Scentsy is one of those companies that has been buzzing louder and louder each year. In fact, Between March 2020 and March 2021, their earnings reached $1 billion dollars for the first time in their company history. So what’s all the buzz about?
Scentsy company has a return and replacement rate below 1%, which is unprecedented. All of their products meet production safety standards, and you won’t find harmful or toxic ingredients in anything that they make. Scentsy wax melts are safe to warm up in your home. With more than 80 fragrances to choose from in seven scent families, there is a scent for everyone.
Read on to learn more about this company culture, its products, and whether buying Scentsy wax melts would be the best choice for you.
All About Scentsy
Originally founded in 2003 by relatives, Kara Egan and Colette Gunnell, Scentsy was a small wickless candle company based out of Salt Lake City, Utah, in the United States.
A year later, in 2004, Orville Thompson and his wife Heidi purchased Scentsy from the sisters-in-law and transformed it into a private multi-level marketing company.
From humble beginnings in a 40-foot shipping container situated on the same grounds as their family’s small sheep farm, the company’s headquarters is now on 73 acres of land in Meridian, Idaho.
Their 68,000 square foot campus is closely connected to their manufacturing and distribution center. More expansion plans are underway.
Scentsy has grown to over 1,000 employees and is making its mark in the international home and personal fragrance market. Growth into Canada unfolded in 2009. In 2011, they swam into international waters upon expanding into the United Kingdom and Germany.
In total, they sell in twelve markets:
- Australia
- Austria
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Mexico
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Spain
- United Kingdom
- United States
Building out beyond the UK is also on their agenda. As a multi-level marketing (MLM) company, it’s estimated that they have over 110,000 representatives worldwide.
Since 2010, the company has been a top-ranking private Idaho business, this year, they made No. 9. Out of the twelve years that they’ve made the list, they were one of the top 15 companies in nine of those years.
The Scentsy Business Model
Scentsy is committed to leading the direct-sales industry with high-quality products that help build community through direct connection with family-centered independent consultants.
And this mission seems to be paying off. Their year-one revenue was $140,000, now they are a billion dollar company.
Direct-Selling or Multi-Level Marketing?
I’m not sure if this is unique to Scentsy or not, but they seem to be distancing themselves from the term, multi-level marketing, and instead referring to themselves as a direct-sales company.
What’s interesting, though, is that their independent consultants earn more income when they build out a team. Team building is a hallmark feature of multi-level-marketing businesses. In this 2020 income disclosure statement for Scentsy’s United States consultants, earnings varied widely. Commission rates range between 20% and 36%.
For consultants who sold Scentsy products throughout 2020, average commissions were $2,091 with the lowest annual commission being $121, the highest, $1,282,079.
For those who started in the company sometime in 2020 or only sold for a portion of the year, average commissions were $452 – the lowest being $0, the highest, $34,933.
Combining the two groups, average yearly commissions total $1,677.
According to the Direct Selling Association, direct selling can be divided into two models:
- Single-level marketing – buying products from a company like Scentsy, and selling those items directly to customers.
- Multi-level marketing – the single-level marketing approach plus developing a team of independent consultants, and then earning commissions from team members’ sales.
So based on these explanations, Scentsy is a direct selling company but MLM is part of their business model as well since you have to join a team in order to become a consultant.
Consultants either have to host a lot of events, make lots of customer connections, or build a large team to earn a livable commission if their goal is to build a business with Scentsy.
Here’s what it means to be an Independent Consultant in Scentsy’s words:
“As an Independent Scentsy Consultant, you are an independent business owner authorized to sell Scentsy products for a commission. You have the freedom to control when and where you work your business. You can increase your commission by selling more products and building a team to earn bonuses on products sold by your team members.”
Scentsy website
Independent Consultant Support
The notion of being your own boss is an attractive business model because you can work from any location and startup costs are fairly low.
With community-building at the heart of their company values, you have to connect with an existing consultant in order to join Scentsy and begin selling their products.
All U.S. residents except for North Dakotans also have to purchase a starter kit from a Consultant Sponsor aka Independent Consultant. Starter kit costs vary by region. As of January 2022, a resident of Illinois would pay $99.
The company wants consultants to feel like part of the Scentsy family from the very start.
“We cooperate to achieve together instead of competing to determine who is best.”
Dan Orchard, Scentsy President & Interim CEO, Idaho Statesman interview, p. 50
Scentsy also supports consultants through large-scale business agreements. By signing with licensing partners, like Disney, Pixar, NHL, NFL, Marvel, and others, consultants are equipped to connect with potential customers who identify with these teams and organizations. In turn, their customer base has the potential to grow exponentially.
