The Story Behind SRPH: From a $40 Candle Kit to a Luxury Home Fragrance Brand

At 17, my journey in the world of luxury retail began when I got hired at a high-end designer boutique. Among the many beautiful items we offered, luxury fragrances were a staple. Ironically, the owner was allergic to most fragrances, so I naturally took on the role of managing this area. I became our boutique’s go-to fragrance expert, building relationships with clients who trusted my recommendations and developing a love for the power of scent.

By 2019, I decided to open my own boutique, which brought together my passion for fashion and my dream of building something uniquely mine. However, when the pandemic hit, retail landscapes changed drastically. I made the difficult decision not to renew my lease and closed my store in 2022. During those challenging times, I discovered something surprising: while every category of product saw a sharp drop in sales, the demand for candles remained strong.

Even after I closed my boutique, clients continued to reach out to buy candles. Curious and eager to create something of my own, I invested in a $40 candle-making kit online and began experimenting. With that kit, I made just eight candles and sold them, reinvesting my earnings each time. What began as a hobby quickly turned into a business opportunity, and I found myself creating unique scent combinations and using beautiful containers that added to the allure of my creations.

Around this time, I accepted a position with Maison Francis Kurkdjian. It was a dream come true to work with an industry leader and gain a firsthand perspective on the world of fine fragrance. During my time there, I continued making candles, refining my blends, and experimenting with higher-quality materials. I began to realize something: the fragrance industry was heavily focused on personal scents, with very little attention given to home fragrances. There was a void for everyday, high-quality home fragrance products.

As I shared my products with colleagues, their responses were beyond encouraging. Many asked me why I wasn’t focusing on my own brand full-time, and some even became loyal customers. It was then that I decided to take the leap from hobbyist to full-time business owner. The support and positive feedback from industry professionals showed me that there was potential for something truly special.

With a new sense of direction, I decided it was time to bring my vision of luxury home fragrance to a broader audience. I invested tens of thousands of dollars to create custom containers, premium packaging, and expand my product line. I launched wholesale offerings and set up an online store, ready to introduce my take on home fragrance to the world.

From the beginning, my goal has been to redefine home scenting by looking beyond individual products and instead focusing on “whole-home scenting.” Our product lineup includes candles, diffusers, and room sprays that work together seamlessly, creating an immersive scent experience that transforms a home into a sanctuary of luxurious fragrance.

Starting with only $40 and a passion for fragrance, I've grown this brand into a dedication to quality and innovation. Every scent, every container, and every detail is crafted to elevate the everyday. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and I can’t wait to share what’s next in the evolution of SRPH.