7 Questions with A Couple featuring LaToya Johnson

Founder and owner, MS Scents Candle Co.

Dan and I are thrilled that LaToya Johnson agreed to share her valuable insights, wisdom and perspective to our 7 Questions with A Couple series. She is the dynamic owner of MS Scents Candle Co. who is inspiring us to follow through in achieving our goals and realizing our dreams.

After all, I still remember those scary, unsettled days as I tried to regain my direction in life when I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis almost 25 years ago. It was tough. Latoya had similar feelings and was full of questions and confusion. She needed to take back her life after her MS diagnosis.

Check out this conversation to learn how LaToya did this and is empowering other people to do the same.

1.     How did you develop a passion for candle making? Did you consider it a hobby or a profession? 

Growing up I’ve always loved fragrances and candles, as a kid I would ask my dad to buy me candles from the dollar store. It went from my teens to adulthood. I still loved candles, and I would spend a lot of money on them. In 2016, I thought what if I make my own candles instead of buying them? It started with one candle-making kit, and I was so excited. Originally it was a hobby for me making them when I wanted new candles, versus going to Bath & Body Works to buy them; however, I still would just buy them from anywhere T.J.Maxx too. About a year later, candle making fizzled out for me because I couldn’t find the time to do it as much as I wanted.

2.     Take us back to when you were diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2018. What do you remember most about the days and weeks after hearing the words, “You have MS.”

It was August 2018. I woke up one morning unable to feel the left side of my face. I went to the ER and luckily had a physician who was very familiar with autoimmune diseases. After looking at my charts, he walked in and said, “Ms. Johnson, I hear you’re having issues with your autoimmune disease, is it MS or Lupus?” I said immediately, “Neither!!” He said, “Let’s jump to a MRI. That will help me see what’s happening.”

That MRI showed three active lesions on my brain. He said, “It looks like you have MS, but I recommend I find a Neurologist to officially diagnose you. … What you’re experiencing right now is Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN) – a common symptom of MS.” I was lost, scared and angry in that moment. I Googled what MS was, because all I knew at that time was people who had it were unable to walk. I didn’t know what to expect based on what I saw. I immediately felt it was a death sentence, and it took me nearly a year to change my mindset to a positive way of thinking about having MS. My official diagnosis in November of 2018 completely depressed me. From August through November of 2018 I had flare up, after flare up. 

3.     At what point did you revisit your passion for candle making, and when did it first cross your mind that you could turn this into something big?

2020 at the start of the pandemic, I decided to pick my hobby back up being as though I was home so much. I noticed how it made me feel instantly. It took my mind off my MS, I noticed it was a way of coping. Blending scents and aromatherapy became something I spent time learning, and once I saw how my candles made me feel, I knew it was more than a hobby; I had to share with others. 2020 I was determined to start a business that gave back to MS. After a few brainstorming, sessions with myself I knew MS Scents Candle Co was it.

4.     Creating a business from the ground up is a huge undertaking! What gave you the confidence to say, “Yes. This is something I can do,” and did you ever envision this is where it would be in 2022, less than four years after you were diagnosed?

I was really nervous at first. I had thoughts of my business. Would it be accepted by others? Would it be successful? Would others see my vision and want to help? So many questions went through my mind about why it wouldn’t work. After about a year of being afraid to launch, literally right after my first round of Lemtrada, March 2021, I said now is the time. I can’t be scared, I just have to do it!

Because I was so passionate about it, I knew if I could get one supporter, I could get five, and after five, maybe 10 and so on. I knew very early on that my business would give back to MS all the time, not one item or during one period, but 100% of the time we are donating to help others with MS. Thus far, MS Scents Candle Co. has shipped over 200 orders in less than a year. May 30, 2021, World MS Day, was the official launch – that’s so crazy to me. However, I’m grateful for my supporters and I’m beyond proud of what I’ve accomplished. Being diagnosed with MS is a part of my journey. I’ve changed so much for the better, because of MS, I know there is so much more to come for MS Scents Candle Co, more giving back, more awareness, more connection building. 

5.     How are the candles produced, and do you have a hand in packaging everything that gets shipped?

I’m the definition of a small business. While I may be small, I know I’m mighty! EVERYTHING is done by me. I buy all the materials and supplies to make the candles; I even blend some of the scents myself like Uplift and Shut Eye. I use coconut apricot wax (natural and vegan), and non-toxic and phthalate free, clean fragrance oils. I melt down the wax and combine the oils at the perfect percentage and pour the candles. I allow them to cure for 2 weeks. Once cured, I sanitize and label everything. I do photos, the website, the marketing, as well as the packaging and shipping. My favorite parts of the entire process is the candle-making and the packaging. The packaging – because I see my hard work on its way to its new owner to be enjoyed. The candle-making – because it truly relaxes me. 

6.     Where do you find the energy to do all of this and who/what inspires you to keep moving forward?

Wow, where do I start? I’m what they call a busybody, a work-a-holic. I’m a Capricorn! I’m also a single mom to an amazing 18-year-old. I work full time, and run my business full time, I’m the founder and 100% owner of MS Scents Candle Co. I ask myself how all the time?! Having MS fatigue hits me often. Those days I allow myself to rest. I thrive off of helping others and giving back – I’ve always loved helping others. Knowing that 10% of each sale is donated to MS Focus to help fund some of their grants and programs from assistive technology program to their Brighter Tomorrow Grant. I literally had a full-circle moment last year when I was vending at an event and met someone who was a recipient of a MS Focus Grant. She said it was all possible “… because of people like you and your companies that give back!”  

7.     What do you consider is a good day in the life of LaToya Johnson?

A good day for me is a day I wake up feeling great, then read my devotional and Bible. Take a nice walk, have coffee, talk to my mom and dad. Cook with my son, and hear him laugh about how bad my keto food tastes. Talk to my friends/support system on the phone and FaceTime. Watching and talking to my plants, and course candle-making. Making myself a nice smelling candle is the perfect ending to a good day in my life.