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When we walked into the small studio kitchenette, we were met with a soothing aroma. It was a combination of citrus, flowers and coconut. It was subtle, not overpowering and in a way, comforting. Standing in the kitchen in front of a vat of melted wax and essential oils was Spencer Phillips, owner of Monster and Ghost Candles, a company he named after his two dogs. He says candle making is in his DNA.
“My father was a fragrance designer and he owned a company back in the 90’s,” Phillips said. “He sold incense on Venice Beach boardwalk, so it’s just been in my blood. It’s been around me since I was a young kid.”
It became his childhood hobby, and probably would have remained just a hobby had his father not convinced him to start his own candle and incense business during the COVID-19 shutdown. Phillips recalls his father’s pitch, “He was telling me you should try it out. You’ll do well with it. You have the knowledge and I’m here to help you.”
That is how Monster and Ghost was born. Now Phillips says his handmade candles and incense are sold in dozens of specialty shops across the United States, Canada and Europe. When it comes to what makes his product so popular, Phillips believes it’s the natural ingredients that are appealing to those with sensitivities to chemicals and the fact that he keeps his scents clean and fresh.
“I think that everyone deserves to burn a good candle, a good fragrance in their home so choosing something that works for both men and women is a priority for me,” Phillips said.
As Phillips prepares to launch a new line of ceramic holders for his candles and incense to compliment his fragrances he says he feels like living proof that if you do something you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.
“I think just growing up and being around it, it was I looked as being cool because my dad did it,” Phillips said. “I never thought I’d also own a fragrance business.”