Sentrell Marsh’s idea to start Sensual Candle Co. was born one night when she was in the middle of her 10 p.m. Do Not Disturb ritual. Marsh puts her phone away and tries not to scroll on IG, runs a bath, lights a candle, and turns on a playlist. The Sensual Candle Co. founder knows the importance of incorporating the best details into her self-care routine. She says that to be sensual is to be “in touch with your surroundings. To be present. To be alive.” Set the mood for your next night with yourself with this luxury candle that’ll fill your space with nothing but magical aromas.
When and why did you start your company?
“I started my company in 2019. I was diagnosed with a hormonal disorder in 2015 while in grad school. The hormonal disorder makes you more prone to depression and anxiety. I had a breaking point while working on my thesis and decided I needed to take better care of myself. I began with a simple bath ritual to help myself unwind and practice mindfulness. The ritual was simple: run a bath, turn on a soothing playlist, and light a candle. During this routine, I fell in love with candles’ soft glow, dancing flames, and ability to bring you present and put you in a meditative state for relaxation. This ritual also shed light on the importance of connecting back to self and how our senses can aid us in this connection.”
What has your career path been like?
“After graduating undergrad, I began my career in PR/marketing working with an NBA player’s business management team and then as a marketing coordinator for a direct-to-consumer jewelry brand. After a few years of working in PR/marketing, I decided to go back to school to pursue interior design. I actually began developing Sensual Candle Co. while I was working on my thesis, but I stopped to focus on finding a job after graduation. I began my interior design career working in hospitality design and eventually became a high-end residential designer for a local interior design studio. While working full-time, I knew I needed to get back to developing Sensual Candle Co. Eventually, I did. It took almost two years, but here I am!”
What’s the core mission of your brand?
“To promote self-love, peace of mind, and sensuality. We are committed to providing quality products to women seeking tools to aid them in slowing down and connecting back to themselves.”
What’s your most popular item that you sell and why?
“Shai is our most popular scent. I think the notes are familiar but their combination is so unexpected. Shai is the perfect balance of masculine and feminine notes. It has relaxing scents like lavender and jasmine that make it the perfect candle to unwind with at the end of the day. We are obsessed, and so is our sensual community.“
What has surprised you the most since starting your company?
“The amount of positive feedback we’ve received and growth we’ve experienced over the past year. We had no idea how people would respond to our brand. I mostly only had feedback from my family and friends. In the beginning, it was really a lot of me believing in myself, the product, and the brand’s mission. When I began to hear feedback and get reactions from our community, I was honestly overwhelmed with the support and love.”
What’s a lesson you’ve learned as a founder?
“Rest is just as important as the work. I learned very quickly to not get so caught up in the work that I forget to take care of myself. Now I try to prioritize myself and my mental health and get plenty of sleep.”
What can we expect in the future for Sensual Candle Co.?
“Expansion. We want to continue to build our wholesale arm as well as our private-label division while also introducing new products that our community has been asking for and that align with our mission.”
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