From Corporate Cubicles to Scent Architect: The Story of Wanderlust Scents

They say scent is the strongest tie to memory. For me, it was the "blueprint" for a new life.

In 2015, while balancing a corporate career, I started Wanderlust Scents as a personal obsession. I wanted to capture the essence of a destination—not just a smell, but a feeling of being somewhere else. What began as a small-batch passion in my home eventually led me to a crossroads in 2021. With the encouragement of my wife, I walked away from the corporate world to become a full-time Scent Architect.

Today, from our historic flagship storefront in downtown Waupaca, Wisconsin, I don’t just "make candles." I design atmospheres.

Whether it’s a hand-poured soy candle that transports you to a cedar-filled forest or a perfume oil that reminds you of a coastal breeze, every product at Wanderlust Scents is formulated by my own two hands. I believe in the "slow scent" movement—small batches, clean ingredients (like our signature soy wax), and proprietary blends you won’t find anywhere else.

As a perfumer, my mission is to provide you with the olfactory map to your next favorite memory. Wanderlust isn’t just about where you’re going; it’s about how you feel when you get there.

Thank you for supporting this family-owned journey. Stop by the shop in Waupaca or explore our latest "blueprints" online.