Today we’d like to introduce you to Danashia Bentley.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve always been a creative person. In high school, I was the girl doing theatrical makeup for every play. Later, I became a master hair colorist, mixing formulas, painting hair, creating transformations. Creativity was just… part of who I was.
Then Covid happened, and life flipped upside down. My career paused, the world shut down, and at the same time I made the choice to stay home with my two toddlers, who are both nonverbal and autistic. We have four kids total, so trust me our house is never quiet lol. It’s beautiful, but it’s busy in a way only parents of neurodivergent kids truly understand.
I loved being home with them. I loved watching all the little moments I used to miss — new sounds, new gestures, tiny victories that felt huge. But somewhere in the middle of all that love, I started losing myself. Without a creative outlet, the depression hit hard. I felt like I was pouring into everyone except me.
One day, I just needed something anything that felt like mine again. So I started trying new hobbies. Painting, crafting, random DIY projects… and then I made my first candle.
Something clicked. The melting, the pouring, the scents, the quiet focus — it felt like therapy. It felt like breathing again. And I remember thinking, This is it. This is what I’ve been missing.
From that moment, I knew I wasn’t just making candles. I was building something for myself. Something that blended creativity, peace, and purpose. Something that could grow into a future I actually wanted.
With my husband cheering me on, truly my biggest supporter — Bentley Candle Co. was born. Not out of a business plan or a perfect moment, but out of a mom trying to find herself again. Out of love, resilience, and the belief that even in the hardest seasons, you can still create something beautiful.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely been a roller coaster. I’ve had ADHD my whole life, so balancing tasks, staying organized, focusing, and actually finishing what I start has always been a challenge for me. And running a business brings all of those struggles right to the surface. Some days I feel like I’m juggling a hundred things at once — motherhood, home life, my kids’ needs, and my own creative goals.
But even with all of that, this journey has been incredibly rewarding. Becoming a business owner has pushed me to grow in ways I never expected. It’s helped me face parts of myself I used to avoid, and it’s shown me how determined and resilient I really am. I’m constantly learning, constantly improving, and constantly proving to myself that I can do hard things.
Bentley Candle Co. isn’t just a business to me — it’s a reminder that even with obstacles, I can still build something beautiful and meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
When it comes to my work, I really pour myself into every part of the candle‑making process. I’m very intentional about the ingredients I use, everything has to be clean, natural, and safe. Living a more non‑toxic, wellness‑focused lifestyle is important to me and my family, so I treat my formulations almost like science. It’s taken years of experimenting, testing, failing, and trying again to get my candles exactly where I want them to be.
I’m hands‑on with everything: the wax blends, the fragrance ratios, the wicks, the burn tests, the branding, the marketing — all of it. I want every candle to feel like a full experience, not just a product.
And honestly, that’s been the story of my whole creative life. Whether it was theatrical makeup back in high school, becoming a master hair colorist, or now running Bentley Candle Co., I’ve always been self‑taught. I learn by doing. I figure things out. Where other people see limits, I don’t. I’ve always been ambitious and goal‑oriented, and when I decide to pursue something, I give it everything I have.
But I don’t say that to sound perfect. I’m far from it. I say it because creativity has always been my way of growing, healing, and proving to myself that I can turn passion into something real. This business has challenged me, stretched me, and helped me overcome so much personally. And even with all the hard days, it’s been incredibly rewarding.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When people ask me about finding mentors, I always tell them this: the biggest growth in my life happened when I changed my environment. For a long time, I felt stuck. But everything shifted once I started surrounding myself with positive people. It’s people who shared my values, who were driven, goal‑oriented, and genuinely rooting for my success.
You don’t always need a traditional mentor. Sometimes your “mentors” are simply the people you choose to keep close, the ones who inspire you by how they live and work. Being around that kind of energy pushed me to grow, to believe in myself more, and to level up in ways I didn’t expect.
So my best advice is simple:
Be intentional about your circle. Choose people who lift you, challenge you, and align with the life you’re trying to build.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bentleycandleco.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bentleycandleco/
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/bentleycandleco
