Meet the Makers

Every project starts with a dream—and the makers who make it real. Discover Maker Monday stories, explore their products, and share their light.

Meet Tosha Marshall, founder of Soul Sista Body Essentials in Apex, NC.

Soul Sista Body Essentials is a handcrafted skincare and home fragrance brand rooted in care, intention, and natural ingredients. Tosha is truly a one-woman powerhouse, creating everything from rich body butters and nourishing oils to sugar scrubs, bath salts, bar soaps, candles, room sprays, reed diffusers, and wax melts.

Her journey began during the COVID pandemic, sparked by a deeply personal need. Living with psoriasis and caring for a son with eczema, Tosha set out to find solutions that actually worked. Through experimenting with natural butters and ingredients, she discovered not only relief, but a passion. That passion became Soul Sista Body Essentials.

“What started as a challenge turned into something empowering.”

One of her standout bestsellers? Moroccan Cashmere Body Butter, a soft, sensual scent that customers keep coming back for again and again.

What we admire and find unique: Tosha’s work is rooted in resilience, care, and creativity, transforming personal challenges into products that help others feel confident and cared for in their skin and space.

Meet Marissa Ross, founder of Rainy Day Dreamz in Carrollton, VA.

Rainy Day Dreamz is a small-batch candle brand inspired by quiet moments, nostalgia, and the comforting atmosphere of home. Marissa hand-pours each candle herself, carefully blending fragrances and choosing clean ingredients to create scents that feel gentle, familiar, and dreamlike.

Her journey began with a love for how scent can shift a space, but also from a personal need. After experiencing sensitivities to many store-bought candles, she began researching ingredients and experimenting with cleaner blends she could feel good about burning in her own home.

“Lighting a candle felt like pressing pause on the world for a moment.”

What started as a personal mission slowly became something more: a creative outlet for crafting small rituals of calm that people can return to again and again.

What we admire and find unique: Marissa’s candles are rooted in stillness and intention. Reminding us that the smallest rituals can bring the most comfort.

Meet Tiffany L. Phelps (she/her), founder of Strike & Flame Candle Bar in Greensboro, NC.

Strike & Flame Candle Bar is an interactive candle-making experience and home fragrance brand built around creativity, connection, and self-care. Guests create custom candles using a 90+ fragrance sniff wall, blending scents to design something uniquely their own.

What began as Tiffany’s personal curiosity about clean-burning candles evolved into years of research, experimentation, and candle making. That passion eventually led her to open Greensboro’s first candle bar, turning candle making into a memorable, community-driven experience.

Today, Strike & Flame offers eco-friendly soy candles, wax melts, room mists, car diffusers, and DIY take-home candle kits, all rooted in a chic, modern, and welcoming atmosphere.

One unexpected star of the studio? The giant wax melters that power the shop are industrial machines that spark conversation and help the team fulfill large wholesale orders with ease.

What we admire and find unique: With Strike & Flame, Tiffany transformed curiosity into a vibrant creative space where fragrance, learning, and community come together.

Meet Joel Gamache (he/him), founder of Moodgie in Montréal, QC, Canada.

Moodgie is a premium home fragrance brand rooted in atmosphere, ritual, and intentional design. Built by a hands-on team of nine, Moodgie creates soy candles, reed diffusers, charcoal-based incense sticks, and room sprays. All of which are developed in-house, from scent creation to final packaging. Their aesthetic is minimal, warm, and textural: amber glass, natural tones, subtle contrasts, refined typography. Timeless rather than trend-driven.

“We don’t just sell fragrance. We build atmosphere. Air is our raw material. We perfume it without compromising it.”

Moodgie didn’t start as a side project. It started as a decision. At 30, Joel left his job, sold his house and car, and moved into a small apartment to build something of his own. What fascinated him wasn’t just candles, it was atmosphere. How scent shifts energy. How a room can change how you feel. That curiosity turned into an obsession with treating air as a material, something shaped with intention.

The early days were intense. Long hours. Limited resources. Constant problem-solving. But the vision was always bigger than the fear. Over time, Moodgie evolved from a one-person operation into a growing national brand with a team of nine, while staying deeply involved in the creative and production process.

What we admire and find unique: Joel and the Moodgie team have built with patience, intention, and conviction. Their work goes beyond home fragrance…it’s about how a space feels. It’s quiet, thoughtful, and elevated. It’s atmosphere as art.

Meet Gustavo and Erick Garcia (he/him), the duo behind Aromas Aztecas in Pingree Grove, IL.

Aromas Aztecas is a culturally inspired home fragrance brand celebrating the depth and beauty of ancient Aztec traditions and modern Mexican culture. Gustavo hand-pours 100% soy wax candles, room + linen sprays, and reed diffusers designed to capture the earthy, spicy notes of the past and the vibrant, fresh aromas of today. Each scent tells a story rooted in heritage.

