Today we’d like to introduce you to LayToya Carter.
Hi LayToya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’m the founder and creator of Escents of Hue, a home fragrance and self-care brand rooted in creativity, community, and intentional living. My journey started in Tallahassee, Florida, during a season where I was searching for both peace and purpose outside of my demanding career in public service. What began as making candles at home quickly became something much bigger than I imagined.
I’ve always loved that a scent has the power to transform a space, shift a mood, and create lasting memories. I started experimenting with soy wax candles and unique fragrance blends because I wanted to create products that made people feel something — comfort, nostalgia, joy, healing, and connection. Friends and family immediately gravitated toward what I was creating, and their encouragement pushed me to take the leap to start my business.
In 2020, I officially launched Escents of Hue from my home with a vision to build more than a candle company. I wanted to create an experience. As demand grew, so did the brand. What started with candles expanded into room sprays, body care, wax melts, diffusers, and interactive candle-making experiences. Eventually, with the support of my family, friends, and community, I was able to expand into a brick-and-mortar location where customers could not only shop, but gather, celebrate, and create together.
One of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been our “Wax & Relax” Candle Pouring Experience. What began as a small local class evolved into traveling workshops and community events that bring people together through creativity and self-care. We’ve hosted experiences for birthdays, women’s groups, colleges, corporate teams, churches, and community organizations, and seeing people connect through something as simple as candle-making has been incredibly fulfilling.
Personally, this journey has taught me resilience, faith, and the importance of staying aligned with your purpose even when the path isn’t easy. Entrepreneurship comes with challenges, sacrifices, and moments of uncertainty, but every obstacle strengthened my commitment to what I’m building. I’m proud that Escents of Hue has grown into a brand known not only for vibrant fragrances and quality products, but for the atmosphere and community we’ve created around it.
Today, Escents of Hue continues to evolve, but the mission remains the same: to create scents that turn everyday spaces into meaningful memories. Every product, class, and interaction is created with intention, and I’m grateful that something that started in my home has grown into a business that impacts people in such a personal way.
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?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I believe the challenges are what shaped both me and the business into what we are today. Like many entrepreneurs, I started Escents of Hue with passion and vision, but not unlimited resources. In the beginning, I was building the business while balancing a demanding full-time career, family responsibilities, and the everyday realities of life. There were long nights pouring candles after work or packaging orders, and moments where I had to learn every aspect of entrepreneurship on my own — marketing, production, branding, finances, customer service, and operations.
One of the biggest challenges was learning how to grow sustainably while still maintaining the quality and heart behind the brand. As demand increased, I had to figure out how to scale production, manage inventory, and expand without losing the personal touch that made customers connect with Escents of Hue in the first place. Transitioning from operating out of my home into a brick-and-mortar space was both exciting and overwhelming because it came with greater responsibility, expenses, and pressure.
Another challenge has been navigating entrepreneurship in a competitive industry. Sometimes you have to work twice as hard to gain visibility, access opportunities, or be taken seriously. There were moments of self-doubt, financial uncertainty, and setbacks that tested my faith and resilience. But every obstacle pushed me to become more resourceful, more disciplined, and more intentional about the direction of the business.
I’ve also learned that growth requires evolution. There were times when I had to pivot, rethink strategies, and adapt to changing customer needs and economic challenges. From managing rising material costs to learning how to market in a constantly changing digital landscape, entrepreneurship has required continuous learning and flexibility.
What kept me going was knowing that Escents of Hue was impacting people beyond just selling products. Customers would share stories about how our candles brought them comfort during difficult times, helped them create meaningful moments with loved ones, or gave them an outlet for relaxation and self-care through our candle-making experiences. Those moments reminded me that this business had purpose.
Looking back, I wouldn’t trade the challenges because they taught me perseverance, patience, leadership, and faith. The road hasn’t been perfect, but every struggle helped build the foundation for where Escents of Hue is today and where I believe it’s still going.
As you know, we’re big fans of Escents of Hue. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Escents of Hue is more than a candle company — it’s a lifestyle and self-care brand centered around creating meaningful experiences through scent, creativity, and connection. We specialize in handcrafted soy candles, home fragrance products, body care, and interactive candle-making experiences that encourage people to slow down, reset, and intentionally create moments of peace and joy in their everyday lives.
