My Story

Hi, I’m Louise, founder of Once Upon a Scent.

But this story didn’t start in 2025.

It started in 2022.

That was the first time I tried to build this dream. I had the name, the ideas, the spark. But life had other plans. I was lucky enough to become pregnant and lovingly put the idea of my business to bed. Motherhood came first, and the dream waited quietly in the background.

Then in 2025, something unexpected happened.

I discovered TikTok. More specifically, BookTok.

And it changed my life.

What started as scrolling turned into connection. I found my people, readers who feel books deeply. I made best friends I cherish. I became friends with authors I admired and I built a supportive, warm community that felt like home.

Through immersive reading, the playlists, the aesthetics, the fan art, I had a thought.

What if we could take it even further?

What if readers could smell the worlds they imagined?
The forests.
The libraries.
The main characters.
The heartbreak.
The magic.

That idea lit something in me.

Later that same year, I was made redundant.

Instead of panicking, I jumped.

I grasped the opportunity with both hands, dived into the deep end, and committed to building what I had once paused. I have genuinely never worked so hard in my life. Late nights, early mornings, learning curves, self-doubt, resilience. All of it.

But I am in love with it.

There is nothing like standing at a market stall, watching someone pick up a melt, breathe it in, and say, “Oh my gosh, that reminds me of…”

I've said it before and I'll say it again, scent holds memory! It can spark something from your childhood, make you think of a loved one, or even remind you of your favourite character from a book. That personal connection is at the heart of what I create.  

Somewhere along the way, I found my niche creating custom wax melts for indie authors. Scents for PR boxes, launches, book mail, reader gifts. Bringing fictional worlds into real life in a completely new way.

But it didn’t stop there.

I realised these personalised experiences weren’t just for authors. They’re for weddings, events, corporate gifting, special occasions. Anyone who wants to bottle a moment and turn it into something unforgettable.

The possibilities truly are endless.

My favourite part is experimenting, pushing boundaries, learning new techniques, obsessing over the tiny details, and trying to exceed expectations every single time.

Running a business while navigating motherhood is not easy. Some days are chaotic. Some days are fantastic. But I am determined. I am proud. And I am building something that feels aligned with who I am at my core.

Once Upon a Scent isn’t just a business.

It’s my second chance.
It’s my creative fire.
It’s proof that sometimes dreams pause, they don’t disappear.

And this story is only just beginning.

Louise 🤍