The Scented Squirrel | Indie Wax Vendor Interviews

Hello lovies, I am thrilled to be sharing an interview I had with the owner of The Scented Squirrel & my haul. So let's jump right into it.
The Scented Squirrel | Indie Wax Vendor Interviews
The Scented Squirrel | Indie Wax Vendor Interviews

Please introduce yourself what's your name & as well as the name of your brand?
My name is Jess Dickey and I am the owner of The Scented Squirrel LLC based out of northeast Ohio.

-Why led you to choosing that name you did for your brand, did you have any others in mind?
The city I live in (and grew up in,) Kent Ohio, is known for it’s large population of squirrels, it seemed fitting, I never thought up any other names. 

-Do you sell anything other than wax melts? 
I also sell hand sanitizers, body/room sprays, lip balms and I also do foaming sugar scrubs on a custom basis.

-What led you to creating your own products?
It started as a hobby, I used to be a wax blogger (The Wax Addict) I decided to try making my own melts after receiving supplies as a birthday gift one year. 

-How long have you been in this business? Is it a side hustle or full time job for you? 
I have been in business since July 2016. Currently my shop is a full time job for me.

-Since joining this industry, how has it changed?
Lots more wax shops have popped up, seems like every month there are new vendors out there. I also see a lot more collaboration between vendors which I think is a wonderful thing.

-What other interests & hobbies do you enjoy? 
I am interested in true crime, I am heading back to school in the fall to get another master’s degree, this time in Criminology & Criminal Justice. That will be keeping me busy. I also enjoy watching TV, collecting tarot cards, crystals and reading.

-While scent preferences vary from one to nose to another, without knowing someone's preferences, what are three scents you'd recommend to anyone?
If you mean my own scents that I create, I suggest my zucchini blends, lavender blends and marshmallow fireside blends. 

-What is your favourite thing about the wax melt industry? 
The creativity and the way scents can bring you comfort and happiness as well as bring back memories.

-Excluding your own brand, what is one of your favourite brands to get wax from? 
Oh, my list is long. Top favorites are Little Olive Tree Co, Waxy Taffy, L3 Waxy Wonders & Barrett Wax Crafts, to name a few.

-What are your top 10 selling scents?
1. Migraine Buster: Lavender Chamomile, Rosemary Mint and Wintergreen 
2. Marshmallows Under The Moon: Warm Toasted Marshmallows, Smoldering Woods, Rich Vanilla Cream, Cinnamon, Clove, and Nutmeg
3. Linnea: Lavender and Fresh Rain 
4. Lea's Sleepy Sugar Cookies: Vanilla Sugar Cookie Dough and Twilight (Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Tonka)
5. Dusk: Baby Powder and Twilight (Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Tonka)
6. Mountain Man: Blue Sugar and Warm Vanilla Oak 
7. Chakra: Amber, Sandalwood, Vanilla & Fresh Bamboo
8. Mint Cubed: Peppermint Fluff, Peppermint Swizzle Sticks & Creme’ de Menthe Whip
9. Spell Book: Lavender, Patchouli, Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Musk & Rose
10. Oregon Haze: Cannabis Flowers and Bamboo Hemp

-From the moment inspiration sparks, giving a rough estimation, how long does it take you to execute it? 
I write it down as soon as an idea comes to me, I make sure to make it the very next time I make a batch of wax. Some I hold back for other times of the year if I think something is more seasonal.

-What helps you continue doing what you do, where do you find your motivation?
My family and husband are big motivators in my business, they keep me going. Also the relationships I have with other vendors are so important and they help keep me motivated as well.

-Advice can be so helpful when starting out, what is something you knew when you first began? 
Test, test, test! Make sure to test your products before you open. Make sure to try out various brands of fragrance oil when you first get started so you can find what works best for you.

-Where do you want your business to be in a year, are there any goals you wish to achieve? 
I hope my business is still as it is in year, I may have to cut back due to returning to school but that won’t stop my creativity and energy for the shop. I have seen many vendors closing up lately. I don’t want to be one of them.

The Scented Squirrel Haul
The Scented Squirrel Haul
The scents I purchased are Mint Cubed x2, Baby, It's Cold Outside x2, Trick or Treat, Apple Brown Sugar, Vanilla Cream & Pie Crust, Night of Fright, Stephanie's Gourmet Cotton Candy, Jelly Fluff Cronuts, Blueberry Pumpkin Zucchini Bread & Silly Rabbit.

There was three samples included in my order: 1. Blueberry Parfait, Vanilla Buttercream & Tea and Cakes, 2. Pumpkin Cranberry Cider & Danish Butter Cookies, 3. Peppermint Swizzle Sticks & White Cake

My three favourite scents from my order are Apple Brown Sugar, Vanilla Cream & Pie Crust which is a nice creamy, sweet bakery scent. I wish there was a little bit more apple to it, however it still smells delicious.
Second favourite scent is Bake Shop's scent notes are Cider Lane, Vanilla Bean Noel & Zucchini. To me the main scent that sticks out is apple, which I love because I don't feel like it limits me to warming it to any certain season.
My third favourite scent is Mint Cubed, specifically because it's so minty is such an amazing way. It's just so yummy.

I highly recommend The Scented Squirrel, their scents smell delicious, & have a great throw. To use them I pop the wax out of the containers & cut it up into three pieces. You don't need to use the whole container. The wax has a strong throw, & holds up well overtime. I still have some pieces left, that I'm hoardering until they become available again. & they smell just as good as the day I got them!

The scent shots are 1.7-1.8 oz & they're priced at $2.00.

The Scented Squirrel online
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Thank you so much for reading,
Anita xo

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