Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Waddell.
Hi Samantha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The idea of creating S.WICK & CO initially came to me when planning my dream spring wedding. I wanted to gift all my loved ones + curate my wedding with pieces that were unique, memorable, and also budget/eco-friendly! I found that everything was either overpriced, not environmentally friendly, or just too generic.
A lot of scented candles on the market include synthetic fragrances and dyes, which are known to release dangerous VOCs such as formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limonene, alcohol, and esters. Candles are often made using paraffin wax, which can be extremely toxic. I quickly realized the need for organic, sustainable, budget-friendly handcrafted decor that would also inspire moments of tranquility in my very own home.
I love art + design. Our aesthetic candles are placed all over my home to create spaces and moments that allow you to feel relaxed and refreshed. I believe the best feeling in the world is when you have a clean, aesthetically pleasing space. The environment is key in creating a life you want to wake up to every day. From the moment you wake up in the morning with the warm sunlight perfectly filtering in and smelling your clean, crisp sheets – to when you nourish your body with an organic breakfast, pour yourself a glass of hot lemon + ginger tea (I am not a coffee drinker~) and light one of our soy candles. It truly sets the ambiance of how your day will unravel. And if you are not having such a good day…you can also put a close to it by burning one of our signature candles while taking a rejuvenating, hot bath. This will set the tone for how you relax your mind before sleep.
After months of finding the perfect balance and formula for crafting our candles, I found this to feel more like a relaxing hobby than a job. One thing lead to another, and I decided to share this with others. Each one of our soy candles is individually crafted by yours truly using only natural & sustainable quality ingredients. They are individually hand-poured in small batches in our studio located in Baltimore, Maryland. Although we take great measures in consistency, no single candle is the same as the next which is why each is so uniquely special!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
To be completely transparent, my dream has its highs and lows – as every business does. There are days where I struggle more than others and it is tough to keep up with the supply and demand. However, when my clients receive their orders and fall in love with our product, it reminds me of my mission and why I created my brand.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have my Masters in healthcare and currently work full-time in healthcare. It was always my dream to do something with the arts and to create. However, I grew up with a Korean traditional background with subjective views on that career path. With that being said, here was an itch I always felt the need to scratch with my creative side. I dabbled in interior design and styling my own home. It just wasn’t enough.
As I mentioned in “my story” earlier the brand came about as I was planning my dream spring wedding as I was looking for eco and budget-friendly decor to gift to our loved ones. This is when S.WICK & CO came about and it became a relaxing hobby for me to curate candles and craft them into different aesthetic shapes. I think my creative touch sets me apart from others as well as my passion. Most candles we see are typical jar or scented candles that often contain harmful ingredients.
In today’s society and consumer market, it’s just really tough to know what is good for you and what is harmful. It’s such a shame how many products are on the market, even food that is toxic to us nowadays. I just wanted to create something aesthetically pleasing in terms of elevated decor, yet utilizing only all-natural organic, and sustainable ingredients.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
I have so many fond childhood memories. However, if I had to pick just one that applied to my brand, I would say that many of those memories came from my grandfather. He is still alive and well, however aging. He has always been someone that has inspired me.
He’s never afraid to try new ventures and he’s one of the most creative individuals I know. One of my favorite childhood memories was sitting on his lap learning how to carve wooden toothpicks. Have you ever purchased toothpicks that were too thick to fit in between your teeth, or if they did, they would break? My grandfather used bamboo and hand-carved them so thin that they were durable and thin enough for the perfect toothpick! This was one of many “projects” he had. My grandfather has built homes, ponds, managed properties, crafted woodwork, painted, made beef jerky, and he even built us our own playground growing up. There are just so many things I watched him do over the years and I can’t remember every single thing, but I think this is where I observed true passion in watching someone just create whatever they put their mind to.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swickandco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.wick_co/
Image Credits
Headshot: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
Baltimore Voyage 1: Nikki Santerre
Baltimore Voyage 2: Nikki Santerre
Baltimore Voyage 3: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
Baltimore Voyage 4: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
Baltimore Voyage 5: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
Baltimore Voyage 6: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
Baltimore Voyage 7: Marisa Rael Nimon Bandy, Living the Dream Photography
