Envisage Candle and Bath Company: Turning Self-Care Into a Daily Practice

For Maria Richardson, Envisage Candle and Bath Company began with a simple realization: after years of focusing on everyone else, she needed to find her way back to herself.

The Montgomery County entrepreneur officially launched the business in 2024 after several years of developing the concept and refining her products. Today, she creates handcrafted candles, soaps, and bath products designed to encourage people, especially women, to slow down, recharge, and prioritize their own well-being.

"Part of my brand's purpose is to continue to push the message that you matter," Richardson said. "Sometimes we need reminders because we're constantly giving ourselves away to other people."

A Montgomery County resident since 2008, Richardson moved to the area from Prince George's County seeking new opportunities and strong schools for her family. Throughout her entrepreneurial journey, she has continued to work full-time in the legal industry, building a career that spans more than 25 years in records management, information governance, and compliance. During these years she was taking college courses, completing both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Business Administration through Strayer University.

The inspiration for Envisage Candle and Bath Company grew out of one of the most difficult periods of her life. Richardson's daughter, Carmella, is a childhood cancer survivor who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma. After multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Carmella was declared cancer-free.

Once the immediate crisis had passed, Richardson found herself facing a different challenge: rebuilding her own sense of peace and well-being after months of focusing entirely on her daughter's recovery.

One evening, she poured a glass of wine, lit a candle, and spent hours quietly reflecting.

"I realized that was where my journey of rebuilding myself began," she said. "I started telling myself that I was going to get back to my happiness, my joy, and my peace."

The experience helped shape both the products and the mission behind Envisage Candle and Bath Company.

"If this made me feel better, I knew other women could relate to the emotional connection as I had, and benefit from my personal experience as well," Richardson said. "I've talked with women who have experienced trauma or difficult situations, and sharing our stories has been therapeutic. I want the everyday woman to realize that she matters too, and that the joy of self-care is a personal commitment to herself.  It is not a fulfillment reserved for some, but for all, women.”

Today, Richardson handcrafts every product herself, producing candles, soaps, and bath bombs from her home-based operation. She designs her own labels, selects the ingredients, and personally oversees production.

"I like knowing exactly what's going into my products and what I expect to get out of them," she said.

Her products emphasize clean ingredients and avoid unnecessary additives or harsh chemicals, making it possible for her to answer customers' detailed questions directly and honestly. She leans into products that are gentle for people with allergy sensitivities, and is mindful of the environmental impacts of her production and packaging.

As demand grows, Richardson hopes to gradually scale the business while maintaining the quality and personal touch that are central to the brand.

She recently completed the Montgomery County Black Collective's AMBER program and says the accelerator program helped her better understand the financial side of entrepreneurship. "One of the biggest lessons was learning to track costs and be mindful about spending," she said. "More products don't necessarily mean more revenue."

"Upon graduation, every AMBER grad gets a one-year membership in the Maryland Black Chamber of Commerce where the learning never stops. Continuing to learn from other SMEs is a privilege most small business owners do not have. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to tap into the knowledge and expertise of colleagues who are here to support my entrepreneurial journey"

For now, Richardson intentionally maintains a focused product line that remains manageable alongside her full-time career. Looking ahead, she hopes to expand distribution, pursue government contracting opportunities, and eventually open a storefront of her own.

Among her goals is seeing Envisage Candle and Bath Company products carried by major retailers.

"One day, I'd love to walk into Macy's and see my candles and bath products sitting alongside other well-known brands," she said.

Richardson is already building community connections through a contract with the Montgomery County Department of Recreation, where she teaches candle-making classes. She is also exploring certification opportunities and hopes to collaborate with established brands that can help introduce Envisage Candle and Bath Company to new audiences.

Through it all, she remains focused on the message that inspired the business from the beginning.

"Do something for yourself," she said. "Don't feel guilty about it. Carve out that time. Those moments can make a world of difference."