“Every product is intentional. Every fragrance is chosen with care. Every story is rooted in culture.”

After graduating with a degree in art, Gustavo’s path led him into the world of fragrance regulation, where he built a career working with formulations, compliance, and safer fragrance standards, and now serves as a Fragrance Regulatory Director at a large fragrance house. While this technical background shaped his deep understanding of what goes into fragrance (and what’s intentionally left out), Aromas Aztecas was born from a different need: the need to create.

Feeling disconnected from his creative side after years in the corporate fragrance world, Gustavo began hand-pouring home fragrances to merge science and soul. As the brand took shape, he realized Mexican culture was largely missing from the home fragrance space. Aromas Aztecas became his way of honoring that absence by bringing culture, memory, and meaning into people’s homes through scent.

Their top-selling fragrance? Quetzalcoatl’s Storm

Inspired by CandleScience’s Azure Coast and reimagined through an Aztec lens, this scent channels wind, movement, and strength, offering a powerful interpretation that has deeply resonated with customers.

What we admire and find unique: Gustavo and Erick have built a brand that lives at the intersection of heritage and home, creativity and chemistry. Their work goes beyond fragrance. It is storytelling, representation, and cultural celebration. It’s intentional, soulful, and beautifully human.

Meet Andrea Davis (she/her), the maker behind Motherland Essentials in Summerville, SC.

Motherland Essentials is a soap and body care brand rooted in intention, expression, and a deep connection to land and community. Inspired by the Lowcountry’s abundant farmlands and the rich history of the Gullah Geechee people, Andrea formulates long-lasting soaps and self-care products using native and thoughtfully sourced ingredients whenever possible.

One of their top-selling bars? Okra & Aloe Soap. Fresh okra is boiled, blended, and combined with aloe before being added to a cold process recipe, creating a vitamin-rich, skin-loving bar that’s gentle, nourishing, and perfect for everyday use.

“We’re really about using what you’ve got and creating with intention. All the colors, scents, and designs are a reflection of expression.”

Andrea’s journey into soapmaking began in 2014 after experiencing an unimaginable loss, the passing of her son, Elijah, at 20 weeks into pregnancy. With limited bereavement time and little mental health support, Andrea made the courageous decision to step away from work and focus on healing.

Soapmaking became a creative outlet, a form of therapy, and eventually a way to build community. By sharing the real, raw process of learning a new craft, Andrea found connection and in turn, began supporting others through partnerships with grassroots organizations like Mugs for Moms and by collaborating with and donating to nonprofits throughout the Charleston area.

What we admire and find unique: Andrea creates from a place of honesty, resilience, and care. Her work goes beyond soap…it’s storytelling, remembrance, and community-building. It’s thoughtful, expressive, and rooted in love.

Meet Danashia Bentley (she/her), the heart and hands behind Bentley Candle Co in Atlanta, GA.

Bentley Candle Co. is a one-woman candle brand rooted in clean, natural ingredients and fragrances that truly make you feel something. Danashia handcrafts candles, room sprays, and wax melts with a cozy-chic sensibility, the kind of scents that feel like a warm hug from home. 

Each fragrance is blended by hand, poured in small batches, and created with intention, beauty, and care.

“Everything I make is meant to bring warmth, comfort, and a little mood lift when you need it most.”

Danashia has always been a creative at heart…from theatrical makeup to becoming a master hair colorist, self-expression has long been part of who she is. After COVID, while at home caring for her four children (including two toddlers), she began to feel disconnected from her creative side. 

A simple candle-making hobby lit something up inside her again. What started as a small escape quickly became a passion. And with the support of her family, she took a leap of faith into entrepreneurship. Today, Bentley Candle Co. is the result of spark, a lot of courage, and so much love.

What we admire and find unique: Danashia has built a business that is heartfelt, intentional, and deeply personal. Her small-batch creations go beyond fragrance, offering comfort, connection, and a sense of home. It’s cozy, soulful, and made with purpose.

Meet DeAngelo Millner (he/him), the one-person powerhouse behind D Scents Candles & More in Greensboro, NC…a purpose-driven fragrance brand rooted in intention, storytelling, and community.

D Scents creates luxury candles, room sprays, perfumes, and immersive candle-making experiences designed to go far beyond scent. Every product is meant to feel like a moment, an exhale, a rest, a reminder to live life on purpose, with purpose.

Each fragrance is thoughtfully blended to support emotional connection, healing, confidence, or calm. And many are paired with affirmational names and intention-setting moments.

“My candles aren’t just something you light. They’re something you feel.”

