MANY people enter the scented candle business because, if successful, the financial returns are lucrative. Nicole Landry had added reason when launching her Journey Of Atman line three years ago.

Landry, a Canadian of Jamaican heritage, survived an abusive marriage and thought her holistic training would be put to good use by manufacturing products that helped heal her physical and psychological scars.

Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Journey Of Atman has 17 candles in its catalogue. The company’s top sellers include Light, Love, Abundance, and Compassion and Respect, which Landry explained are geared toward people with a positive outlook.

“In creating my line, I was very intentional with every aspect and detail. It means a lot to me to have a brand that not only inspires positive outcomes but also causes the least amount of harm along the way. All of our candles are made with 100 per cent vegan soy wax and use natural essential oils,” she said. “They are also both toxin-free and cruelty-free, which I take great pride in. Although I am in an industry where most candle companies add parabens and phthalates to extend the burn life of their candles, it means more to me to know that my customers are breathing in clean air.”

The Calgary-born Landry is a qualified nurse who worked in the medical sector for nearly 20 years. She did some holistic training in Canada, which was enhanced by several certified courses in the United States.

Journey Of Atman’s line is complemented by Sage, Lavender and Eucalyptus smudge/wands, which are also popular aromatherapy brands. E-commerce and remote services account for most of the company’s sales.

Wellness is something Nicole Landry yearned for after years of being in a turbulent relationship.

“My advice to anyone in that situation would be to go inward and conquer your tangible fears. Preventing your intangible fear from becoming a coupon for your life. I know for me there were a lot of external fears that played heavily on my inner dialogue and daily decisions. The fear of what others would think. The fear around accepting the ending. The fear of feeling like a failure with the label of ‘divorced’. The fear of being further stigmatised. The fear of having to start over with nothing, when I felt like nothing inside,” Landry said. “Many externally-created and intangible fears became my excuses to stay, and in staying they nearly cost me my life.”