We’re looking forward to introducing you to Daniel Barcia. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Daniel, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
Every day is a little different, which I actually really enjoy. Some days I’m focused on choosing new fragrances, something that feels true to olent, something we love, but also paying attention to trends and what people are into right now. Then we test them, and when we receive new soy wax, we test everything again, including our best sellers, to make sure the quality stays the same.
Other times I’m answering emails, checking inventory to see what’s running low, placing orders for materials, or spending time on social media to keep our community updated. Some days are more about production—prepping, packing orders, or even delivering them myself. It really depends on the day, but everything I do is focused on making sure olent stays personal, clean, and consistent with what we stand for.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Danny, and together with my wife, we created olent, a clean, nontoxic home fragrance brand. We started olent because we’ve always loved the way a good scent can completely shift the vibe of a space. But we also care a lot about what we breathe in every day, so creating something clean, safe, and beautiful for the home was really important to us.
Everything is handcrafted in small batches using natural soy wax and clean, phthalate-free fragrance oils. We keep our products minimal and elevated, but still very personal and warm, a reflection of how we live and what we value. Whether it’s one of our signature candles or a new seasonal scent, we want people to feel good about bringing olent into their everyday life.
Right now we’re focused on growing, trying out new blends, and staying involved in every step, from testing to packing orders, to make sure that personal touch never gets lost.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
Definitely my father. I have a lot of good memories of him, his personality really left a mark on me. He’s always been a quiet person, very thoughtful, analytical, and steady. His work ethic was (and still is) something I really admire, always punctual, always doing his best, and always putting others before himself.
He worked in aviation for most of his life, commercial flying, dust cropping, flight instructing, even running an aviation school. He actually started as an accountant at a bank, then followed his passion and became a pilot. Eventually, he became the director of an aviation school before retiring. He gave everything he had to his work and to us, we’re five kids, and he somehow always found quality time for each of us.
One interesting thing is that later in life, he earned a degree in child psychology, not to work in the field, but just out of interest. Maybe that helped him understand us better growing up, who knows. But above all, the way he lived his life — with integrity, calm strength, and dedication, really shaped how I see myself and how I try to show up every day, both in life and in running olent.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
100%…ha! Honestly, it feels like that almost every day. There are moments when I seriously question if I want to keep doing this, and then other days when I feel really motivated and inspired to keep going.
Sometimes I’m full of ideas and in that creative zone, testing new fragrances, thinking about new product ideas and sometimes it’s the complete opposite. I just don’t feel it. And when that creative part of me isn’t showing up, it’s hard. Because olent isn’t just about running a business, it’s about creating something we really believe in. So when I feel disconnected from that, it can feel heavy.
The hard days usually come when we’re dealing with rising costs, materials, shipping, packaging, everything keeps going up. We really don’t want to raise our prices, but sometimes it feels like things are getting out of hand. We know it’s just the reality of the times we’re living in, but as a small business, it can be tough to keep up. Things like taxes and accounting also take a toll, they’re necessary and important, but they add to the pressure.
But what keeps us going are the moments that remind us why we started olent, like when we’re at a local market or pop-up and people come up and say, “Wait, you make this?” or “You do this all at home?” That kind of surprise and support means everything. The feedback we get from new customers, returning ones, friends, and family, really helps us push through.
Even the not-so-great feedback, like when someone says a candle didn’t light properly, we take seriously. We care about every order, every customer, and do our best to address anything that comes up. We want people to feel like they’re getting something clean, high-quality, and intentional.
In the end, even with the struggles, we love what we do and those small moments of connection and creativity keep us going.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
My wife, Janyne, without a doubt. She’s the other side of olent and honestly the one with most of the main ideas. From the very first day we met, I was drawn to how smart she is, but also how humble. She’s a pediatric nurse, so by nature she’s careful, compassionate, and always thinking things through before acting. That carries into everything she does. including how we run this business.
There have been many moments when I’ve felt like quitting and going back to what I used to do in private wealth management and the banking field, which I still enjoy in a different way. But she’s the one who pushes me to keep going, to believe in what we’re building with olent.
She’s strong, determined, and has this quiet way of giving 100% of herself to everything and to everyone without expecting anything in return. I’ve benefited so much from her example. We really do complement each other. She’ll probably say she’s not all that, but she truly is. The way she sees things, how she cares for people, how she gives without hesitation, it’s all inspiring. She’s the best.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Absolutely. I truly loved the banking and financial world, and I still do. I’ve even considered going back part-time while running my business at a smaller scale. Interestingly, the business has allowed me to continue using my background in banking in meaningful ways. For example, I now volunteer with a nonprofit organization, where I support the Donor Support Team. We assist donors with everything from small to large contributions, and I help support the team members under the oversight of our team lead.
My secular career was very important to me, and I enjoyed it. But despite achieving what I thought I wanted, I never felt fully satisfied, there was always a lingering sense of not belonging. Now, I feel more complete.
Of course, running a small business doesn’t provide the same steady income as a 9-to-5 job. But I wouldn’t trade it, especially the time I get to spend volunteering and giving back. That’s been the most fulfilling part of all.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.olentshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olentshop/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-barcia-78ba5915/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/olentshop
Image Credits
All images are from us, olent.
