Co-Founders Heidi and Orville Thompson are back from a three-year mission in London for The Church of Latter-Day Saints. Scentsy President Dan Orchard led the company as interim CEO in the Thompsons’ absence. The company has nearly 271,000 consultants in 12 countries and has 1,823 employees, a majority of whom hail from near its Idaho headquarters.

Sales: $759 million

More than candles, Scentsy makes diffusers, warmers, even home and personal care products.

Company Co-Founders Orville and Heidi Thompson have one year remaining on their mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Their service began two years ago and ends June 2024.

Company executives maintain Scentsy produces nearly 231,000 products a day, with all of them manufactured in Meridian, ID. Scentsy operates six distribution centers: Meridian; Coppell, TX; Rock Hill, SC; Groningen, Netherlands; Cuautitlan, Mexico and New South Wales, Australia.

While Scentsy is best known for its home fragrance offerings; the company has expanded into personal care with body creams and washes and hand creams and soaps. Within home care, Scentsy offers an array of dryer disks, laundry detergents, fabric sprays and hard surface cleaners.

Sales: $1.0 billion

You can learn a lot about homeowners based on how their homes smell. That’s according to results of a recent study commissioned by Scentsy. The poll, conducted by OnePoll, found that when having company over, 72% of respondents said their homes must smell good beforehand, and 61% hold off from having guests over entirely if their homes aren’t smelling so nice. Three in four respondents said the way a person’s home smells can leave a long-lasting impression. Sixty-nine percent of people worry their homes may smell bad to others. The average respondent spends $221 a year on items to improve the home’s aroma. How a home smells is the second most important attribute, just behind cleanliness, 45 to 43%. Survey-takers shared how they keep their space smelling fresh—from purchasing liquid potpourri to live pinecones to cookie dough and even a dill pickle-scented air freshener.

According to respondents, the worst smells that can prevent guests are smoke (58%), sink water (57%) and pets (51%). Meanwhile, respondents said they want to be greeted with something sweet (63%), floral (61%) or even savory (51%) when visiting someone’s home. People are also concerned about how clean their homes are (45%) and their appearance (42%).

Overall, most love how their home smells (70%), with a similar percentage of people saying they’re used to the scent (68%).

Two in three Americans said they’ve given their home a “signature scent.” Many describe the scent as sweet (49%), consistent with their own cooking (47%), their favorite candle (46%) or floral (44%). They said their home’s scent makes them feel relaxed (63%), happy (54%) or even energetic (53%).

Seventy-seven percent of people said their entire day could be improved when they surround themselves with a good scent. Nine in 10 people who occasionally work from home said their workspace is more enjoyable if their house smells good. Similarly, 77% of people said doing chores around the home is more enjoyable if their house smells pleasant.

What do people care most about when having guests over? According to Scentsy and OnePoll results:

• How clean it is – 45%
• How it smells – 43%
• How it looks – 42%
• Where guests can sit/relax – 34%
• Having food prepared – 30%

Last year, the US Direct Selling Association inducted Heidi and Orville Thompson into the DSA Hall of Fame. The co-owners of Scentsy received the industry’s highest honor in recognition of their service and many contributions to DSA, the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF), and the industry.

“Since 2004, when Heidi and Orville first began supporting DSA activities, they have been impacting the industry with their vision and service,” explained Joseph N. Mariano, president of DSA. “I have the highest respect for Heidi and Orville and admire their commitment to their team, giving more than they receive, sharing best practices with peers, and solidifying the overall health of the direct selling industry. It’s rare to find entrepreneurs like these two – and we are grateful for their leadership journey with DSA.”
No sooner had the Thompsons received their award, that they departed on a three-year London mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They plan to reassume their roles as co-CEOs in 2024.

Earlier this year, Scentsy teamed up with Blossoms of Fragrance, at the 2022 Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. The Scentsy-presented Blossoms of Fragrance exhibit ran from March 2 to July 4. It featured three larger-than-life butterfly-shaped floral topiaries and Scentsy fragrance stations where guests can experience six beloved scents, each representing a fragrance family that ties in with flowers and gardens:

• Floral: Lilacs & Violets
• Fruity: Pineapple Pucker
• Citrus: Sunkissed Citrus
• Spice: Cinnamon Vanilla
• Woods: Black Forest Pine
• Fresh: French Lavender

Sales: $896 million

Top news this year at Scentsy year was a temporary change in leadership. Dan Orchard was named interim CEO and president on May 1, 2021 to take over for co-owners Heidi and Orville Thompson while they serve a three-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in London, England from July 2021 to June 2024.

