When Jamaica’s streets fell silent under pandemic curfews, Shanique Bruce found herself marooned at home—newborn in arms, research lab on pause, mind racing. A lifelong scent-enthusiast, she began tinkering with waxes and wicks in the quiet hours, searching for a way to “step outside” without crossing her threshold. The result was CandledbyShan: an artisan candle studio obsessed with turning ordinary rooms into sensory destinations.
“Why queue for bubble tea when you can ignite it?” Bruce quips, lifting a pastel-swirled Boba candle. “Same joy, zero calories, and your sofa becomes the café.”
Science Meets Scent
Bruce’s training as a pharmaceutical compounding chemist serves as the company’s secret sauce. Where many makers rely on trial-and-error, she reverse-engineers burn rates and fragrance loads with the precision of a lab protocol. Every vessel is matched to a specific wick series; every fragrance oil is blended for optimal hot-throw. The approach has shaved months off product development and afforded CandledbyShan a reputation for candles that scent an entire space before a match is even struck.
More Than a Pretty Flame
Packaging is half the performance. Each box arrives with care tools, a trimmed wick, and a handwritten note—often featuring a line of scripture or an uplifting mantra. The goal? Transform lighting a candle into a mini-ritual of self-care. Many SKUs borrow from comfort foods: Taro Tea, Cereal Milk, Salted Caramel Sundae. For Bruce, who once used candles to sidestep her own dietary restrictions, it’s a playful nod to indulgence without the guilt.
Product Ecosystem
- Mosquito-repellent outdoor tins (best-seller)
- Car diffusers with customizable charms
- Wax melts & electric warmers for flame-free environments
- Event favors for weddings and corporate retreats
- Candle care kits—snuffers, wick trimmers, rechargeable lighters
The Business Curve
Bruce and her husband currently operate the entire supply chain—from formula design to Instagram customer service. Learning pricing strategy and mastering Jamaican sourcing logistics have been steep climbs, but customer feedback keeps momentum high. A retail roll-out to pharmacies and boutique stores is slated for the next six months, with export planning under way.
Vision Forward
Sleepless nights in the workshop haven’t dimmed Bruce’s ambition: “Luxury aromatherapy in Jamaica shouldn’t be an import,” she says. “When the word candle is mentioned anywhere on the island—or overseas—I intend CandledbyShan to be the name that flickers first.”
For now, her laboratory smells like toasted marshmallows, citrus peels, and the promise of travel without traffic. One strike of a lighter, and you’re off.
