Bryttanny, Founder of Scentelligence Candle, From Kitchen Counter to Candle Brand

1. To begin, please tell us a few words about yourself and your business in your own words.

My name is Bryttanny, and I’m the owner of Scentelligence Candle in Harford County, MD. I’ve always believed scent has a quiet power. It can shift a mood, bring comfort, or spark a memory you didn’t even realize you missed. What started as a small creative outlet has grown into a full home-fragrance brand offering luxury candles, room sprays, wax melts, and curated gift boxes.

Every product is hand-poured in small batches with care and intention. I focus on quality, the feeling behind each fragrance, and creating pieces that make a space feel calm and personal. Building this business has become one of the most meaningful parts of my life, and I’m genuinely proud of how far it’s come.

2. How did the idea for Scentelligence Candle first come to you at your kitchen counter?

It began as pure curiosity. One day I ordered a few supplies, spread everything out on my kitchen counter, and decided to try making a candle. The process quickly became therapeutic — a moment for me to unplug, clear my mind, and create something with my own hands. What started as a small escape ended up becoming the beginning of Scentelligence Candle.

3. What inspired you to turn this small creative outlet into a full business?

As I kept making candles, people started asking for them. I made a batch as party favors, and friends and family loved them. Their excitement showed me that this little hobby had real potential. That support motivated me to take things seriously and turn it into my own candle company.

4. In the early days of learning everything yourself, what was the first big challenge you faced?

The learning curve was steep. I spent countless hours figuring out formulas, temperatures, and which wicks worked best — and there were so many options. Testing each candle, checking how it burned, and learning all the technical terms was overwhelming at first. Even with all of that, quitting never crossed my mind. I just didn’t want to fail. I wanted people to see that I could build something meaningful, even though running a business was completely new to me. Every challenge played a part in shaping the brand into what it is today.

5. Can you share a small win from those beginning stages that made you feel, “Yes, I can really do this”?

One of my first big wins happened at my very first pop-up event in the spring. Back then I only had 12-ounce candles and wax melts. I remember people smelling the fragrances, picking up the jars, and getting excited about the packaging. The wax melts almost sold out that day. Seeing that reaction made everything click. It showed me people genuinely connected with what I created, and that moment told me I was on the right path.

6. What was the process like when you created your very first scent?

Creating my first scent was a mix of excitement and trial and error. I didn’t have a studio — just my kitchen counter, a notebook, and a few fragrance oils to experiment with. I blended based on how each note made me feel and kept adjusting until something finally worked.

I’ll never forget the moment one blend smelled right. It felt like the pieces finally came together. I wrote everything down in my notebook — which ended up becoming the start of my whole process — and for something so new, it felt surprisingly natural, almost like I was stepping into something meant for me.

7. How did you improve your candles over time through trial and error?

Improvement came from patience and paying attention. I always used the same high-performing wax, but figuring out the right fragrance load and the proper wick took time. I would light each test candle, watch how it burned, take notes, and make small adjustments. Some days it felt like starting over, but each tweak brought me closer to the consistency and quality I wanted.

8. When did you realize your candles were connecting emotionally with customers?

I noticed it when customers started sharing the memories certain scents brought up for them. Some said a fragrance reminded them of home or a moment from their childhood. One person even told me she lit one of my candles every night during a stressful period because it made her space feel calmer. I didn’t expect people to open up like that, and it really touched me. It made me more intentional with how I build each fragrance, knowing it can truly make a difference in someone’s day.

9. Was there a memorable message or experience from a customer that encouraged you to keep going?

Yes. A customer once shared that one of my candles became part of her routine during a difficult time. She said lighting it helped her unwind and brought a sense of peace to her evenings. Hearing that reminded me that what I’m making isn’t just a product — it’s something that can bring comfort to someone’s life. That kind of feedback keeps me moving forward.

10. How did joining local markets and pop-ups help your brand grow and build strong relationships?

Markets and pop-ups helped my brand grow more than I expected. They gave people a chance to smell the fragrances, feel the packaging, and see the quality up close. I was able to watch their reactions, answer questions, and learn which scents resonated most.

People often complimented my booth setup. I heard all the time that it looked lux, and many loved the black-and-gold packaging. That meant a lot to me and boosted my confidence in how I presented my brand.

These events also opened doors. Several wholesale conversations began simply because someone saw my booth. Beyond visibility, markets gave me a sense of community — something that made a big difference in my growth.