“In the past couple of years, we have intentionally worked with the executive team to bring Scentsy to a point where the day-to-*day operations do not require our direct involvement and we are confident in being able to step away for a few years and perform this honorable service,” said Heidi Thompson.

The Thompsons plan to return to their Scentsy co-CEO roles when they conclude their mission service.

Orchard has a rich history with Scentsy since starting with the company in 2009. He served as brand manager over Scentsy’s core product lines before working on Scentsy’s international expansion efforts in Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand—even living abroad with his family in the UK and in Australia—before being appointed to Scentsy president in 2019.

Scentsy rolls out products on a weekly basis, according to sources at the company. The launches for 2020-2021 have enticed consumers who have been spending more time at home due to the pandemic—revenue nearly doubled from 2019 to $896.3 million. Scentsy products are sold through independent Scentsy consultants. Customers can find a consultant near them at scentsy.com.

This year, Scentsy teamed up with the National Hockey League (NHL) on a new line of wickless wax warmers celebrating the league’s 31 teams. Scentsy has worked with many well-known brands and the NHL is among the top requests in the US and Canada.

In other news, for the 12th year in a row, the Direct Sales Association (DSA) has given top honors to Scentsy— this time for an award-winning sales and marketing campaign. As part of its annual awards in December 2020, the DSA recognized Scentsy’s sales and marketing campaign for a subscription program that allows customers to schedule recurring shipments of consumable fragrance products, such as Scentsy Wax Bars, cleaning products and more.

Sales: $467 million

Sales rose nearly 5% last year.

Nearly a year ago, Heidi and Orville Thompson, former president and CEO of Scentsy, announced they would share the title of co-CEO, and former General Manager of Emerging Markets Dan Orchard became president.

“Since we started Scentsy 15 years ago, the two of us have worked side-by-side, leading the growth and development of the company while contributing our own strengths and passions,” explained Heidi Thompson. “Despite having two different titles, we’ve always acted as co-CEOs. So, now we’re making it official.”

As the Thompsons scaled back their day-to-day involvement in many areas, Scentsy executives and their teams operated at a higher level and in a more integrated way than ever before, according to the company. This has helped the Thompsons focus on long-term, high-level contributions that will help shape Scentsy’s future growth in the most meaningful ways, according to the company.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the company said it had closed all Scentsy buildings to the public and increased its cleaning and sanitizing schedules to protect employees. It also implemented ongoing work-from-home schedules for those who are able to perform their jobs remotely.

Sales: $449 million.

In 2004, Scentsy was little more than a backyard startup operating out of a 40-foot ocean container in Meridian, ID. What began as just a family network of employees grew to nearly 500 employees by the end of 2009, which nearly doubled over the next five years into 2014. The company reportedly brought in $449 million in 2018. Scentsy competes in 11 markets, through 131,000 sales reps who sell products via the party plan. Scentsy employs 1,000.

The company is currently in the process of developing “passive” scent products that don’t need to be plugged into any energy source to release fragrance and licensing more products in addition to its current Disney licensing.

Since 2010, Scentsy has donated more than $10 million to causes around the world. Twice a year, the company creates a product to benefit a charity. Right now, Scentsy is raising money and awareness to support Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation through the sale of the When Life Gives You Lemons warmer.

Sales: $450 million.

Sales slipped a bit during the past year; industry sources put the decline at less than 2%.

Sales: $456 million.

Scentsy is on the rebound, as sales rose more than 6%, according to sources.

Sales: $429 million.

Someone needs to light a fire under Scentsy. Since getting off to a hot start back in 2004, this multilevel marketer has cooled off substantially. Sales fell again last year, down 10%.

Sales: $480 million.

Scentsy may not be setting the world on fire like it was a few years ago when sales were growing at a double-digit pace year in and year out, but the company is still a formidable player in the home fragrance market, especially in the wickless category.
Scentsy has distribution sites in Meridian, ID, Lexington, KY, Coppell, TX and Warsaw, Poland.

Sales: $481 million.

