Meet Danielle Velasquez | Sales Director & Business Development Expert

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Velasquez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
My Mom was the spark that ignited my desire to start a creative business. She was an extremely talented woman; painting free hand around the house, a great chef, a dance instructor, and educator. When she passed, I dedicated time to do things she liked to do. During the winter of 2021, I decided I wanted to make homemade gifts for my family and close friends—something that was reminiscent of her spirit. Then it dawned on me that she made candles! I researched materials, tested and perfected scents, and gifted the first batch. I received great reviews and decided to pilot a small batch on Instagram and Deeelicious Scents was born. Every Deeelicious Scents Candle is handmade and is one of many ways my Mother’s light and legacy continues on in this world.

In the same vein, I decided to become licensed in life insurance after having first-hand experience in what it is like when a family member passes and there is no coverage in place. The burden weighs heavy and I feel compelled to ensure it is not that way moving forward. Every family deserves the opportunity to have a sturdy financial house and I am here to educate individuals on how they can utilize life insurance as a tool to protect their families from unforeseen financial burden.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My business was cultivated out of love and during one of the hardest periods of my life. Navigating the world during a period of loss, not only for me but for the world was foreign. I knew I wanted to stay grounded by pursuing some of my Mom’s passions during quarantine. I started with cooking and even thought about starting a meal prep service. When the idea of candles came to mind, it was a perfect fit. I personally love candles. They enhance any ambiance and they’re beautiful and unique, just like my Mother was. It has been a joy to curate each step of this process and see the business grow day by day. I personally oversee every component of the business and I am the head candle maker or shall I say the head Loubie wearing candle maker?! It is beautiful to see a passion turn into a business!

As mentioned previously, my life insurance practice was also established as a response to my Mother’s passing. I feel compelled to ensure others have the right information when it comes to protecting their loved ones from unforeseeable circumstances.

My advice in starting a business is to be relentless in your action plan. If you have an idea. Go for it. You will make mistakes, as I have along the way, but there is always a solution. The hardest step is just doing. Get your idea off the ground and everything will fall in line.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
This is such a fun question. Start by grabbing a coffee and taking a stroll in the city. Some personal favorites are Stereoscope (Echo Park), Maru (Arts District), and Kumquat (Jonathan Club DTLA). Take a scenic hike at Runyon Canyon or hike to the Hollywood sign. After the hike you’ll be hungry! I suggest The Ivy for some of the yummiest dishes in LA and a beautiful ambiance that transports you to Europe. After lunch visit some of our beautiful museums (The Getty Villa [Malibu], LACMA [Miracle Mile], The Hammer Museum [Westside], The Broad [DTLA]). If you’re thirsty for a rooftop cocktail, may I suggest Dante (Beverly Hills), The Conrad Agua Viva (DTLA), The Edition Hotel (West Hollywood), Elephante (Santa Monica), or Grandmaster Recorders (Hollywood). For dinner, score a coveted reservation at Funke, visit famed Nobu Malibu, or view the city from the sky at 71 Above. For after dinner cocktails I always recommend Wally’s Beverly Hills.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are so many people I am indebted to. First and foremost, I would like to start with my parents. Thank you for always believing in me and instilling a fervent tenacity to persevere. I remember feeling like the world was my oyster at a young age. I now realize how rare and special that is and I thank them for that every day. To my Aunt Hilary and Uncle Gerard, thank you for taking me under your wing from a very young age. You taught me to be comfortable in any room and that communication is the most effective tool you can possess. Another shout out to the educators and mentors that have taught me to stay resilient. To speak up. To share my two scents at the table—I thank you.

Website: https://www.deeeliciousscents.com

Instagram: itsdani_marie or deeeliciousbrands

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellemvelasquez/