Today we’d like to introduce you to Kandie Reynolds.
Kandie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My journey into candle making started long before I ever thought I’d own a business. I’ve always loved fragrance, but my relationship with scent became deeply personal after the loss of my sister, who was also my best friend. In the midst of grief, I searched for peace and something that felt grounding and candle making slowly became that sanctuary. What began as a calming hobby turned into a form of therapy; each scent helped me process, remember and heal.
Over time, I realized I wasn’t just making candles-I was creating moments. Moments to exhale after a long day, reset a space, and lean into self-care in a way that felt simple but meaningful. That’s what led me to officially build Kandie’s Scents, LLC: a brand rooted in intention and designed to bring comfort, joy and calm into everyday life. Every product is handcrafted in small batches using a soy wax or coconut wax blends and carefully curated fragrance combinations, because quality and experience matter to me from first sight to the last burn.
Today, I’m proud of how far this dream has come-from a personal healing journey to a growing fragrance brand that serves customers both online and in-store in Memphis. I still pour with the same heart that started it all, and my mission remains simple: help people slow down, breathe deep, and make their spaces feel peaceful, purposeful, and beautifully scented-because scent isn’t just something you smell, it’s something you feel.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been completely smooth. Like many small business owners, I’ve had to navigate the realities of entrepreneurship-especially money and cash flow, while still trying to grow intentionally and not burn out. There’s a constant balance between investing in inventory, packaging, events, marketing, and the everyday costs that come with running a brand, all while making sure the business is sustainable.
Another major challenge has been consistency with my health. During this journey, I dealt with pain daily which eventually required me to undergo a major neck surgery, and that has been one of the hardest struggles I’ve faced. Recovery required frequent doctor visits, medication, and strict limitations, including a very low weight restriction. This affected me in many ways because so many of the hands-on tasks I normally do became difficult or impossible at times. Trying to keep the business moving while healing, and while still managing life in general, tested me in every way.
At the same time, that setback also revealed how resilient I am and how strong the foundation of my business has become. One of my biggest breakthroughs during and after that season was building my presence at Painted Tree-Memphis and seeing repeat customers come back again and again. Their support reminded me that Kandie’s Scents is more than products-it’s community, connection, and consistency of experience, even when life isn’t consistent.
That period formed me to operate more like a CEO: to plan smarter, pace myself, focus on what matters most, and keep showing up with intention. It wasn’t easy, but it shaped the way I lead my business today-with more strategy, more grace, and even more purpose behind every pour.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In my day-to-day work, I serve in an Executive Assistant capacity within a fast paced healthcare environment, where I keep priorities organized, communication clear, and operations moving smoothly. My role blends strategy with execution. I’m often the person making sure the details are handled, timelines stay on track, and teams have what they need to be successful.
I specialize in scheduling and calendar management, meeting logistics, travel coordination, and internal communications, including newsletters and event planning. I’m known for being always prepared, a strong planner, and bringing a positive attitude to even the busiest days. I’m proactive by nature, so I focus on anticipating needs, reducing last minute stress and creating a structure where it’s needed most.
Outside of my professional role, I’m also the owner of Kandie’s Scents, LLC, where I create candles, wax melts and room sprays designed to help people slow down, reset, and set the mood with intention. What I love is that both worlds connect-whether I’m supporting a team in healthcare or building my brand, my work is rooted in organization, consistency, and service.
What I’m most proud of is being able to show up with excellence in both spaces; supporting others professionally while also building something meaningful of my own. What sets me apart is the way I combine strong planning and follow-through with warmth-people know they can count on me to be prepared, keep things moving, and bring good energy while getting results.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I haven’t had a formal mentor so far, so a lot of what I’ve learned has come from experience, community and staying open to learning from people who are a few steps in front of me. I’ve taken quite a few classes to help in my learning. If I could give advice to someone looking for a mentor, it would be to start by getting clear on what you need most-whether that’s pricing, scaling, marketing, or product consistency-and then seek out a business owner who is industry specific and already doing what you want to do as well.
For networking, what has worked best for me is building relationships in spaces where I’m already active. I network through my booth community at Painted Tree in Memphis, with other vendors and small business owners, and I also network heavily on social media. I’ve joined groups focused on small business ownership and candle making, and I’ve found that being in a room-virtual or in person- where people share resources and real experiences make a difference. I also network through a program provided by my insurance company, what has been another great way to connect and learn.
The biggest things that have helped me are consistency, following up, and supporting others without keeping score. I try to engage regularly, check in, share encouragement, and be someone who adds value. I don’t mind answering questions when I can, and I’ve learned that generosity, paired with professionalism builds trust. Over time, those small interactions turn into real connections.
My advice is to treat networking like community building; showing up, be genuine, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to reach out. A mentor relationship often grows naturally when you lead with respect, come prepared, and consistently apply what you learn.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kandiesscentsllc.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandiesscentsllc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kandiesscentsllc
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@kandiesscentsllc?si=SLS9kXqcY_K1vXZS
- Other: https://linktr.ee/Kandiesscentsllc