Pre-pandemic, consultants largely sold Scentsy products through the company’s party-plan model. But consultants were forced to shift their business models to the digital space. The fact that more people were at home combined with the company’s community foundation and the fact that there weren’t any retail stores, Scentsy consultants made the pivot and fared pretty well in 2020.
It used to be that a person could only purchase Scentsy products through an Independent Consultant. Now it’s possible to place orders directly on the Scentsy website without going through a consultant. You can also find some Scentsy products through sites like Amazon.
Scentsy Products
By now you know that Scentsy sells fragrance goods for every part of your life. Beyond their tried and true wax warmers and wax bars, additional home fragrance options include:
- Oil diffusers
- Air Purifiers
- Fan diffusers
- Scentsy pods
- Fragrance flowers
- Room sprays
- Scent circles
- Sachets
Laundry and cleaning options include:
- Laundry liquid
- Dryer disks
- Fabric softener
- Fabric spray
- Washer whiffs
- Concentrated cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Counter cleaner
- Dish soap
Family life products include:
- Body cream
- Body wash
- Fragrance mist
- Hand cream
- Hand soap
- Bath salts
- Sugar scrubs
- Plush dolls and animals for children
- Pet shampoo
- Pet detangler
- Dog deodorizing spray
And their licensed collections are a combination of home fragrance and family life products.
Fun fact: Last summer Scentsy was named the official home fragrance of Disney World.
More Interesting Facts About Scentsy
I think I should make mention of Scentsy’s humanitarian efforts.
As a demonstration of Scentsy’s stewardship and heart, the company has donated $14.3 million dollars to over 175 charities as of March 2021.
Nonprofits like Mental Health America, Canadian Mental Health Association, Habitat for Humanity, and the National Breast Cancer Foundation receive donations from the countries in which the funds were raised.
There’s a charitable cause product for sale each catalog season. Funds are distributed to multiple organizations that focus on family, children, and building community.
Beyond charitable contributions, they’ve partnered with the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, which is helping them build an education center. They’ve also partnered with the Women & Children’s Alliance to combat domestic violence and offer support services for survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Even now, Scentsy’s Co-CEOs have taken a leave of absence from Scentsy in order to serve on a three-year mission trip in England.
About Scentsy Wax Melt Products
Scentsy would not exist were it not for their wax warmers and wax bars. This was the product they purchased back in 2003.
The company pledges to only use safe, non-toxic ingredients in all of their products.
Their wax and fragrance oils are free from parabens, nut oils, or mineral oils. You also won’t find any formaldehyde, gluten, egg, lead, or BPA chemical compounds on their ingredients list.
In order to ensure that they create safe products for their customers, Scentsy fragrance oils meet or exceed regulatory practice guidelines that are set by the Environmental Protection Agency, International Fragrance Association, California Air Resources Board, and the European Union’s REACH organization.
Scentsy develops fragrances that help families feel connected as they create new memories and enjoy each other’s company. But even singles can fill their home with warmth and delicious fragrance without the need to light a candle or incense stick.
Scentsy wax warmers are electric decorative objects that heat up Scentsy wax melts with an internal light bulb or other warming device. Quality product development is at the forefront of each detailed design.
Over 230,000 Scentsy products are made each day from their manufacturing facility in Meridian, Idaho. Distribution centers are located in Idaho, Texas, Kentucky, Mexico, Australia, and the Netherlands.
My Top 7 Scentsy Wax Melt Products
With the recent shift to online sales, you can find more and more Scentsy products on platforms like Amazon. The benefit of ordering from Amazon is that you can find deals and shipping is free for Prime members.
All Scentsy wax bars are made from high-quality paraffin wax, fragrance oils, essential oils, and dyes. Each bar weighs total of 2.6 oz (74 g) and can be broken into eight sections.
You can warm each cube for 15 hours or more before the fragrance begins to fade. So each bar can last for 120 hours or more.
Here are some of the stand-out Scentsy products that I found:
1. Scentsy Etched Core Wax Warmer
This textured porcelain warmer glows when lit. In addition to the grooves, there are small holes on the surface that allow light to peek through.
It uses a 25-watt light bulb and is 6 inches in diameter.
