Danielle Kidd-Shack, Founder of Retreat Aroma: Unwind in Luxury Candles- Presenting the Signature Wax Melt Bar for Your Soiree
Retreat Aroma is a modern home fragrance brand redefining rest as a ritual. Founded by Danielle Kidd-Shack, the Los Angeles–based brand was born from a deeply personal journey of healing and self-discovery. After years of managing chronic illness and navigating the pressures of a demanding career, Danielle turned to candle-making as a form of therapy. What began as a soothing creative outlet soon evolved into a purpose-driven business.
Today, Retreat Aroma offers a curated line of non-toxic coconut soy candles, wax melts, and room sprays, designed with intention and rooted in clean, sustainable ingredients. The brand’s signature Wax Melt Bar, a scent-blending experience featured at pop-ups and private events adds an interactive element that invites customers to engage all their senses.
Blending minimalist design with cozy, comforting fragrance profiles, Retreat Aroma stands out for its warmth, authenticity, and focus on mindful living. More than just a product line, it’s an invitation to slow down and return to yourself one scent at a time.
“From our signature wax melts to gift sets and room sprays, every product is made to spark intention and invite calm. You deserve more than just a break; you deserve a retreat.”- Danielle Kidd-Shack
How did your journey into candle making begin?
My journey into candle making began during a deeply personal season of healing. My husband gifted me a candle-making kit, and what started as a simple hobby quickly became a form of therapy. As someone living with sickle cell anemia, I found comfort in the calming, intentional process of blending fragrances and creating something beautiful with my hands. What began as a personal ritual naturally evolved into Retreat Aroma, a brand devoted to offering that same sense of calm and intentionality to others.
Blending minimalist design with cozy, Retreat Aroma is set to be a household name. Take us through your luxury collections.
At Retreat Aroma, we’ve thoughtfully curated several collections designed to create serene, elevated experiences while staying true to our minimalist aesthetic:
- Candle Collection: Showcasing some of our signature fragrances, these clean-burning, non-toxic candles are crafted to transform any space into a warm and inviting retreat.
- Wax Melt Collection: Offering a variety of curated experiences:
- The Retreat Edit: A journey through comfort, calm, and effortless luxury, featuring signature scents designed to soothe, ground, and inspire.
- Naked Light: A serene collection of calming, clean fragrances that embody quiet luxury.
- Smoke & Stone: Grounded, bold, and alluring, this collection features rich, resinous, smoky aromas that invite warmth, reflection, and mystique.
- The Collection: A full sensory escape featuring melts in a single signature scent for a fully immersive experience.
- Room Spray Collection: A modern indulgence for the senses, our Room Spray offers an effortless way to transform any space. Infused with clean fragrance oils and natural ingredients, each fine mist leaves a subtle, sophisticated trail of scent whether you seek to uplift your morning, create a calming retreat, or refresh the atmosphere before guests arrive. It’s luxury made simple, designed to elevate the everyday.
Each collection reflects our commitment to clean ingredients, refined simplicity, and the creation of deeply personal retreat moments.
Luxury Candle Trio
Celebrate love, joy, and a little indulgence with our best-selling luxury candle set—an exclusive trio curated to awaken the senses and elevate your space. Whether you’re gifting someone special or treating yourself, this collection was designed to make every burn feel intentional and memorable. Includes luxury scents, Morocco, Cashmere, and Romanticize.
What makes Retreat Aroma unique?
Retreat Aroma was born from my personal need for a place of calm and healing—a retreat, both physically and emotionally. I wanted to create products that offer that same sense of peace to others. Our fragrances are more than just scents; they’re invitations to pause and be present.
Luxury Tin Collection “Romanticize” is a refined interpretation of cotton candy sweetness. Strawberries, raspberries, and black currants add fruity tones to this sugary smell, which is grounded by tonka, vanilla, and a smidge of mild musk in the base notes.
Your Signature Wax Melt Bar has been increasingly popular with markets and private events. What makes it an unforgettable experience?
The Wax Melt Bar offers a hands-on, interactive experience where guests have the opportunity to create their very own custom wax melt box. It’s not just about the final product, it’s about the creative process, the sensory exploration, and the personal connection guests make as they experiment with different fragrances and combinations.
For private events, we elevate the experience with beautifully curated displays, customized labels, and tailored scent menus. Whether it’s a bridal shower, corporate gathering, or a boutique market, the Wax Melt Bar transforms each event into a luxurious and memorable sensory experience that guests truly enjoy.
What are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of building a brand that is deeply authentic to my personal journey. Retreat Aroma represents resilience, creativity, and intentional living. Seeing how our products bring comfort, joy, and beauty into our customers’ lives is incredibly fulfilling. I’m also proud of our commitment to clean, sustainable ingredients and the care we put into every detail, from fragrance development to packaging.
We noticed that you offer a candle making kit. Tell us about it.
Our Candle Making Kit allows customers to experience the joy of candle making at home. It includes everything needed: our signature coconut soy wax blend, clean fragrance oils, eco-friendly wicks, and simple, step-by-step instructions. Whether for a fun DIY activity, a thoughtful gift, or a moment of self-care, the kit empowers anyone to create their own luxury candle with the same clean ingredients and craftsmanship Retreat Aroma is known for.
What have been the greatest lessons that you have learned as an entrepreneur?
Patience has been one of the greatest lessons. Growth takes time, and it’s easy to get caught up comparing yourself to others. Staying focused on my own path, listening to my customers, and being adaptable has been crucial. I’ve also learned the importance of building a supportive community. Having people who genuinely believe in your vision makes the challenges feel lighter and the wins even sweeter.
What is your vision for 2025?
2025 is an exciting year of growth for Retreat Aroma. We’re developing new fragrance collections inspired by nature’s richness, warm, earthy blends with a refined edge. I’m also exploring collaborations with wellness brands, boutique hotels, and curated retail spaces to bring Retreat Aroma into new environments. Expanding the Wax Melt Bar experience for larger markets and exclusive private events is a key part of our vision, as well as deepening our connection with our community through new experiences and limited-edition launches.