11. What was the feeling when your candles were placed in local boutiques and spa spaces for the first time?

It was an incredible moment — one of those experiences where everything pauses. Seeing my candles displayed alongside established brands felt surreal. It was the first time I saw my branding in a professional retail setting, and it made everything feel real.

It was emotional too, because it showed me how far the business had come. It was a goal that once felt distant, and suddenly it was happening. My family was excited for me, which made the moment even sweeter. It also encouraged me to keep growing and working toward more placements.

12. Since you hand-pour every candle, what personal touch do you try to put into each one?

Hand-pouring each candle allows me to be intentional with every step. I pay attention to the temperature, the fragrance balance, the wick placement, and the final finish. I want each candle to look clean, polished, and gift-ready.

But the bigger personal touch is the care behind it. When I’m pouring, I think about the person who will eventually light that candle — maybe after a long day, maybe during a peaceful moment. I want the candle to meet them exactly where they are. Every batch carries my time, focus, and a genuine sense of care.

13. For someone discovering your brand for the first time, which scent would you say best represents Scentelligence Candle?

Orange Moon captures my brand the best. It’s my number one seller and one of my custom blends. I created it because I wanted something warm and comforting that didn’t smell like anything else on the market.

Customers always tell me it’s the scent that stops them in their tracks. A lot of people don’t expect to love it as much as they do, but once they smell it, they’re hooked. It’s bright, smooth, and inviting — the kind of fragrance that fills a room in the best way.

Orange Moon reflects everything I want my brand to be: thoughtful, balanced, and emotionally resonant.

14. How do you choose and design scents that feel calming, intentional, and personal?

I usually start with a feeling or a moment I want to capture — the comfort of a quiet night, the calm of a fresh morning, or even a memory that still makes me smile. From there, I begin blending notes that match that mood.

Most of my fragrances are custom blends, so I take my time layering each note until it feels just right. I pay attention to how the scent hits you at first and how it evolves as it burns. My goal is always the same: for the fragrance to feel personal, grounding, and made with true intention.

15. What important lesson have you learned from showing up consistently, even on imperfect days?

I’ve learned that consistency will take you further than waiting for the perfect moment. Some days everything flows easily; other days I’m tired or stretched thin. Even so, showing up — even if it’s only for one task — still moves me forward.

Those not-so-perfect days taught me patience and helped me trust myself more. Every label I applied, every batch I poured, every event I prepared for added up. Staying consistent reminded me why I started and helped me grow both as a business owner and as a person learning through the journey.

16. For someone ready to bring your candles into their home, which product or scent would you recommend they start with, and why?

I always suggest starting with one of my 12-ounce candles. They’re long lasting, hand-poured with care, and really show what my brand is about.

If someone isn’t sure where to start, Orange Moon is my go-to recommendation. It’s warm, comforting, and one of those scents people instantly fall in love with.

Apples and Maple Bourbon is another great choice. It’s rich, cozy, and perfect for anyone who loves deeper, sweeter fragrances. Both scents make a home feel inviting from the moment you walk in.

17. Where can customers find and shop your candles?

Customers can shop my full collection directly on my website, www.scentelligencecandle.com, where every fragrance is available and new launches show up first and follow Scentelligence_candle on Instagram and Facebook. I also have my candles placed in a local spa, and I’m growing my wholesale presence thoughtfully. Partnering with boutiques that feel like a natural fit for the brand is important to me, so expansion is intentional.

A lot of people discover my brand at local markets and events, which I love. My final event of the season is on December thirteenth in Bel Air, Maryland, and after that I’ll be preparing for spring pop-ups. The support at these events has been incredible. It has played a huge part in my growth. I always share dates on social media so customers know where I’ll be next.

18. Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of Scentelligence Candle?

Looking ahead, I want Scentelligence Candle to continue growing while staying rooted in the intention it started with. I’m excited to expand into more boutiques, spas, and curated retail spaces that match the brand’s aesthetic. I also look forward to creating new custom blends and seasonal collections that bring something fresh to my customers.

Long term, I see Scentelligence Candle becoming a full lifestyle brand — something people reach for when they want their home to feel peaceful, cozy, and beautifully scented. I’d love to introduce the brand beyond Maryland and connect with new communities.

I also dream of having a dedicated studio space where I can pour, package, create, and even host scent experiences. Eventually, I’d love to bring on a small team to help carry the vision further. Collaborating with other makers or offering limited-edition collections is another goal I’m excited about.

Above all, I want to keep creating fragrances that touch people the moment they smell them. That has always been the heart of Scentelligence Candle, and it’s the foundation for everything I hope to build in the future.

thanks for reading ☺️