We were lucky to catch up with Yanil recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Yanil thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I always say Sacred Scents44 was born out of both necessity and love. At the time, I was going through a deeply personal journey of healing. Life had given me seasons of grief, transition, and rediscovery, and I was searching for ways to ground myself to create a sanctuary in the middle of chaos.

For me, scent became that anchor. Lighting a candle wasn’t just about fragrance; it was about setting an intention, creating space to breathe, to release, and to realign. Every time the flame flickered, it felt like a reminder: I was still here, still glowing, still capable of warmth.

What started as a very personal ritual quickly became something I wanted to share. I noticed that so many people around me were also carrying heavy loads stress, loss, uncertainty and they longed for moments of peace in their homes. Candles, sprays, and diffusers had always been available in the market, but what I didn’t see was a brand that truly connected scent with healing, empowerment, and intention. Most products were just about smell, not about soul.

That’s when the idea clicked: what if I could create products that weren’t just beautiful and fragrant, but also intentional tools for self-care and healing? Each candle, each spray, could be paired with an affirmation, a ritual, or a meaning that gave it more depth.

On the logical side, I knew this made sense because:
• The self-care and wellness industry was growing rapidly.
• People were craving authenticity brands with a soul, not just a label.
• And most importantly, my products solved a real problem: creating accessible rituals of peace and empowerment in people’s daily lives.

But beyond logic, what made me most excited was the thought of someone lighting a candle I made and instantly feeling comforted, uplifted, or seen. That was the heartbeat of Sacred Scents44: to turn everyday moments into sacred ones.

What started at my kitchen table, experimenting with wax and oils late into the night, grew into a business that now carries my story, my healing, and my belief that we all deserve to feel rooted, loved, and whole.

Yanil, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Yanil, and I am the founder and creator behind Sacred Scents44 a woman-owned candle and home fragrance brand born from a journey of healing, self-love, and resilience.

I didn’t step into this industry because I wanted to simply “make candles.” I came into it because scent became a form of therapy for me. During a period of deep transition in my life, I found that lighting a candle or surrounding myself with a calming aroma gave me a sense of peace when nothing else could. What started as a personal ritual to ground myself slowly became a calling to share that experience with others.

At Sacred Scents44, we create hand-poured candles, room & linen sprays, diffusers, massage oil candles, and intentional collectionseach one designed not just to smell beautiful, but to mean something. Every product is paired with an affirmation, a story, or a ritual that allows our customers to connect with it on a deeper, more soulful level.

What sets us apart
• Intention in every product: We’re not just selling fragrance, we’re offering rituals of self-care.
• Healing through scent: Each collection is created with emotional resonance, affirmations, and symbolism in mind.
• Luxury with soul: Our brand aesthetic is minimal, clean, and high-end, but always infused with heartfelt meaning.
• Personal connection: Every scent has been inspired by a real moment, memory, or need for healing in my life and that authenticity resonates with our customers.

The problems we solve
Life is busy, stressful, and often overwhelming. Many of my clients come to us not just for a candle, but for a way to:
• Create a sanctuary in their homes.
• Anchor themselves during self-care rituals, meditation, or prayer.
• Find meaningful, intentional gifts that say something beyond the surface.
• Reconnect with themselves through small daily practices that bring peace, joy, or empowerment.

Candle-Making Classes
Another part of our work that I love is teaching candle-making workshops. These classes invite people to slow down, create with their hands, and learn the craft behind Sacred Scents44. It’s more than just pouring wax it’s about creating a personal ritual, connecting with others, and walking away with something that reflects your own energy and intention. We’ve hosted classes for private groups, community programs, and special events, and every time, I see the same joy: people discovering that candle-making is both art and therapy.

What I’m most proud of
I’m proud that Sacred Scents44 has become more than just a brand it’s a community. I’ve seen how our candles and classes have been used during weddings, healing circles, meditation sessions, and even moments of personal breakthrough. I’m proud that what started on my kitchen table has grown into something that inspires people to pause, reflect, and breathe.

Beyond the Glow
Beyond the glow of her candles, I am a passionate community advocate. I uplift fellow entrepreneurs, participate in local events, and use my platform to amplify the voices of small businesses. As a proud mother of two daughters, I am not only building a business but nurturing a legacy one that I hope will inspire and empower future generations.

What I want you to know
Sacred Scents44 is about more than fragrance it’s about soulful living. Every flame, every scent, every affirmation, and every workshop is designed to remind you that you are worthy of peace, love, and healing. My hope is that when you bring Sacred Scents44 into your home or join me in a class you’re not just making or lighting a candle, you’re nourishing your spirit.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There was a point in my journey where I felt like everything around me was falling apart. I was juggling personal challenges, financial struggles, and the weight of figuring out how to rebuild my life. During that time, something as simple as lighting a candle became my anchor. It was the small act that reminded me: I can still create light even when everything feels dark.

One story that stands out is when I poured my very first batch of candles at my kitchen table. I had barely any resources, and I remember being nervous that it might not work. The wax wasn’t perfect, the labels were handwritten, and I wondered if anyone would even care about what I was creating. But I sold those candles at a small local market and to my surprise, people connected with them. They didn’t just say, “This smells nice.” They told me things like, “This scent reminds me of home,” or, “I needed this message today.”

That moment taught me resilience in a new way. Even when I doubted myself, I kept going. I learned that resilience isn’t about everything being flawless it’s about showing up, trying again, and turning your pain or uncertainty into something purposeful.

For me, Sacred Scents44 became more than a business it became a reflection of my own resilience. Every time I pour a candle, host a workshop, or see someone connect with my products, I’m reminded that healing and growth are possible. That’s what I hope my story and my brand offers to others: proof that even through the hardest seasons, you can create something beautiful.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was thinking I had to do everything perfectly before I could start. In the beginning, I kept waiting for the “right time,” the perfect labels, the perfect jars, the perfect brand launch. But life reminded me that if I kept waiting, I might never begin.

The backstory is simple: my first candles were far from polished. I poured them at my kitchen table, labeled them by hand, and felt embarrassed that they didn’t look like what I saw in stores. But when I shared them, people didn’t care about perfection they cared about the story, the feeling, and the love behind them.

That experience taught me to let go of perfection and embrace progress. The beauty was never in having it all figured out it was in taking the leap anyway.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sacredscents44.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredscents44?igsh=MW8xY2M5Zmd6ZGZobQ==

Image Credits

Kevin AtProphesy_
Judith Satosky