What makes our brand unique is the way we blend fragrance, color, storytelling, and experience together. Every product is thoughtfully created with high-quality ingredients and uniquely layered scent profiles that are designed to evoke emotion, nostalgia, comfort, and connection. Our collections range from vibrant seasonal fragrances and luxury-inspired blends to wellness-centered products that help create a calming atmosphere at home. In addition to our candles, we also offer room sprays, wax melts, diffusers, body care products, and custom gifting options for special occasions, corporate events, weddings, and celebrations.
One of the things we are most known for is our “Wax & Relax” Candle Pouring Experience. What started as a small local workshop has evolved into one of the most rewarding parts of the business. These experiences give people an opportunity to unplug, be creative, and connect with others in a fun and welcoming environment. We host in-store classes as well as traveling experiences for community organizations, colleges, private groups, celebrations, and corporate teams. It’s become a space where people come not just to make candles, but to create memories.
What truly sets Escents of Hue apart is the heart behind the brand. We’re intentional about creating products and experiences that feel personal and meaningful. Many customers tell us they don’t just remember the scent — they remember how the experience made them feel. That emotional connection is something I never take for granted.
I’m especially proud that Escents of Hue has grown from a home-based business into a recognized community-centered brand while still maintaining authenticity and quality. We’ve built a loyal customer base not through trends, but through genuine connection, consistency, and creating an atmosphere where people feel welcomed and valued. I’m also proud that the brand represents creativity, resilience, and entrepreneurship in a way that inspires others, especially women and aspiring business owners who may be afraid to start.
What I want readers to know most is that Escents of Hue was built with intention. Every candle, every fragrance blend, every class, and every interaction is rooted in the idea that scent has the power to transform a space and create meaningful memories. Whether someone purchases a product, attends a class, or simply follows our journey, I want them to feel inspired to create moments of peace, joy, and connection in their own lives.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I think entrepreneurship itself is a risk. The moment you decide to believe in an idea enough to invest your time, finances, energy, and heart into it — especially without guaranteed outcomes — you’re already taking a leap of faith. I wouldn’t necessarily describe myself as someone who takes reckless risks, but I do believe in taking intentional, purpose-driven risks when I see potential for growth, impact, and alignment with my vision.
One of the biggest risks I took was turning Escents of Hue from a home-based passion into a full business with a physical storefront and expanded experiences. There’s a level of comfort and security in operating small, but growth requires you to step beyond what feels safe. Expanding meant taking on greater financial responsibility, increased production demands, and the pressure of building a sustainable brand in a competitive market. There were definitely moments where the uncertainty felt intimidating, but I knew I couldn’t grow by staying in the same place.
Another major risk was investing into experiences and traveling candle-making events before fully knowing how large they could become. When I launched the “Wax & Relax” Candle Pouring Experience, I believed people wanted more than just products — they wanted connection, creativity, and memorable experiences. That belief pushed me to take the brand on the road and expand into community events, private parties, and workshops in different cities. It required investing time, resources, and trust into an idea that hadn’t fully proven itself yet, but it ended up becoming one of the most impactful parts of the business.
I’ve also learned that risk isn’t always financial. Sometimes the greatest risks are emotional and personal. Putting your creativity and vision out into the world makes you vulnerable to criticism, failure, and disappointment. There are moments in entrepreneurship where you question yourself, especially when things don’t move as quickly as you hoped. But I’ve learned that growth often lives on the other side of discomfort.
My perspective on risk is that it should be balanced with preparation, faith, and adaptability. I believe in doing the research, building a plan, and moving strategically, but I also believe there comes a point where you have to trust yourself enough to move forward even without having every answer. Some opportunities will never come with complete certainty.
Looking back, the risks I’ve taken helped shape Escents of Hue into what it is today. Every leap taught me something — whether it was about business, leadership, resilience, or myself. I’ve learned that calculated risks are often necessary if you want to evolve, and sometimes betting on yourself is the most important investment you can make.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.escentsofhue.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/escentsofhue
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/escentsofhue