Pros
- Blends well with various types of decor
- Neutral color
- Holds multiple wax cubes
- Well-made
- Uses low wattage
Cons
- It’s porcelain, so be careful around children or pets
2. Scentsy Chasing Fireflies Mason Jar Wax Warmer
A nostalgic light blue mason jar with the words, “Remember to stop & chase the fireflies” in script. It’s part of a quote from Co-CEO, Heidi Thompson during their 2014 Scentsy Family Reunion. Here’s the full quote:
“Shine your light and illuminate your life, your heart and your dreams. Recapture a childlike sense of wonder and adventure — and always remember to stop and chase the fireflies.”
This warmer is reminiscent of late summer nights running through tall grass in an effort to grab hold of those magical insects. Little fireflies on the outer side of the jar appear to glow once it’s plugged in.
7-inch diameter.
Pros
- Nice and sturdy
- Lovely design and message
- Full-sized to hold multiple cubes
Cons
- The color may not match your decor
3. 6-Pack Sample of Scentsy Wax Bars
- To remove wax from warmer dump hot and wipe out with a paper towel.
This set is especially useful for those who may have never experienced Scentsy wax bars before. You’ll receive a sample of six different scents for the price of five.
If you already love the brand, then you’ll likely be pleased to receive this hand-picked lot of fragrances.
Pros
- Sample mystery scents
- Over 700 hours of fragrance
- High quality wax
- Nice introduction to the brand
Cons
- You may not like all of the fragrances
4. Set of 4 Scentsy Wax Bars
Four different fragrances are included with this set of bars:
- Black Raspberry Vanilla
- Baked Apple Pie
- Luna
- Coconut Lemongrass
These are some of the most popular Scentsy fragrances that are sold each year. With this set, you get to sample some of their best scents.
Pros
- You can sample four different scents
- You can even combine some of the bars to make your own scents
- Over 400 hours of fragrance
Cons
- You may not like one or more of the fragrances
5. Set of 3 Luna Scentsy Wax Bars
No products found.
Luna is a fragrant floral, berry, and wood combination. You’ll smell freesia, jasmine, and sweet pea flowers along with fresh berries and sandalwood – just like a Luna moth floating through the air under moonlight.
Pros
- Light but complex fragrance
- Three sets of bars
- Over 300 hours of warming time
Cons
- You may not like the scent
No products found.
6. Sugar Cookie Scentsy Wax Bars, Set of 3
No products found.
Like a fresh batch of sugar cookies, your home will be filled with the scent of vanilla, sugar, and butter. Try to avoid going on a baking frenzy.
Pros
- Three sets of bars
- Over 300 hours of warming time
- Universal fragrance that most people love
Cons
- Some may find the scent too sweet
No products found.
7. Scentsy Vanilla Bean Buttercream Wax Bars, Set of 3
Sugar, butter, and vanilla will fill the air when you warm this set of wax bars. It’ll cause you to want to bake cupcakes and then whip up your own buttercream frosting.
Pros
- Warm, delicious fragrance
- Long-lasting scent
- Strong throw
- Over 300 hours of warming time
Cons
- Some may find the scent too sweet
Customer Opinions About Scentsy Wax Melts
Since Scentsy’s wax melts are of high quality, customers mostly seem to have positive things to say.
What Customers Like About Scentsy Wax Melts & Warmers
- Wax melts are worth every penny. The scents are long-lasting and there are lots of fragrance options.
- Their fragrance bars last longer than most other company’s wax melts.
- “Bring Back My Bar” is a popular company promotion where customers get to vote on which scents they’d like to see returned for a limited time. Customers love this voting process and feeling heard by the company.
- The warmers burn at a low temperature, which makes them safe to operate around children and pets. They won’t be harmed if they accidentally bump into the warmer.
- Customers who can’t burn candles or simply dislike using them find that they can fragrance their homes with Scentsy wax cubes and experience intense fragrance similar to the best candles out there. Your entire home is filled with fragrance.
What Customers Dislike About Scentsy Wax Melts
- At times it seems that customers might receive a bad batch that doesn’t smell as strong.
Final Thoughts
Scentsy wax melts smell wonderful and have a strong throw. They are a viable option for those who prefer not to light candles or burn incense. Or, they can simply add to your home fragrance rotation.
If you are new to using Scentsy products, start out with one of their wax warmers, like the full-size Etched Core warmer. For a wax melt fragrance, I would suggest this 6-pack sampler to get you started.
If you already own a Scentsy wax warmer and are looking to try a new scent, I would suggest the floral and woodsy Luna fragrance. But as always, the choice is up to you!
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