SHOLA AGUNBIADE
“Our vision is to bring awareness to the importance of self-care and self-love while also infusing philanthropy through our giveback efforts. ”
— SHOLA AGUNBIADE, FOUNDER & OWNER OF DABIRA AROMA
Shola and I met when we worked together at a major retailer in NYC almost 10 years ago. Beyond her limitless talent, Shola’s work ethic and unselfish nature makes her someone to admire by all. Once you smell one of her scented products you’ll immediately realize the artful approach she takes to building a truly unique blend of fragrances with the power to lift your mood. In our collaboration, Shola used the same all natural ingredients she uses for her own line of candles Dabira Aroma, while using our curated assortment of thrifted dishes as vessels for the candles themselves. These candles are truly a luxe take on an eco-friendly gift, arriving in beautiful recycled and plastic-free packaging.
Shop Zest Dressed X Dabira Aroma THRIFTED DISH CANDLES here, and I hope you enjoy reading more about Shola’s journey, process and reflections as a small business owner below!
How did you start making candles?
I started making candles a few years ago. I wanted to give a gift to friends and coworkers without having to spend a ton of money. I wanted something thoughtful and personal. I ended up on Pinterest, and one of the options was personal candles. I started to watch a ton of youtube videos and ordered supplies. After a few trials and errors, the candles were perfect, and everyone loved and even commented I should start a side hustle. I didn't pay it any mind until I moved to California, and I was really looking to start a business, and I thought of a few different ideas. I remembered I made candles and wanted to pick that back up. I tested a ton of different waxes and fragrances and ended up perfecting a few scents before I launched Dabira Aroma.
I have always been passionate about giving back and volunteering, so I knew I wanted a part of my business to give back. I have always wanted to do more for my home country and decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity in Nigeria.
Where do you get the inspiration for your gorgeous scents?
All of the scents are based on personal experiences, some from where I have traveled to, such as Casablanca. When I visited Morocco, I loved how they infused many dishes with fruit, so I knew I had to duplicate that in a scent. Lekki Beach is also based on a beach in Nigeria. I pull from scents I love and tap into my customers to hear what scents they are loving, and I use that to make our fragrance blends.
Can you speak to what it’s like to have a small business and balancing it with your full time job?
It's hard! I work a 9-5 and then take a little break and put hours in for Dabira Aroma. I usually break up my week either making production stock, fulfilling orders and emails/social media/business needs. I also have an off day where I don't do anything to balance out my personal life, a full-time job, and business. I hope to get some help in the future, but my boyfriend helps me pack up orders and drop them at the post office, which saves me some time!
How do you practice self-care, especially through this pandemic?
I love my self-care Sunday routine, and I stick to it, for the most part, every week. I love taking baths, and that is actually how the self-care kit came about. I am sharing my routine with the Dabira tribe because I am obsessed with it.
I use our bath bomb and bubble bath to run a relaxing bath. I light my Dabira Aroma candle and hit shuffle on the playlist. Once I am done with the bath I use, our Oyin Body Butter, which is amazing! It is one of the best things I can do to really reset and refocus me for the new week ahead.
What is your mission with Dabira Aroma?
Dabira Aroma is a black woman-owned all-natural apothecary brand that provides hand-poured candles and body products for busy millennial women. Our vision is to bring awareness to the importance of self-care and self-love while also infusing philanthropy through our giveback efforts. When you make a purchase through Dabira Aroma, 5% of each purchase is donated to charity. I created my company in June 2019 in Oakland, CA. The launch of Dabira Aroma was inspired by growing up in a small business household and my love for candles. I created Dabira Aroma to bring natural luxury home goods that won’t break the bank and help people in need.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I get inspiration from everyone, but I would have to say, my parents. My Dad was the one who inspired me to start my own business. He is an accountant who has his own business and has told us we need to make sure we have something for ourselves and our own accolades. I am inspired but how hard working he is, and he has been such a help with me running my business also great to have an accountant because I have made a few mistakes trying to set this business up! My mom helped me come up with the name. She was my personal translator. I wanted to pick a name close to my culture as well, so I ended up with Dabira, the Yoruba word for serenity and God Does Wonder. This was just the perfect name, and I'm happy she helped me select this.
Any projects or plans for the future of Dabira Aroma you want to share?
We just launched Dabira Body, which I am so excited about. I love body care, so our first product was Body Butters. These butter are using all-natural high-end ingredients that really absorb into the skin and will keep you moisturized all day long! You get all the benefits without that greasy feeling. We introduced our butter in our Self Care kits, which is the perfect gift for the holiday!