D Scents began in 2021 during a season of personal transformation. Unable to find candles that felt layered, expressive, and emotionally grounded, DeAngelo set out to create fragrance that told real stories … fragrance that felt like home.

At the same time, he was ready to live out loud, seeking a creative outlet that reflected who he was becoming while building something meaningful of his own. What started as candles evolved into intentional candles, experiences designed with purpose behind them. Today, every pour is created to help people exhale, exist, and create space for the moment they’re in.

What truly sets D Scents apart is the experience. Through a mobile candle bar, in-studio sessions, and guided blending, guests are invited to slow down, reflect, and pour with intention, whether they’re celebrating, healing, dating, or simply choosing themselves.

What we admire and find unique: DeAngelo blends modern luxury with warmth, affirmation, and soulful storytelling. It’s elevated yet inviting, deeply personal, and rooted in authenticity. As a Gay Black-owned business, D Scents centers freedom, self-expression, and purpose in subtle but powerful ways.

Meet LaToya Anderson (she/her), the one-woman powerhouse behind Something More Candle Co. in Knightdale, NC.

Something More Candle Co is a holistic candle and wellness brand rooted in spirituality, energy work, and intentional living. LaToya handcrafts Reiki-infused soy candles, wax melts, car diffusers, intention oils, shower steamers, salves, and spiritual tools, each designed to support grounding, clarity, emotional balance, and personal transformation.

“Every candle is crafted not just for scent, but for energetic support.”

LaToya’s journey began during a personal healing process. While recovering from a work injury in 2021, candle making became both a creative outlet and a spiritual practice. As she deepened her connection to chakras, energy work, and intentional living, her candles evolved into tools for self-care, reflection, and reconnection.

Today, each product is infused with Reiki and chakra-focused intention, created to help people slow down, reset, and realign with themselves in a way that feels comforting, accessible, and deeply personal.

Her can’t-live-without favorite? The Sacral Chakra candle, scented with blood orange 🍊...a symbol of creativity, passion, and flow, and the heart of her creative process.

What we admire and find unique: LaToya weaves healing, intention, and accessibility into every product. Her Reiki-infused, chakra-focused creations go beyond fragrance...offering comfort, grounding, and emotional support. It’s wellness made personal, purposeful, and deeply human.

Meet Kristina Halweg (she/her), owner and maker behind Prairie Coast Candle Co. And congratulations on the grand opening of Prairie Coast Candle Bar + Apothecary Waterloo, Nebraska!

Prairie Coast is a small-batch, clean-burning candle and apothecary brand where everything is crafted with care, creativity, and a touch of everyday magic. Kristina hand-pours candles, wax melts, room sprays, signature perfumes, and hand soaps, and now welcomes her community into custom candle-pouring experiences at the NEW Candle Bar.

The name Prairie Coast reflects the two places that shaped her: the New Jersey coast where she grew up and the Nebraska prairies where she’s raising her family. Her fragrances blend salt air and open fields, old memories and new chapters, creating scents that feel familiar, warm, and grounding.

Kristina’s maker journey unfolded during a profound life shift. After leaving a 15-year military career following her son’s autism diagnosis, candle-making became a grounding ritual, and then a calling. At the heart of Prairie Coast is a deep commitment to supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Kristina is intentionally building a business that not only supports her family today, but one that can grow into a safe, inclusive, and meaningful workplace where her son, and others with IDD, can belong, contribute, and thrive. 

What we admire and find unique: Inclusive. Purpose-driven. Rooted in care. That’s Prairie Coast Candle Co. And we’re inspired by the way Kristina blends creativity, advocacy, and community into everything she creates.

Meet Leslie Gomez, the creative force behind ThatmakescentsCo in San Francisco, CA.

At ThatmakescentsCo, every fragrance begins with a memory, handcrafted to honor culture, storytelling, and the scents that shape who we are. Leslie creates candles, home fragrances, and body care inspired by her Mexican American heritage and real-life moments, turning nostalgia into sensory experiences meant to be felt, remembered, and shared.

From the purple sparkle of Fabuloso on Sunday cleaning days, to the warmth and togetherness of Día de los Muertos celebrations, Leslie transforms cultural memories into richly layered fragrances. Each product is handcrafted in small batches using clean, safe ingredients, and includes candles, reed diffusers, room & linen sprays, body oils, and perfumes…all designed with intention and storytelling at the heart.

“My creative style is vibrant, rooted in culture, and deeply personal.”

Her maker journey began from a need for safe products for sensitive skin, and quickly evolved into a powerful way to reconnect with her identity, community, and roots. What began in her bedroom has grown into a thriving business dedicated to honoring tradition and celebrating shared experiences through scent.

