Innovation

Calm and Scents Candle Co. was created out of love for candles by Layla Renner in December 2019 in a 100 square foot dorm room. All the candles are made from non-toxic soy wax and ingredients are sourced from the highest quality of vendors. Each candle is sophisticatedly designed and carefully poured by Renner in her studio located in Athens, Ohio. Calm and Scents Candle Co also offers wax melts, room sprays, and car fresheners in 20 different summer scents. The company has plans to expand the product lines to lotions and scrubs. Currently, the products can be purchased online, but the company has plans to open a storefront soon in Salem, Massachusetts.

What started out as just a love for candles and an aspiration of creating tangible pieces of peace and sharing that happiness with people around the world turns into a reality today. Renner’s dream came true through hard work and dedication. She is a role model that gives others inspiration and is a symbol that dreams can become a reality.

Inspiration

Layla’s entrepreneurial mindset and motivation to do good in this world prompted her to come up with her scented candle company. To ease living costs during her collegiate years, Layla wanted to grow a company that she could be proud of. Her big idea was to create soy wax candles. This idea came about due to her affinity towards candles, as well as her knowledge of the industry. Layla knew many candle brands used harmful materials to the environment and the human body. She desired to build a brand that proudly used eco-friendly materials, especially ones that were not carcinogenic. With the aim to not cut corners on cost, Layla built a company that served amazing candles using non-toxic fragrance oils. As her practice and brand grew, Layla also desired to help give back to her community.

Overall impact

Layla’s new company, Calm and Scents Candle Co, has hit the ground running and sold over 30,000 candles. Her aromatic, eco-friendly candles have made a tremendous impact on her business growth. With the success of her business, Layla decided that she wanted her company to give back to the community and benefit society. Aligning her own goals with that of the UN global goals for sustainable development, Layla’s new company has helped both the community and the environment. Calm and Scents Candle Co has donated over $8,000 of their proceeds to those in need in Layla’s community. Donations have gone towards tangible supplies for low income homes, homeless outreach programs, and children’s homes. Layla has used her company as an advocate to help those that are less fortunate and her impact on the community has been profound.

Along with doing good for the community, Calm and Scents Candle Co has also aimed at helping the environment. The company’s supply is geared around being environmentally friendly. Focal points of production are the use of eco-friendly soy wax and non-toxic fragrance oils. In regards to shipment, packaging and shipping materials are 100% recyclable. Layla has aspirations in growing her business and environmental impact as well in the near future/long term. Her long term goals consist of opening a brick and mortar store in which she will institute a jar recycling program. In this process, candles will be refilled using recycled jars to avoid unnecessary waste.

Business benefit

Calm and Scents’ business model is that of a forward thinking company. Everyday consumers are becoming more and more aware of what is in the many products they buy such as food, cleaning and hygiene. Scented candles are quickly joining that list as people become aware that many of the things that go into the candles they buy can be toxic and very hazardous to someone’s health. CEO, Layla Renner, identified this early on in her candle making company's journey and it helped to inspire that all of her products are made with eco friendly, sustainable materials. Currently the company is 100% on-line and it has allowed for quick growth and shipment of candles to all 50 states and their first store is set to open soon in Salem, Massachusetts. With her sustainable focus and community minded giveback her company stands to experience great success as consumers continue a shift to products that are not loaded with chemical ingredients and fragrances.

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Social and environmental benefit

Calm and Scents’ business model has a positive benefit on both social and environmental fronts. The company has allocated a portion of sales to other local organizations within their town. In 2021 they were able to raise over $8,000 for several organizations within their community. The money raised assisted with the purchase of tangible items such as groceries, clothing, toiletries and other essential items requested. From an Environmental standpoint the company only uses soy wax in their candles which has been shown to be a more eco-friendly ingredient in candles compared to things like paraffin. Calm and Scents also makes its candles with fragrance oils that are non-toxic. The CEO has gone on record stating that she will not cut corners to generate profits at the risk of jeopardizing people’s health. In addition to the eco-friendly candle design, products are all made in environmentally friendly packaging that can be recycled. Once their physical store is open for business, Calm and Scents will also begin offering the option for customers to come in and refill their existing candle container instead of buying a brand new one. This will have a positive impact on raw material usage, help continue the company's mission of offering sustainable candles and also help the consumer save money as this option would come at a discount in price.

Interview

Layla Renner, Founder

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