Exploring Life & Business with Alexxis Hamilton of Prestige Scents

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexxis Hamilton.  

Hi Alexxis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m Alexxis and I am a Talent Advisor in HR. I graduated from MSU and now a proud first time home owner. As a first gen homeowner and college graduate, my mother always pushed my siblings and I to excel in all areas in life. She knew that having a business could help me learn about entrepreneurship since that was something she always wanted for herself and her children. Living in poverty had her push us to be greater and to never stop improving. She would often have us study over summer breaks with workbooks and writing book reports.

She took me to a trusted CPA to start my business to sell essential oils. Though I loved doing this, I craved to create something with my hands that would bring value to people’s lives. But I still loved the benefits of aromatherapy, then I discovered with the essential oils. As I sat there thinking about this, I thought of candles as I was burning one. I have always wanted to create, so I am having an amazing time doing that. This journey has had a lot of ups and downs, but I am where I am today because I didn’t give up.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There have been LOTS of ups and downs. I started my business for Prestige Scents in 2019, before the pandemic. Months of planning and testing to make sure it was a quality product. I was then furloughed in March and decided to officially launch! I couldn’t predict how bad COVID-19 would be. It disrupted the supply chain which made production of my supplies minimal, but there was a huge increase of others starting candle businesses as well which made supplies sparse. That was when I had to pivot with changing a few vessels but kept the amazing product going. It is still struggle with inflation of supplies and goods.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Prestige Scents is a black woman-owned handmade candle company. We specialize in elegant scents that tap into the emotion on moments. Each scent is carefully selected and named based off of the feeling it creates aromatically. True aromatherapy that will not give you a headache and will last at a great price. Each purchase helps the business grow little by little. Having fun with different limited-edition scents based off of customers’ wants and curiosities helps them become exposed to different scents which makes the journey that much greater. There are about 9 signature scents and rotating limited edition seasonal scents.

We promote protecting your peace which ties into better mental health through self-care practices like exercise, meditation, or even something as simple as turning your phone off and watching Netflix. We have recently collaborated with another small black business, Dear Self Care. We brought our summer scent, Balance to promote balance in your life. With the proceeds, a percentage was donated to the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Michigan.

This business was made for the people that strive for a better self-inside and out. Those people that enjoy those alone times in stillness for a moment with self-reflection. It is for those that love to curl up in a clean home in their peace. But the cherry on top to set the mood is a candle. Something about that lovely smell in the air creates a comfort nothing can replicate. That is what we are proud to do.

I try to take advantage of local markets to get the scents in front of the customer to try in person. We also include room & toilet sprays as well as wax melts. So, nothing makes my day more than to see someone’s face light up at a scent they are tied to. So, keep checking our website for upcoming markets!

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I was very shy, but I always pushed myself to be better. I was always silly because of my family being silly. I was taught to be independent because I was the oldest. So, helping with my sisters was always expected which included being a good example of a young woman to them.

School was always expected from my parents. So going to college was in the books. But my parents helped my sisters, and I fall in love with learning. I loved everything about school, except the exams. So, you could say I was a slight nerd but proud of it. I had many interests, but entrepreneurship and being a businesswoman was always there.

Now, I feel I am my younger self’s wildest dreams. Going through college to meet amazing people that changed my life and perspective. I am now proudly independent with my own things and my first home with a business I am passionate about. I am not who I was before, but that is what we are supposed to do…grow. It is either evolve or repeat every day. Taking things one day and task at a time is all we can do. Utilizing our time in a way to pursue our goals and taking care of ourselves.

Pricing:

• 10 oz. Candles are $16.50
• 16 oz. candles are $20
• Wax melts are $6
• Sprays are $15

Contact Info:

• Website: prestigescents.com.co
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/_prestigescents
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prestigecandlemoods
• Other: TikTok: @prestigescents

Image Credits
Erin Walker
www.intheclickoftime.com