What we admire and find unique: Leslie’s work beautifully blends craft and culture, proving that fragrance can be a bridge to memory, belonging, and connection. Each collection captures real places, family traditions, and the heart of Latin American heritage, turning scent into storytelling.

Meet Joneisha Jones, the visionary maker behind Turquoise Serene Escapes in South Bend, IN.

At Turquoise Serene Escapes, every candle is a passport to peace and is handcrafted to bring the beach to you, no matter where you are. Using 100% coconut apricot wax, Joneisha creates clean-burning, eco-friendly, family- and pet-safe candles designed to transport you to your favorite sun-soaked escape.

“I’m the creator behind Turquoise Serene Escapes, a vacation-inspired candle company that brings the beach to you.”

From the tranquil calm of Beach Mornings, to the tropical sweetness of Island Getaway, to the refreshing lift of Mango Cucumber + Melon, each fragrance is a reminder: it’s never too late to find your calm, even on the busiest days.

Her maker journey began as a busy mom of three searching for a moment of peace. One night, she lit a candle, closed her eyes, and imagined the sound of waves and warm sand beneath her feet. And that moment changed everything.

“That small moment of calm sparked something in me.”

What started as personal self-care grew into a powerful mission to help others create their own mini escape at home. Today, Joneisha pours heart and intention into every candle, and her dream is to build a mobile candle bar where people can craft their own scents and carry serenity wherever they go.

What we admire and find unique: Joneisha has built a brand grounded in rest, renewal, and the transformative power of small moments. Her candles aren’t just products, they’re invitations to pause, breathe, and return to yourself, one serene escape at a time.

Meet Grace Anzano, the powerhouse creator behind Hoboken Candle in Hoboken, NJ.

Hoboken Candle is a bold, design-forward candle brand fueled by creativity, color, and five years of meticulous testing. A one-woman show (with the occasional helping hand), Grace has built a business that now retails in 24 Saks Off 5th stores nationwide, proving what’s possible when passion, craft, and persistence collide.

With a degree in Visual Communication Design, Grace pours her artistic eye into every detail… especially the labels, where the brand’s vibrant personality truly shines. These candles aren’t meant to blend in, they’re meant to stand out. Big, bold, colorful, and crafted with care, each one is designed to spark joy and elevate any space.

“Our candle formula is five years in the making, tried and evaluated over many years.”

Grace’s maker journey began over five years ago as a creative outlet. Something she returned to again and again through school and her professional career. In the last year, she took the leap from side-hustle to full-time entrepreneur, supported by a milestone retail opportunity with Saks Off 5th that turned a dream into reality.

What we admire and find unique: Grace has built a brand rooted in joy, accessibility, and fearless design. Her candles are crafted with eco-conscious ingredients, small-batch precision, and a commitment to making home fragrance fun, artistic, and high-quality for everyone.

Her entire fragrance line is exclusively powered by CandleScience fragrance oils, which she calls essential to her brand’s success: A partnership built on trust, reliability, and innovation throughout every step of entrepreneurship.

Meet Sabrina Blacker, the creative heart behind Golden Fox Apothecary in Indianapolis, IN.

At Golden Fox Apothecary, every scent is crafted to bring a touch of enchantment to your world. Sabrina carefully selects each fragrance note to create aromas that evoke memories, emotions, and a sense of wonder.

“Candles aren’t just decorative pieces, they’re vessels of warmth, ambiance, and storytelling.”

Her “scent library” extends beyond candles to include wax melts, incense, and room sprays, all designed to help you ignite moments of tranquility, reflection, and blissful escape from the ordinary.

Sabrina’s maker journey began in 2020, sparked by a CandleScience starter kit gifted by her wife. What began as a fun experiment quickly turned into something magical: a way to explore how scent can transport us through time and imagination.

“Our olfactory holds a power in bringing us back to a memory, or immersing us in a scene from a book.”

Inspired by nature, art, and fantasy worlds, Sabrina pours heart and story into every creation. Each fragrance feels like a page from a fairytale, crafted to nurture the inner child in all of us.

What we admire and find unique: Sabrina has built a brand that beautifully bridges fantasy and fragrance. Her use of Blending Elements to customize scents makes each creation one-of-a-kind, while her storytelling turns every candle into an emotional journey, proving that scent can be as imaginative as it is comforting.

Meet Lindsey Crosbie and Danielle Pryce—the powerhouse duo behind NovaWick & Co. in Potsdam, NY.

From a kitchen experiment in February 2024 to a full brick-and-mortar shop + global online sales in less than a year, Lindsey and Danielle have turned NovaWick & Co. into a rocket-fueled success story.

