africa, for the world’s most elevated spaces. Hotels, spas, and homes where luxury is defined not by trend, but by meaning. Beatrice showed up with confidence, purpose, and a brand that feels both deeply rooted and globally expansive. She isn’t just building a candle company—she’s building proof that luxury has an African address.
closing thoughts
What makes Next Top Maker so powerful isn’t just the outcome—it’s the journey. The late nights, the testing, the courage to share something personal, and the community that forms around it. These makers didn’t just compete—they inspired. And as this chapter comes to a close, we’re already looking ahead to what’s next. Because the next idea, the next story, the next Top Maker… is already out there! Keep making it happen, makers!
