As the year draws to a close, we’re reflecting on all the incredible milestones, memories, and moments of gratitude that made 2024 so special at The Scented Market. This year was truly unforgettable, and it’s all thanks to YOU — our amazing community. Here’s a look back at the highlights of 2024 and a heartfelt thank you for joining us on this journey.
A Year of Scented Delights
We began the year with an incredible lineup of Scent of the Month candles that brought joy to so many homes. From the tropical freshness of Lime and Papaya to the warm embrace of Orange Cinnamon Clove and the crisp allure of Ski Slopes, each scent told its own story. In the spring, we added a fan favourite to our collection: Laundry on the Line, a clean and refreshing scent that became a seasonal staple.
Celebrating Milestones
This year, we hit a monumental achievement: over 120,000 orders on Shopify! Each order represents a connection with you, our loyal customers, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
We also celebrated 6 incredible years of The Scented Market. This journey has been nothing short of amazing, and it’s all because of your unwavering support.
Recognized for Excellence
2024 was a year of recognition and celebration! We were honoured to receive two nominations from Canadian SME: Customer Service Excellence 2023 and Businesswoman of the Year 2023 for our founder, Kristy.
We proudly took home the Canadian Choice Award for Best Retail Store in Guelph and the Canadian SME Small Business of the Year Award (Up to 50 Employees).
We were also thrilled to win several Guelph Community Votes Awards:
- Platinum in Candles
- Gold in Gift Shops
- Silver in Home Decor, Boutiques, and Cosmetics and Perfumes
To cap it off, Kristy travelled to NYC in the fall and won the Women Led Award presented by the Women of Inspiration Awards. What an honour!
New Products, New Adventures
This year saw the launch of some exciting new products, including our Lavender Infused Pillows, Floral Candle Collection Vessels, and the stunning Lavender Vessel Candle with its unique purple shadowcast design.
And who could forget our French Baguette candle, inspired by Kristy’s travels to the South of France? Its warm, buttery aroma transported us all to a quaint Parisian bakery.
For the holiday season, we introduced Body Care Gift Sets, Lip Shine Gift Sets and Travel-Sized Hand Lotions. These were perfect gifts for loved ones or a treat for yourself!
This year, we also proudly launched our products in select Loblaws, Goodness Me, Ambrosia and Linen Chest stores, bringing our scents to even more homes across Canada.
Events, Connections, and Community
This year, we returned to CBC with the I Love Dragon’s Den Market in February. It was a privilege to connect with fellow entrepreneurs and share our journey with other businesses featured on the show. We also celebrated the 2nd anniversary of our appearance on Dragon’s Den!
Our June and September Market at the Market events were a smashing success, featuring 20 local vendors and fabulous swag bags.
Giving back to our community has always been a core value for us and for the first time, we hosted a Silent Auction at the September market. We raised funds for The Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, helping feed 473 children!
Through our Candle Fundraiser Program, we partnered with 36 organizations and gave back $16,906 to support various causes in our community. This initiative continues to be a cornerstone of our mission to make a positive impact.
In partnership with the Guelph Chamber of Commerce, we hosted a Business Around 5 event at our warehouse, welcoming over 85 professionals to experience candle-making firsthand while enjoying bites from our epic charcuterie table. It was an evening of connection and inspiration.
Spreading the Love
We brought back the beloved 12 Days of Giveaways on social media to express our gratitude to our incredible community. Each day featured a special goodie, and your excitement made it all worthwhile.
We also took our candles on the road with the Candle Van, bringing our products to local markets, events, and more.
Thank You for an Incredible Year
As we look back on 2024, our hearts are full of gratitude! From launching new products to connecting with you at markets and events, this year has been a testament to the power of community. Thank you for supporting The Scented Market and making each milestone possible.
But 2024 isn’t quite over yet — we’re gearing up for a big finish and an even more exciting 2025.
Stay tuned for what’s to come, and from all of us at The Scented Market, thank you for being part of our story. Here’s to another amazing year ahead!