What started with a few scents in one jar size has grown into 50+ fragrance profiles and a product line spanning soy candles, wax melts, pillars, tapers, room sprays, goat's milk soaps, and air fresheners. Together, Lindsey and Danielle aren’t just making candles—they’re building a lifestyle brand at full speed.

And the heart behind their business name? Nova, Lindsey’s German Shepherd, whose spark inspired the brand identity. 

What we admire and find unique: Few brands scale this quickly and stay so customer-focused. Lindsey and Danielle turned a personal frustration with overpriced, underwhelming candles into a fast-growing business grounded in community, creativity, and hustle. NovaWick & Co. proves what’s possible when passion meets momentum.

Meet Kristin Hill, the founder of Floradee Candle Co — a clean, modern candle brand rooted in family, nature, and community, in Folsom, CA.

What began as a creative outlet during early motherhood has grown into something much deeper. When Kristin welcomed her first son, she wanted to stay home with him and stay connected to her creativity. That spark became Floradee — where every candle reflects her intentional approach to life and design.

“Floradee has given me the greatest gift — quality time with my son and something that’s completely my own,” Kristin shares. “It’s my way of staying grounded while building something beautiful for my family and community.”

From the year-round favorite Capri (Citrus Agave) to cozy seasonal scents like Siena (Autumn Ambrette) and Fraser Fir — each fragrance is inspired by memory and meaning. For Kristin, scent is storytelling: moments of Tahoe sunshine, warm Tuscan afternoons, and the joy of home. 

As Floradee grows, Kristin continues to pour candles that invite calm and connection — a reminder that beauty can grow right where you are.

What we admire and find unique: Floradee Candle Co. beautifully merges minimalism with meaning, proof that simplicity can still be soulful. Kristin’s dedication to clean ingredients, refined design, and emotional storytelling gives her candles a timeless quality that resonates deeply. She reminds us that making can be both art and anchor…  a way to stay connected to the people and places we love most. 

Meet Tiffany Griffin, the founder of Bright Black Candles, a Durham, NC-based scent studio redefining what fragrance can be. 

Bright Black isn’t just a candle brand. It’s a scented storytelling project — using fragrance as a powerful medium to share lived experiences, strengthen community, and celebrate Black brilliance.

“We believe in the sacred art of the creative process,” Tiffany shares. “Each scent we craft is a story, thoughtfully designed to connect, build, and expand how people experience identity through fragrance.”

Through custom scent activations that capture the spirit of cities, people, and movements, Bright Black transforms scent into narrative art. Their studio pushes boundaries in olfaction while centering cooperative economics and social impact — proof that fragrance can be both luxurious and deeply meaningful.

As a maker, scientist, and storyteller, Tiffany continues to inspire makers everywhere to pour with intention, honoring the stories that shape us all.

What we admire and find unique: Bright Black uses scent as a language, translating lived experience into art. Tiffany and her team are storytellers, educators, and innovators who infuse purpose into every detail, from fragrance formulation to social equity. Their work expands what it means to be a maker: not just to create beautiful things, but to illuminate stories that need to be felt.

Meet Kristen Powers (Executive Director) and Mona Evans (Community Advocacy Director) of Benevolence Farm in Graham, NC.

Founded by Tanya Jisa in North Carolina, Benevolence Farm cultivates leadership, sustainable livelihoods, and systemic change for women and gender-expansive people impacted by incarceration. What began as 11 acres and a single home has grown into a thriving social enterprise where residents grow herbs, craft natural body care, and hand-pour candles that symbolize resilience and renewal.

“Nature is the opposite of prison. Reentry should be more than survival—it should be about reclaiming autonomy, creativity, and connection to the land.

”Each resident arrives at stable housing, meaningful work, and a compassionate community ready to help them rebuild. From tending lavender and calendula in the fields to creating Healing Salve and Honeysuckle & Turmeric Soap in the workshop, every product is infused with care, purpose, and possibility.

Benevolence Farm’s choice to use CleanScents® from CandleScience reflects that same commitment—safe, transparent, and people-first. When you light a Benevolence Farm candle, you’re not just filling a room with fragrance, you’re fueling opportunity, dignity, and change.

What we admire and find unique: Benevolence Farm redefines what it means to be a maker. They’ve woven healing, justice, and craftsmanship into one model—proving that fragrance can do more than scent a space; it can change lives.

Meet Kristine Perry, the maker behind Wicks and Whiskers in Charlotte, NC.

At Wicks & Whiskers, guests blend their own signature scent from a “scent wall” of CandleScience fragrance oils, wick their jar, melt their wax, pour, and even design a label. The finishing touch? Naming their one-of-a-kind candle. And while your candle cools, you cuddle kittens. Lots of kittens. 

