Alejandro, the founder of Smell of Love Candles, made history on Thursday, September 1st. The 12-year-old entrepreneur opened up a kiosk in Tysons Corner mall, becoming the youngest leaseholder to date.

Smell of Love Candles handcrafts ethically sourced soy and coconut wax candles, infusing them with delightful blends of essential oils. Their candles are hand-poured in small batches and are 100% phthalate-free.

During the grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony, Will, an employee at a nearby store Under Armour, stated that he heard about the grand opening on Instagram, and didn’t want to miss it. “It’s just amazing to see someone so young pursuing his dreams. I have brothers his age so it’s really cool, especially him being a person of color. I’m just proud of him, even though I don’t even know him.” Will shared.

Alejandro is including the community in his endeavors. His website states, “Alejandro believes we are stronger when we take care of each other, so his company donates a portion of each month’s profits to charity. This year, his team is working on creating a scholarship fund so Alejandro can take a portion of the profits earned through his candle business and help send other kids to college as well.”

Be sure to stop by his store in Tysons Corner Mall. Not only will you enjoy his amazing products, but you will continue to support young entrepreneurs of color to fulfill their dreams.

Tysons Corner Center 1961 Chain Bridge Rd, Tysons, VA 22102