Today we’d like to introduce you to Christie Wells.
Hi Christie, We are so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
During the quarantine of 2020, I found solace and an unexpected passion for the art of candle making. It began as a simple diversion to ease the tension of those long days at home but quickly became much more consuming. With a career spanning over two decades in product development, I’ve always appreciated the craftsmanship of building a brand from the ground up. I had aspired to apply this knowledge and create a brand. I am drawn to scents inspired by nature, and the more complex and layered, the better. I don’t care for fragrances that smell synthetic, fake, or plastic-like. I wanted to offer candles created from the finest high-quality and clean burning materials with elevated scents, all at an approachable price point. After several months of experimenting with various fragrance blends, waxes, and containers, I was proud to launch my first line of candles in May 2021. Today, I’m thrilled to offer a carefully curated and even more refined collection of about 13 signature scents available year-round, complemented by limited-time seasonal fragrances. This journey from a casual hobby to a heartfelt enterprise has been incredibly fulfilling. I am so grateful for the people I have met through this journey and the experience and knowledge I have gained from starting my own business.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Running a business and parenting can be challenging, especially when you’re passionate about promoting your brand. I’ve learned the hard way that managing time and energy is crucial. Events such as art and craft shows or market experiences can help increase brand awareness and connect with customers, but not all events are worth the effort. I’ve become more discerning and balanced in my commitments, prioritizing family time and self-care.
Thanks for sharing that. Please tell us more about your work.
I understand that the candle market is quite crowded, with many great companies out there, and it can be challenging to stand out. However, I am most satisfied interacting with customers personally and hearing them say, “I’ve never smelled a scent like this before, and I love it.” It is also gratifying to watch customers struggle to choose between the many options that they love. This inspired me to offer bundle deals! Being known for amazing scents is one of our goals, but delivering on that while providing fragrances without phthalates or toxins and recyclable packaging is also key to our brand. My main goal for Scent & Psyche is to create a positive mental association with scents and provide joy and satisfaction to my customers through a beautiful fragrance and a satisfied burning experience. However, the journey and customer service are also crucial to me. Many loyal customers swear by my candles, from the beautiful scent and quality burn to the special treatment they receive throughout the process.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Observe what customers respond to, and pay attention to what I love. And if I have a great and unique quality product, everything else is easy.
Pricing:
- 4oz candles are 3 for $30 or $12.00 each
- 7oz candles are 2 for $40 or $24.00 each
- 12oz candles are 2 for $58 or $32.00 each
- 15oz candles are $44
Contact Info:
- Website: scentandpsyche.com
- Instagram: @scentandpsyche
- Facebook: @scentandpsyche
- Twitter: @scentandpsyche
- Other: pinterest — @scentandpsyche
