IT was a hobby which spiralled out of control! 

Stephanie Harwood's West End business Scentnifique is going from strength to strength nearly four years after it was launched. 

The firm, specialising in wax melts and home fragrances, was set up in 2019, shortly after the birth of daughter Ella.

But, it was when the pandemic hit that it started taking on a life of its own.

READ MORE: Revamped No.1 Beauty Studio in Eastleigh to offer mini pamper parties

Stephanie told the Daily Echo: "It was only supposed to be a hobby, but spiralled out of control!

"We went from doing events and selling online to setting up a website which some days saw 30 orders coming in, not bad for a 4-month-old business!

"I was one of the fortunate ones. Covid actually really benefited my business and saw it grow massively with online sales.

"I was lucky to have some good friends furloughed, which was a big help.

"People were at home more, and wanted to have a beautiful smelling home and it was a pleasure to help them do that."

Daily Echo:

Scentnifique has since won four small business awards, enjoyed two pop-up shops in Southampton's John Lewis store, had another pop-up at the Sook Space Store in Westquay and attended hundreds of events. 

The range includes more than 200 different scents, including raspberry ripple, passionfruit martini, tutti frutti and toasted marshmallow.

Free samples are offered with every order and the products are good value for money, super strong and long-lasting with a £4 snap bar lasting well over 50 hours.

Daily Echo:

The plan in 2023 is to attend even more events with the long-term goal to eventually open a Scentnifique shop.

Ella, now aged three and a half, is a willing apprentice who loves helping mummy out and hopes to take over the business one day! 

  • Scentnifique is our trader of the week. We love supporting small independent Hampshire businesses. If you'd like us to feature yours, click on the link below, visit dailyecho.co.uk/trader or email lorelei.reddin@dailyecho.co.uk

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