Scentsy marks its 10th anniversary this year, but the celebrations are low-key, as company sales fell 14% in 2013, due to a slowdown in the US. Company co-founder Orville Thompson remains upbeat, telling the Idaho Statesman that he expects sales to stabilize in the future and to remain profitable.

“We knew there would be an overall correction,” he said. “Just like there’s hype and hope that amplifies success, when the trajectory changes, there’s doom and gloom.”

The company’s flagship fragrance products account for more than 90% of sales. To diversify, Scentsy expanded into body products and sprays, but the new items haven’t captured customers’ attention yet. In an effort to tap new consumers and new categories, Scentsy launched Grace Adele handbags and jewelry, and Velata kitchenware and fondue.

Unfortunately, obsevers note, when a direct seller makes a move into such disparate categories, it’s usually a sign of desperation, not inspiration or innovation.

This Summer, Scentsy will donate $6.50 from every Roosevelt the Rabbit purchase ($30) to the March of Dimes “imbornto” campaign, a movement dedicated to continued research and education responsible for helping more mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies.

Sales: $560 million

Scentsy Fragrance products are sold through a network of more than 200,000 independent consultants running home-based businesses in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland. The Scentsy Family of brands now includes three entirely unique brands that consultants can sell, including Scentsy Fragrance, featuring its flagship wickless candles and a complete line of personal care products known as Layers by Scentsy; Velata, a line of fondue warmers and accessories featuring Belgian chocolate and savory cheese; and Grace Adele, a mix and match style system of women’s accessories, which the company launched last August.

Also in 2012, Scentsy, Inc. was named to Forbes magazine’s Hire Power list. Scentsy was No. 20 on the list of 100 privately held businesses for hiring nearly 600 people from 2008-20011.

“At Scentsy, we strive to deliver fragrances that are true representations of natural ingredients,” said Heidi Thompson, president of Scentsy, Inc. and co-owner with her husband Orville.

Scentsy’s Charitable Cause Warmer from last winter, Champion, benefitted the Special Olympics. Through Feb. 28, 2013, Scentsy donated $8 from the sale of each Champion Warmer $35 to the organization. Scentsy also named Violet Leaf as its ScenTrend for 2013, a designation of an up-and-coming fragrance note that comes from trend analysis by fragrance experts at Scentsy and international fragrance houses. This fragrance is gentle on the senses, providing tranquil moments of respite and calm, according to the company.

Sales: $535 million.

For some, The American Dream can come fast and furious. Back in 2003, after several failed business ventures, Orville and Heidi Thompson were $700,000 in debt. But Orville, ever the salesman, begged his way into a home show event, promising to pay for the booth from the proceeds he garnered at the event. The organizer relented and Orville began selling 64-in-1 video game controllers across the aisle from Kara Egan and Colette Gunnell, founders of Scentsy, a tiny six-month-old wickless candle company housed in the basement of Gunnell’s home in the Salt Lake City area.
Orville became fascinated by the wickless candle concept and gave Kara a video game controller in exchange for a candle warmer, several wickless candle bars and a set of scent testers.

Scentsy offers personal care products too.

Heidi Thompson loved the products as much as her husband and on May 1, 2004, the Thompsons bought the company from Egan and Gunnell, who continue to sell Scentsy products and serve as company directors. Two months later, the Thompsons launched Scentsy as a party plan operation.

That first year, sales totaled $140,000 and by 2010, sales had reached $381 million. In 2011, Scentsy’s sales increased 40% and the number of consultants jumped more than 51% to over 151,000.

Today, Scentsy wickless products are sold through a network of more than 180,000 independent consultants running home-based businesses in the US, Puerto Rico, Guam, Canada, Germany, the UK and Ireland. It has distribution sites in Meridian, ID; Lexington, KY; Coppell, TX and Warsaw, Poland.

The company maintains that its Scentsy Bars hold more fragrance oils, resulting in a better fragrance “throw.” The amount of fragrance load for Scentsy wickless candles is about 15% oil compared with 5% for regular wicked candles. Additionally, Scentsy Bars are said to be safer than wicked candles because no flame is required for the wax to melt or to release the fragrance.

Last year, Scentsy was ranked No. 85 in Inc.’s list of the fastest-growing companies and No. 66 in Forbes’ list of the 100 most promising companies in the US.

Scentsy employs more than 1,000 and the Thompsons are confident that Scentsy’s sales will ultimately reach $5 billion.