The idea sparked during the pandemic when Kristine made her very first candle (spoiler: it was a total flop). After a crash course in wax, wicks, and fragrance load, she thought: what if people could have all the fun of candle-making… without the science headaches? Add in her love of animal rescue, and Wicks & Whiskers was born.

Why people can’t get enough:

• A scent wall packed with CandleScience fragrances → unlimited blending possibilities
• Hundreds of custom candles created (and named!) by guests
• Rescue kittens who often leave with forever homes
• A space that’s equal parts cozy, creative, and completely irresistible

Kristine’s favorite? The moment when a guest lights up after smelling their blend. (Though her personal must-have is Mint Mojito.)

What we admire and find unique: Wicks & Whiskers proves that candles don’t just brighten rooms—they brighten lives. It’s the only place where you can leave with both a handmade candle and a brand-new best friend with whiskers. 

Meet Monique “Mo” Mackey, the maker behind Kindred Spirit Candle Company in Fayetteville + Durham, NC.

Mo’s life is a blend of Southern charm, family roots, and bold creativity. By day, she’s a mom, a barber, and a serial entrepreneur. By night, she’s whipping up candles and home fragrances with the same love and care she puts into a homemade recipe.

At Kindred Spirit, every product feels like comfort food for the soul. From candles and wax melts to linen sprays and the crowd-favorite Shhh Spray, Mo infuses her farmhouse style with cozy, gourmand-inspired blends that smell like they came straight out of grandma’s kitchen.

Her journey started in 2020, when a difficult season turned into a blessing in disguise. With her son by her side, late nights of YouTube tutorials turned into a healing ritual of pouring wax, blending fragrance, and creating something beautiful together. Through challenges—including the loss of her son’s father—Mo and her family built Kindred Spirit into a brand that celebrates resilience, love, and togetherness.

What makes Kindred Spirit extra sweet:

• Foodie fragrances crafted like family recipes—measured, blended, and perfected with love
• Three generations (Mo, her mom, and her son) building a business together
• Farmhouse coziness with a bold, soulful twist
• Scents that feel like butter, sugar, and a dash of Southern hospitality in every jar

Mo can’t live without CandleScience gourmand fragrance oils—blending them the way a chef layers flavors, pairing notes like a wine and cheese board until they’re mouthwateringly perfect.

What we admire and find unique: Mo doesn’t just pour candles—she plates up Southern comfort in wax form. Each jar is a recipe for warmth, resilience, and connection, served with the kind of love that makes everyone feel like family.

Meet Amber Williams, the maker behind ScentsXchange in Raleigh, NC.

Amber handcrafts luxurious, eco-conscious candles and melts that transform everyday spaces into rituals of self-care. From signature candles and seasonal drops to her interactive Scents & Sip events, Amber invites her community to slow down, savor, and connect through fragrance.

Her candle journey began as a way to find calm during a busy career in HR. What started as weekend experiments soon bloomed into ScentsXchange—a brand built on storytelling, sustainability, and joy-filled rituals.

Every scent is a story. From handwritten notes tucked into each order to interactive traditions like 12 Days of Scentmas and monthly Scent Boxes, Amber creates more than candles—she creates connection.

“I couldn’t do what I do without CandleScience’s supplies. Their jars, wicks, and lids are the foundation of every ScentsXchange candle. The quality and consistency give me confidence that every batch will burn beautifully and look as luxe as it smells.”

What we admire and find unique: Amber goes beyond fragrance—she creates connection. From handwritten notes to interactive traditions like 12 Days of Scentmas, she transforms candle-making into a shared ritual of joy, story, and self-care. That dedication to both product and people is why we’re proud to highlight her today.

Meet Michelle Fox, the maker behind The Untamed Daisy Soap Co. in Hickory, NC.

For Michelle, creating is more than a business—it’s pure joy. She fell in love with the freedom of blending colors, textures, and scents into products that are as functional as they are beautiful. 

“Creating is definitely my happy place,” she says, and her soaps, candles, and body care reflect that passion.

Inspiration comes straight from nature—sunsets, flowers, butterflies, oceans, and mountains. That endless beauty finds its way into seasonal collections her customers anticipate year after year, always eager for returning favorites and excited to discover new ones.

Her journey began 12 years ago while homeschooling and farming, when making her own soap and candles felt like the natural next step. From selling at festivals to parking her “soap mobile” at the top of the Sam’s parking lot, Michelle hustled her way into a storefront—signing her lease 7 years ago. Since then, The Untamed Daisy has become a true family business, with all four of her kids (and now her son’s fiancé!) working alongside her.

