from hobby to hustle: danielle of retreat aroma
Born from resilience and rooted in self-love, Retreat Aroma is a testament to the power of transformation. Amidst the challenges of chronic illness and the demands of a full-time job, Danielle, founder of Retreat Aroma, discovered solace in candle-making—a creative outlet that blossomed into a purpose-driven brand. Today, Retreat Aroma offers more than just hand-poured candles and wax melts; it provides an invitation to pause, breathe, and embrace moments of calm. Each product is crafted with intention, turning everyday rituals into luxurious self-care experiences.
“Success, for me, is helping others create moments of calm and clarity.”
Ready to be inspired by her journey from personal healing to empowering others?
from healing to handmade
"My journey started in a really organic and personal way. I was gifted a candle-making kit by my husband, and what began as a creative outlet quickly became something deeper for me, a form of healing and calm, especially while living with sickle cell anemia. Making candles brought me a sense of peace I hadn’t experienced in a long time.
From there, I began exploring clean ingredients and sustainable practices, which led me to launch Retreat Aroma, a brand focused on non-toxic, hand-poured candles, wax melts, and room sprays designed to help people unwind in luxury. I’ve since grown from making products in my kitchen to building a full sensory experience, including a signature Wax Melt Bar for markets and private events. It’s been a journey fueled by purpose, resilience, and a lot of learning, and I’m proud of where it’s going."
a purpose bigger than the pour
"The moment I saw how people connected with the products the feeling, the experience I knew this was bigger than me. What started as self-care evolved into a purpose: helping others create moments of calm and clarity in their daily lives. That response lit the fire. I wanted to create something beautiful, clean, and grounding. That’s how Retreat Aroma turned from a hobby into a growing, intentional business."
fragrance with feeling
"I create hand-poured wax melts, candles, and non-toxic room sprays using coconut soy wax, clean fragrance oils, and natural botanicals. Each scent is inspired by the kind of energy I want to invite into a space - calm, clarity, warmth, or restoration. What makes Retreat Aroma special is the intention behind every product. It’s not just about fragrance it’s about how it makes you feel.Our brand is rooted in slow living, clean design, and comfort. I want every product to feel like an invitation to pause and breathe."
the melt bar everyone’s melting over
"Our best-selling experience is hands-down the Signature Wax Melt Bar. It’s an interactive scent bar where customers can build their own box of wax melts by mixing and matching their favorite scents. Whether we’re at a market, pop-up, or private event, it’s always a hit. People love the personalized aspect it’s fun, sensory, and feels like a mini self-care ritual. It turns shopping into an experience, which aligns perfectly with our mission of Unwind in Luxury."
strength, setbacks & staying the course
"I’m proud of staying true to the brand’s purpose even while juggling a full-time job and health challenges. Seeing customers connect with the products—whether it’s someone lighting a candle after a long day or building their own scent box at the Melt Bar that’s the real reward. As for lessons, there have definitely been bumps: packaging delays, vendor issues, and learning how to pace myself. I’ve learned that growth takes time and intention. Every misstep taught me something that made the brand stronger."
creativity before sunrise, passion after hours
"I run Retreat Aroma while working full-time, so most of my maker time happens early mornings, late evenings, or weekends. My days vary—some are spent pouring wax and packing orders, others are focused on content creation or prepping for events. Despite the chaos, Retreat Aroma is my grounding space. It’s where I pour my creativity, focus on wellness, and stay connected to what brings me joy."
backed by a community who gets it
"Makesy has been amazing throughout my journey. I truly appreciate how connected and responsive their team is—any time I had a question or an issue with a product or delivery, they were quick to resolve it with care and professionalism. What’s made the biggest impact, though, is the quality and variety of their offerings. From waxes and fragrance oils to room spray bases and vessels, Makesy has made it easy for me to build a brand I’m proud of. Their products have helped shape the look, feel, and experience of Retreat Aroma—and I’m so grateful for that support."
follow along at: www.retreataroma.com
Happy making!
