mid Saturday in St. Elizabeth, Shanique Bruce surveys a workbench that looks equal parts chemistry lab and pastry station: graduated cylinders, digital thermometers, sacks of soy wax, and vials labeled Toasted Marshmallow and Lychee Milk. Every batch is timed, weighed, and logged—yet the endgame isn’t medicine; it is escapism in a glass.
1. The Spark Behind the Wick
Bruce’s résumé reads pharmaceutical chemist, new mother, accidental entrepreneur. Confined indoors during Jamaica’s strict 2020 curfews, she noticed fragrance oils eased her cabin fever. A few trial pours later, she discovered a market for “edible memories”—candles that smell so authentic they replace the craving.
2. Science as a Competitive Weapon
- Precision Over Guesswork:
- Wick diameter, melt-pool radius, wax type, ambient temperature—each variable is calculated, not improvised.
- Quality Control Loop:
- Every formula burns through a 50-hour test cycle before earning a label.
- Result: Consistent scent throw that perfumes a room before the flame hits the halfway mark.
3. Product Portfolio at a Glance
| Line | Signature Scent | Customer Use-Case | Added Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Comfort Foods | Cereal & Cartoons | Weekend wind-down | Zero calories |
| Tea Shop Series | Taro Milk | Study sessions | Cold-throw strength |
| Outdoor Relief | Citronella Mojito | Patio dinners | Mosquito-repellent oils |
| Car Capsules | Blue Mountain Brew | Daily commute | Clip-on diffuser |
(Table shows four of the 20+ SKUs slated for retail launch.)
4. Experience Over Ornament
- Multi-Purpose Design: High fragrance load means the jar doubles as a passive diffuser when unlit.
- Handwritten Inserts: Each box contains a care card, wick trimmer recommendation, and a personal note—often a scripture verse.
- Accessory Ecosystem: Snuffers, rechargeable lighters, and travel tins keep the brand top-of-mind beyond the initial purchase.
5. Growth Trajectory
- Next 6 Months: Placement in major pharmacies and lifestyle boutiques island-wide.
- Export Pilot: Small-batch shipments to diaspora-heavy cities in North America.
- Production Upgrade: Transition from a two-person garage setup to a micro-factory with automated pouring lines while maintaining in-house R&D.
6. Lessons from the Front Lines
“Formulating the candle was the easy part,” Bruce quips. “Pricing, branding, logistics—that’s where the real combustion happens.”
Key takeaways from her first 18 months:
- Authenticity Sells: Food nostalgia outperforms generic spa scents by 3-to-1.
- Data Wins Arguments: Burn-time spreadsheets close retail deals faster than mood boards.
- Community > Advertising: TikTok reviews and wedding-favor referrals drive 70 % of monthly revenue.
7. The Vision
Bruce aims to make Candledbyshan synonymous with “luxury for the senses” across the Caribbean. Her north star: when customers need a mental getaway, they reach for her label before booking a flight—or opening the fridge.
Bottom Line
By merging laboratory discipline with culinary nostalgia, Shanique Bruce has transformed paraffin and perfume into an on-demand vacation. The flame is small; the ambition is not.
