Eye on small business: Oh D’Luxe Candle Co., Bridgeport

An accountant, payroll specialist and human resources generalist, not to mention part-time Bridgeport nanny and nanny agency proprietor, Jamaican-born and -raised Oddette Staple-Brown also has a handle on candles.

Attracted by candles and their delicious scents since she was a child, she started making her own during the pandemic.

“My husband smelled the candles burning around our home and thought they were too good not to share with others. We did a soft launch, sold out three times and the Oh D’Luxe Candle Co. was born.”

A Connecticut resident for more than 20 years, she discovered that the state had a wealth of resources available for aspiring business owners.

“The Office of the Connecticut Secretary of State was particularly helpful,” she said, “offering a comprehensive step-by-step guide on their website.”

Talk about maximum use of space:  Staple-Brown’s home studio “consists of several areas” within her 650-square-foot apartment. “My kitchen houses a large wax melter on the counter, while the living room and dining room are used for manufacturing, office work and packaging.”

The only rooms not used for the business, she said, are the bedroom and bathroom.

Not that lack of space has held up production. Oh D’Luxe products are available in more than 20 retail stores across New England and New York, including major retailer REI. She also sells direct at pop-ups throughout the year, including at “The Big E!” show in West Springfield, Massachusetts, noon to 4 p.m. Sept. 14.

With a passion for research, Staple-Brown was eager to discover the best wax, wick and fragrance combinations to create the cleanest candles. Her goal, she said, was to produce candles that were not only loved but that were environmentally friendly. “While the initial testing and experimentation was challenging, I quickly adapted,” she said. She also chose, early on, to use only soy wax. “(It’s) remarkable for its natural and renewable nature.” Biodegradable, it can be cleaned up effortlessly with soap and water, as well as being nontoxic and free from carcinogens, pollutants and harmful byproducts.

A one-woman band, she developed her own branding, focusing on a clean, minimalist style with bold elements, like the company’s distinctive, large red lettering. And as an avid candle-lover, she developed her scent profiles based on the fragrances she personally enjoyed, “particularly those that are unique and not commonly found on the market.”

The soy candles with unique scents remain the company’s best-selling product, although floral diffusers, introduced earlier in 2024, are quickly becoming a customer favorite as well, according to Staple-Brown.

Expansion plans include hand and body products. The biggest challenge, though, she said, is managing the growing business within the confines of her small apartment.

As for her own favorite scents, when pressed she singled out those with woody, musky notes, such as Speak Easy and Vanilla Ice.

Another favorite, “Fall All Year,” is, as its name implies, available year-round – although arguably the next couple of months would be the perfect time to sample it.