What we admire and find unique: Michelle’s brand embodies heart, heritage, and artistry. From her soap mobile days to a thriving storefront, she’s built a business rooted in family, fueled by creativity, and inspired by the natural world. The Untamed Daisy proves that cleaner, handcrafted products can be every bit as joyful, nostalgic, and beautiful as the moments that inspire them.

Meet Mykah & Taylor, the makers behind Hello October Candle Co. in Virginia Beach, VA.

What began as a way to bring the familiar scents of “home” into a new space has become a thriving small business dedicated to comfort, connection, and story-filled fragrance.

When a military move took them across the country, far from family, Mykah & Taylor started hand-pouring soy candles that captured the cozy memories of people and places they loved. The result? Hello October Candle Co.—a brand rooted in warmth, calm, and belonging.

Why “Hello October”? Both makers share October birthdays and a love for fall—the season’s slower pace, cozy evenings, and sense of comfort perfectly reflect their brand’s spirit.

Each candle is crafted with wood wicks for that soft, soothing crackle—like sitting beside a fire—and every scent is blended with intention to stir memory and emotion. Fan favorites like Evergreen and Apple have become signatures, beloved for their light, calming throw that keeps customers coming back season after season.

Maker’s obsessions:

• Golden Wax 464 Soy Wax – smooth, reliable, with excellent hot + cold throw
• Fragrance favorites: Apples & Maple Bourbon and Evergreen and Apple
• Seasonal creativity – their new fall blends + limited-edition Halloween candles and melts are already sparking joy

What we admire and find unique: Hello October isn’t just about fragrance—it’s about feeling. Mykah & Taylor turn candles into vessels of memory and belonging, making each one an experience of comfort you can return to again and again.

Meet Liz Frazier, the maker behind Witch City Wicks in Salem, Massachusetts.

Liz creates hand-poured soy candles that embody a moody, elegant aesthetic—candles that feel just as at home in a dramatic, maximalist space as they do in a cozy modern living room. Each fragrance, vessel, and label is layered with story, place, and atmosphere.

Her journey started in 2010 with a simple CandleScience kit in her kitchen. By 2011, Witch City Wicks was born—and in 2017, Liz opened her brick-and-mortar shop in the heart of Salem, MA. 

Liz’ favorite? She swears by CandleScience’s true-to-life fragrance oils. The richness and strength of these scents give her collections their signature depth and transportive quality—turning every candle into an immersive experience that customers return to again and again.

What we admire and find unique: Liz doesn’t just pour candles; she crafts atmosphere and memory. With her graphic design background and her Salem roots, every detail feels intentional—elevating candles from home goods into works of art that tell a story.

Meet Jojo Guzman, the maker behind 7th Inning Candles® in Anaheim, California.

October means baseball postseason is in full swing—and what better time to spotlight a maker who’s bringing the ballpark home year-round? Meet Jojo Guzman, the creative behind 7th Inning Candles®, a baseball-inspired home fragrance brand designed to capture the spirit of the game—from the first pitch to the final out. With crackling wooden wicks, nostalgic scents, and hand-poured quality, Jojo’s candles make every day feel like game day.

Jojo’s maker journey started on a hike back in 2021 with a spontaneous idea: “What if I could combine my love for baseball with candle making?” That spark has since evolved into a trademarked brand that’s hitting home runs across candles, room sprays, wax melts, and more.

Some CandleScience favorites fueling the lineup? Watermelon, Honeydew + Oakmoss Amber—so loved that Jojo orders them by the jug. And while the secret formula behind the signature Home Run® candle stays under wraps, one thing’s for sure: Jojo’s passion for the craft burns as bright as a stadium under the lights.

Meet Hannah, the maker behind Sierra Soapbox Candle Co. in South Lake Tahoe, California.

Rooted in South Lake Tahoe, this small-batch artisan candle brand is as much about attitude as it is about ambiance. Hannah captures the quirks of mountain living—from après-ski coziness to highway closures and shovel marathons—then bottles them with wit and fragrance.

“Our scents reflect the local hangouts, secret spots, and even the frustrations that come with needing to shovel your way out.”
Born out of cabin fever during a brutal winter, Sierra Soapbox started as a way to light the dark—literally. Today, it’s a year-round business with candles that double as an insider’s guide to Tahoe life.

The standout? Locals Only: smells like you can’t park there.
Powered by Golden Santal—smooth, woody, and effortlessly cool—it’s the scent that feels like Tahoe itself: grounded, chic, and a little irreverent.

“Candle-making started as a practical way to have emergency lighting, but has since turned into a small business.”

What we admire and find unique: Hannah doesn’t just make candles—she turns mountain culture into fragrance storytelling. While romanticizing the outdoors is cool, she leans into the real-life grit, humor, and character of Tahoe, creating scents that are as relatable as they are refined.

