Scentsy
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Consumer products |
| Founded | Salt Lake City, Utah[1] September 2003 |
| Founder(s) | Kara Egan[1][2] Colette Gunnell[1][2] |
| Headquarters | Meridian, Idaho, United States |
| Area served | United States Puerto Rico Guam Canada United Kingdom Ireland Germany |
| Key people | Orville Thompson, CEO,[1]Director, & Co-owner Heidi Thompson, President,[1][3]Director, & Co-owner Kara Egan, Co-founder & Director Colette Gunnell, Co-founder & Director |
| Products | Wick-less candles |
| Revenue | $178 million in 2009 ($190 million in current dollars). |
| Owner(s) | Orville Thompson[4] Heidi Thompson[4] |
| Employees | 424 employees 75,000+ consultants (as at September 1, 2010)[5] |
| Website | Scentsy.net |
Scentsy Inc. is a candle warmer company founded in 2004, and based in Meridian, Idaho. The company offers various types of candle warmers, or wick-less candles. By eliminating the flame, Scentsy claims that they are safer than regular candles. The intent of these candle warmers is to release highly-scented fragrances that are mixed into bars of wax, without creating the obvious fire risk associated with the use of normal candles. Scentsy markets over 80 of its own brand of scented waxes for use in its warmers. It also markets scented room sprays, "scent circles" for use in passenger vehicles, travel tins, scented hand sanitizers, and a line of stuffed animals called Scentsy Buddies, which can be scented by inserting a "Scent Pak".
Company history
Originally based in a Salt Lake City basement, Scentsy now operates in a 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m2) office facility.[1][2][5] Scentsy sells its products via a multi-level, direct selling structure, using the party plan model to spread awareness of the company.[6] Scentsy refers to its multi-level sales force as consultants. From May 2009 to January 2010, Scentsy's sales force grew from approximately 30,000[7] to over 75,000.[5] With this growth in consultants has come an 8,000 percent growth in sales revenue "to a little more than $178 million between 2006 and 2009 as a result" ($190 million in current dollars).[1]Inc., has labeled Scentsy as "America's fastest-growing consumer products company."[5]Inc. ranked Scentsy 19th overall in its annual "Inc. 500 | 5000".[5]
In December 2008, Scentsy launched a lawsuit against Performance Manufacturing, Inc., et al., for trademark infringement.[8] The case remains before the courts.
In 2009, Scentsy experienced a troublesome migration to new corporate software.[9] This gave rise to sales difficulties during the Christmas season[9] and "a negative spiral" developing in internet discussions."[9] In response, Scentsy held a number of web-based competitions using the company's online social networking presence, especially Facebook,[9] which resulted in increased sales.[9] For "its use of social media and emerging technologies", Scensty was awarded the Success Award from the Direct Selling Association in 2010."[9]
In 2012, Scentsy launched the new product line Velata. Velata represents the company's first venture into the fondue industry.
Two times each year, Scentsy and its charitable arm, Scentsy Family Foundation, select a charity to benefit from the sales of a particular product, usually designed to tie in with the charity selected.[3] The latest charity with which Scentsy has teamed up is the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. Scentsy donates all proceeds of the warmer to the foundation.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g “Meridian’s Scentsy Celebrates Tremendous Growth,” KTRV. October 28, 2010 (Updated November 10, 2010). (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ a b c “Scentsy Story” Scentsy.net (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ a b c “Scentsy Offers ‘Love, Life, Hope’ Decorative Warmer to Support National Breast Cancer Foundation,” Reuters.com October 19, 2010. (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ a b “Fast Facts about the company,” Scentsy.net (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ a b c d e “America’s Fastest-Growing Consumer Products Company,” Inc. September 1, 2010. (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ "Flameless Candles, Scented Candles : Buy Scentsy Candles".
- ^ Fong, Jennifer. “Interview with Scentsy: A Direct Sales Company Using Social Media Marketing Successfully,” Direct Sales & Social Media. May 26, 2009. (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
- ^ Scentsy, Inc., v. Performance Manufacturing, Inc, Rimports(USA), LLC, Jeffery W. Palmer and Mike Duff (Idaho District Court; Filed: December 2, 2008).
- ^ a b c d e f “DSA Honors Four MLM Companies with Industry Awards,” MLM.com October 28, 2010. (Retrieved 2010-11-11.)
