VoyageATL Interview Questions
Your Story
Can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today. You can include as little or as much detail as you’d like.
My company, Sasha Scents was founded in July of 2021 and is owned and operated by a true southern bell. I am an Atlanta native, proud navy veteran, boy mom of two handsome sons whom mean the world to me, and a dog mom of a witty Shih Tzu. During the height of the pandemic is where my journey began, I know many people might think it is impossible to pursue entrepreneurship in such uncertain times, but it has shown to be a great idea because a small business has the potential to survive and even thrive during a global pandemic. Initially when pondering on the idea of starting my own business, I had no idea of what I wanted to do, where I wanted to go, or what market I wanted to try and tap into. As a military veteran, I have traveled the world immersing myself in many different cultures and throughout my travels, I have learned that fragrance and scents are the bridge that connects us all. No matter the culture, the country, ethnicity, or the gender fragrances and scents are loved by everyone. Fragrances are designed to create ambiance, evoke emotions and form long lasting memories one scent at a time.
Obstacles/Challenges
Has it been a smooth road? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
My biggest struggle has been finding enough the time to dedicate to my business as I would like to. Working a full time job as an Assistant Director of financial aid, a full time college student pursuing my Doctoral degree in Organizational Leadership. Working at least 40 hours a week to include an hour and 30 minute commute to and from work 5 days a week. Finding time to go to the gym at least 4 times a week trying to live a healthier lifestyle. Attending pop up shops and festivals on the weekend to grow my network, has been quite a challenge in finding time to expand and grow my business by incorporating new products and innovative ideas to set me apart from other candle and body care vendors.
Please tell us more about your business or organization. What should we know? What do you do, what do you specialize in / what are you known for? What sets you apart from others? What are you most proud brand wise? What do you want our readers to know about your brand, offerings, services, etc?
Sasha Scents is where we specialize in homemade soy wax candles and natural handcrafted skin and bath care products. Our 3 wick candles come in a beautiful clear glass jar with silver hammered lid. Each candle is 14.5oz with a pure white soy blend wax with three wicks for a fast melt, nice wax pool and great throw that is perfect for mid to large size rooms. We have over 30 amazing scents to choose from to include our signature 8 0z and 11 0z single wick mason jar candles that are perfect for smaller rooms and bathrooms. All of our containers are reusable & recyclable and of our scents have a clean burn for up to 45 hours. We use lead-free cotton wicks and wood wicks and each candle is highly fragrant to make sure they are comparable to large well-known brands at a fraction of the price. Our body care products are made using quality skin-care ingredients that can improve the amount of collagen in your skin and decrease the effects of aging. We also offer fundraising opportunities for different groups and organizations at little to no cost, just sweat equity with the opportunity to earn 30% of profit from total sales.
Childhood memory
What was your favorite childhood memory?
There are so many fond childhood memories to choose from, but my favorite would probably be every summer my mom would take me on a trip to Orlando Florida for vacation with our church. We would go to Disney World, SeaWorld and Silver Springs and although we would go to the same place every year I would be so excited as if it was my first time going. I was actually raised by my aunt and uncle whom I call mom and dad and they were my rock and I don’t know where I would be today without them. My biological mother and father also played a major role in my life so growing up I would always say that I had two mothers and two fathers making me one of the luckiest girls alive.