Meet Kerry, the maker behind Couture Home & Body in Liberty Hill, TX.

What started as a creative escape in a Los Angeles kitchen has grown into a luxury fragrance brand rooted in storytelling, clean craftsmanship, and small-batch artistry.

From soy candles and fine fragrance to body care and room sprays, each piece is crafted with premium ingredients, eco-friendly packaging, and a deep love for the chemistry of scent.

“I’m not just pouring candles, I’m crafting mood.”

“If it doesn’t throw, it doesn’t go.”

Every blend is hand-built—lavender and cedarwood anchoring bright florals or creamy woods, layered and refined until the fragrance feels both intentional and unforgettable.

What we admire and find unique: This brand lives at the intersection of art and science. Every scent is a story, but it’s also meticulously tested, balanced, and perfected. It’s rare to find a maker who pairs luxury aesthetics with such a disciplined, chemistry-driven approach

Meet Jenni Zielke the maker behind Illuminate Space in North Aurora, IL.

What started in 2016 with a Christmas vignette has grown into a full-fledged candle brand and experience business—complete with a warehouse in Geneva, IL and Tilly, a vintage camper turned mobile candle bar.

From soy candles and room sprays to eco-friendly cleaners and whimsical “Mood Boxes,” Illuminate Space is all about creating products and experiences that are environmentally conscious.

“My goal is to help people feel grounded, comforted, and cared for.”

“At the heart of my work is Tilly…where people can pour their own candles at events, markets, and private parties.”

The vibe? Warm, inviting, and a little bit magical—string lights, plants, and candles everywhere. Illuminate Space isn’t just about selling candles, it’s about connection: pour parties, seasonal launches, custom blends, and community collabs.

• Big milestones: Launching Tilly in 2024
• Expanding to wholesale + artisan spaces across the U.S.
• Opening a candle warehouse in 2025 to host year-round events

“Clean Scents™ from CandleScience are the backbone of everything I create. My customers trust me because I trust CandleScience.”

What we admire and find unique: Illuminate Space doesn’t just sell candles—it creates experiences. By transforming fragrance into a shared ritual (through Tilly, pour parties, and mood-inspired collections), Jenni has built a brand that’s as much about connection as it is about scent.

Meet Alecia, the maker behind Black Lavender Co. in Clarksville, IN.

She handcrafts clean-burning soy candles, wax melts, room & linen sprays, and foaming hand soaps—all toxin-free, phthalate-free, and designed to fill your space without overpowering it.

“Every product is designed to feel like a mood in a jar (or bottle!).”

Alecia’s inspiration comes from her roots—gardening and baking with her grandmother—and today she channels that same warmth and creativity into blending cozy, elevated scents. From warm bakery aromas to earthy blends and fresh florals, each fragrance tells a story.

“What started as a personal project quickly became a passion for blending fragrances and crafting products that bring warmth and atmosphere without toxins.”

Known for sleek packaging, thoughtful curation, and incredible fragrance throw, Alecia pours and mixes everything herself in small batches with care.

And just in time for the season shift…on August 21st, she dropped her Fall Discovery Box—six mini candles in her custom autumn blends, the perfect way to try them all!

“At its heart, my brand is about helping people create small, sweet moments in their everyday life.”

What we admire and find unique: Alecia has mastered the balance of luxury and comfort—pairing sleek, modern packaging with fragrances that feel deeply personal and nostalgic. It’s rare to find a maker who can deliver both high-end style and “warmth in a jar,” and that’s exactly what makes Black Lavender Co. stand out.

Meet Nay, the maker behind E & N Soaps in Fairlawn, VA.

What started as a first date activity with her husband has blossomed into E & N Soaps, a thriving business known for soap stacks, bright colors (without dyes!), and viral creations like the fan-favorite Pink Dragonfruit.

“Good quality products can still be colorful.”
“I aim to give back more to the community than I take.”

Nay launched her storefront in September 2024—becoming the only black owned brick-and-mortar soap shop in the area. From Facebook sellouts to nationwide recognition, her soaps prove that passion, creativity, and skin-loving ingredients never go out of style. 

With chronic asthma shaping her journey, Nay is committed to crafting bath + body products that are vibrant, safe, and inclusive.

“As my products have gone viral, I’ve taken on a creator and influencer role. I take pride in my social media being a safe space for all.”

Bright colors. Skin-loving formulas. A heart for community. That’s E & N Soaps.

What we admire and find unique: Nay has transformed a personal challenge into a creative advantage—proving that fragrance and color can be both bold and gentle. Her ability to deliver eye-catching, viral-worthy soaps without dyes or irritants makes E & N Soaps stand out as a brand that’s just as fun as it is thoughtful.