A Journey Begins in the Kitchen
In a small studio in Connecticut, a woman was on a mission to reimagine what home fragrance could be. The air was filled with the scent of burning wax and the hum of creativity, as Lauren Cirkot hand-poured her very first candle. Little did she know, this quiet moment in her kitchen would spark the beginning of a brand that would take over gift shops and boutiques nationwide, Seven Continents. A candle brand rooted in travel, adventure, and the transformative power of scent, Seven Continents isn’t just about filling your home with fragrance; it’s about filling your life with memories.
The Birth of Seven Continents
Seven Continents didn’t start with a business plan — it started with DIY holiday gifts. Lauren has always made things by hand for friends and family, and in December 2023 she poured a few candles as gifts. She had leftover wax, so she kept experimenting and sharing new scents. It unfolded naturally — and fast.
Lauren never set out to become a candle maker. But she has always been obsessed with travel — constantly researching destinations, learning about cultures, and chasing that feeling of discovering a new place. So when people kept encouraging her to turn this into something real, the travel theme wasn’t even a question. It was the only direction that made sense. Seven Continents became her way to share travel with others — but through scent. Today, every candle she pours is inspired by a real place — the foods, forests, coasts, markets, and landscapes of the world — so you don’t just light a candle… you escape somewhere.
An Approach Like No Other
Lauren’s journey to founding Seven Continents began long before she ever poured her first candle. A self-described traveler at heart, she spent years roaming the globe, collecting memories, stories, and scents from every corner of the world. From the cozy Parisian desserts to the crisp pine air of the Canadian Rockies, Lauren was drawn to the power of scent to transport her back to those special moments. She started experimenting in her kitchen, mixing wax and oils to create fragrances that captured the essence of these places. It wasn’t long before friends and family began asking for their own candles, and that’s when the idea of building a business out of it began to take shape.
What Makes Seven Continents Unique?
What makes Seven Continents different from other home fragrance brands is its commitment to quality, authenticity, and storytelling. Each candle is inspired by a real destination, from Martha’s Vineyard to the wild blueberry barrens of coastal Maine. Lauren’s research process is what sets her apart, she doesn’t just choose scents based on seasonal trends; she delves into the culture, history, and geography of each location, translating those details into a fragrance that evokes the true spirit of the place. Whether it’s the lavender fields of Provence or the Canadian Evergreens during the holiday season, every scent is a carefully curated experience.
“I wanted to create something that wasn’t just a pretty scent in a jar,” Lauren says. “I wanted to bring people a piece of the world, to offer them a sensory passport that they could use to explore new destinations, even when they couldn’t physically be there.”
Clean Ingredients, Powerful Scent
Seven Continents is also redefining what “clean” home fragrance means. In an industry flooded with toxic chemicals, artificial dyes, and mass-produced products, Lauren took a different approach. Every candle is made with California Prop 65-compliant ingredients, premium waxes, phthalate-free fragrance oils, and no artificial dyes. The result? A cleaner burn, a refined scent experience, and the peace of mind that comes with using products that are safe for your home and family.
“I’ve always believed that clean ingredients are essential,” Lauren explains. “But I also know that a lot of clean brands don’t perform as well. Our goal was to create a candle that was both clean and powerful, with a scent throw that fills the room without being overpowering.”
Small-Batch Craftsmanship for Maximum Quality
This commitment to quality is evident in every batch of candles. Hand-poured in small batches to ensure the utmost attention to detail, each candle is carefully crafted to deliver a sensory experience that captures the essence of its destination. And Lauren doesn’t just stop at creating the perfect fragrance; she’s also dedicated to educating her customers about the importance of clean ingredients and sustainable practices.
Seven Continents’ rapid growth has been nothing short of impressive. In just her first year of business, Lauren expanded the brand to over 100 retail shops across the country. Her seasonal launches regularly sell out, and her candles have become a staple in gift shops, bookstores, and specialty retailers nationwide. Lauren’s travel-inspired fragrances have struck a chord with consumers who are looking for more than just a candle, they want a connection, a piece of the world that reminds them of a place they’ve visited or dream of visiting.
The Emotional Power of Scent
The success of Seven Continents isn’t just about numbers, it’s about the emotional connection that the brand has created with its customers. People don’t just buy these candles because they smell good, they buy them because they feel something. Whether it’s nostalgia for a favorite vacation spot or a yearning for new adventures, each candle becomes a part of their story.
How Seven Continents Stands Out in a Crowded Market
Seven Continents’ unique approach to home fragrance has made it a standout in a crowded market. By focusing on storytelling, quality ingredients, and small-batch craftsmanship, Lauren has built a brand that resonates with consumers on a deeper level. It’s not just about scent, it’s about creating a connection, a memory, a moment of escape.
Looking ahead, Lauren’s vision for Seven Continents is clear. She wants to continue expanding the brand, offering more destinations, more scents, and more ways for people to experience the world through fragrance. She also plans to keep her focus on sustainability, ensuring that her products are made with the highest standards of environmental responsibility.
For more information about Seven Continents and to shop the collection, visit her website and Instagram.
