Scent & Fire Candle Company is a Black owned candle business that makes products for those who enjoy using aroma-driven mood enhancers to beautify their environment.
We caught up with founder, Monisha Edwards to find out what she did to increase her sales in a time when many businesses are struggling.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shoppeblack.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Monisha_ScentAndFire2-e1587599894407-1024x1001.jpg?resize=1020%2C997&ssl=1)
What inspired you to start your business?
I started Scent & Fire Candle company because I have suffered from anxiety, stress, and depression for many years.
I started looking into holistic ways to alleviate stress and anxiety and stumbled upon aromatherapy. From there, I started getting into candle making. I created three signature scents for myself and being a brand strategist, I decided to design a mockup of my labels and posted them on Facebook.
Everyone wanted to buy my candles, so I set aside some time over a weekend and designed a website, ordered supplies to make more candles, come up with the name Scent & Fire, and registered the business.
I decided to use my candle company as a platform to educate about mental health, wellness, and the importance of practicing self-care.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shoppeblack.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/ShelterChillDisplay-e1587601627481-1024x599.png?resize=1020%2C597&ssl=1)
What were your initial thoughts when you learned about the Coronavirus outbreak?
When I initially heard about the Coronavirus outbreak, I thought that it would be another Ebola or Swine Flu phase. I felt bad for the people who were contracting it and becoming ill, but I had no idea that it was what it is now.
Once I started hearing about the seriousness of the virus, I started taking extra precautions in my daily routines and started going out less often. When we were all encouraged to stay home, I basically self-quarantined even though I wasn’t sick. I have chronic asthma, so I definitely couldn’t afford to get sick.
![](https://i0.wp.com/shoppeblack.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/LivingroomFlexDisplay-e1587601804408-1024x612.png?resize=1020%2C610&ssl=1)
How has it affected your business?
The Coronavirus crisis affected my business tremendously. Sales from my online store decreased and by the time March came around, I had no income lined up, so I had to figure out how to make money to help me pay bills.
![Black Owned Candle Business](https://i0.wp.com/shoppeblack.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5831.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&ssl=1)
What new strategies have you implemented or do you plan to implement in your business?
My sales increased after I created a Quarantine based theme and playlists that came with the candles. The names are Socially Distant, Shelter & Chill, Living Room Flex, and Therapy In Place.
People thought that the names were really creative, and they also liked the fact that you could scan a QR code on the box that the candles come in, light the candle, and vibe out to some good music to create an experience right at home.
Once I did this, my story was picked up by the news, and sales increased even more due to people loving my story about how I basically “turned lemons into lemonade” during this tough time where many small businesses are struggling to keep doors open. I definitely made a great pivot with my candle brand, and I feel like things will do even better in the coming months.
I also plan to do more marketing via social media. I feel its essential because even after the Shelter-In-Place mandate is lifted, many people will still be cautious of going out in public or be in big crowds, and they will still be online more often than not.
![Black Owned Candle Business](https://i0.wp.com/shoppeblack.us/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/IMG_5879.jpg?resize=720%2C960&ssl=1)
If you had one ask of your community right now, what would it be?
If I would ask that my community pray for and support all small businesses right now, especially black-owned businesses and establishments. We need you the most.
Share a post, buy a gift card, or patron a black-owned establishment as often as you can. Times like these are difficult and we are in dire need of support from our very own community.
–Tony O. Lawson