Meet Kate De Palma | Founder & CEO of Scented Designs Candle Co.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kate De Palma and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kate, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Before starting Scented Designs, my candle company, I was an educator, which itself requires so much creativity. But creativity takes so many different forms, and I’ve always felt drawn to texture and color (and scent, apparently!). In college, I dreamed about a career in fashion or interior design while pursuing my English degree because that’s what felt ‘safe’ to me. Years out of college after getting my teaching credential and teaching high school English for several years, I decided I didn’t want ‘safe’ anymore. I left education to pursue interior design and while doing that, I ‘accidentally’ started my business when I was invited to bring my handmade candles (a hobby at the time) to a local holiday faire to sell. So, while I didn’t plan to be a creative entrepreneur, it makes sense to me that it’s where I ended up because I ultimately chose to follow my passion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Scented Designs is a woman-owned candle company located in San Jose, California, where we’re passionate about hand-poured candles that burn clean, long, and strong. We care about the creativity and craftsmanship behind our product, we care about the positive impact a well-made candle can have on someone, and we care about giving back to the earth through partnership with 1% for the Planet.

Scented Designs was born out of a candle-making hobby I picked up out of grad school. I’m an educator by training and started my career as an English teacher before leaving education with the intention of studying interior design. Life had other plans and my business was started somewhat by accident when I did a few local craft fairs and pop-up markets, which I’d always loved going to with my mom when I was.a kid (in the pre-Etsy days!).

The road to growing my business to where it is today – especially when I didn’t have any business training – has been challenging, and I’m most proud of my grit and perseverance. There have been many opportunities to quit and give up (in fact, I almost did when I returned to the classroom a few years ago), but I continued the business despite the obstacles and eventually took it from side hustle to a full-time gig. I pivoted from in-person events to ecommerce when COVID hit, and that has been a game-changer for the business as well.

One lesson I’ve learned is to take care of yourself first: you are not your business, and it shouldn’t run you! That’s one reason I made the jump to running the business full-time. I was working way too many evenings and weekends when it was my side hustle, and I wasn’t taking care of myself. I’ve been able to adopt a much more ‘normal’ work schedule now that the business isn’t a side hustle, and that has been an important transition for my own sanity and the sustainability of running and growing a business.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a huge fan of pub trivia, and one of my favorite things to do with family or friends is head to an evening of trivia. The Halford in Santa Clara is a current favorite, with shout-outs also going to St. Stephen’s Green in Mountain View and Level Uproar Brewing in San Jose.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to my family, especially my parents. The support they’ve always given me – both when I was a kid and now as an entrepreneur – is extraordinary. Thank you to them for the encouragement to make my own path and all sorts of support along the way.

Website: https://www.scenteddesigns.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scenteddesignscandleco/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-de-palma-005198aa/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScentedDesignsCandleCo

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ-jPp-mw0TFzmvWqHxGlAw

Image Credits
Emily Kim Photography