From Store Manager to Studio Founder

Proof That Dreams Grow When You Do

THEN: Ogi Emiabata As A Store Manager for Bath & Body Works

Before there was Above Average Candle Studio, before candle bars on wheels, diy bridal sewing studios, or dessert-inspired candles, there was a young woman learning leadership skills, providing great customer service and studying the art of fun & fragrance one shift at a time.

There was a headset. A floor set. A stockroom. A sales goal.

And there was Bath & Body Works.

As a Store Manager, Ogi learned more than how to sell lotions & candles — she learned how scent creates emotion, how experiences drive loyalty, and what leadership looks in real time.

She learned the science of fragrance, the rhythm of retail, and the magic that happens when customers feel seen and uplifted. Happy places must create HAPPINESS!

But what she didn’t know yet…Was that she was laying the foundation for something much bigger.

Now: Ogi inside of Above Average Candle Studio's North Park Location

The Spark That Would Not Go Away

Even then, the dream didn’t fit neatly into the job description. It showed up in curiosity. In late night brainstorming. In a quiet voice that said, “What if I built something of my own?”

What if fragrance wasn’t just sold — but crafted?

What if candles weren’t just bought — but experienced?

Here's a thought: instead of shopping for a fulfilling experience with the ones who matter most (besties, your partner or your mom), how about creating a fulfilling experience (with the people who matter most) that inspires shopping?

What if creativity wasn’t a side hustle — but a calling?

That voice didn’t fade. It grew louder.

Back In The Day: Ogi as a little girl

This is where it really began

Before titles.

Before business plans.

Before knowing what entrepreneurship

even was.

This little girl loved creating. She loved imagination. She loved the idea that her hands could turn ideas into something real.

She didn’t know the words brand, experiential retail, or multi-hyphenate founder— but she knew how to dream.

And somehow… she never forgot.

Building something Above Average — One Small Bold Step at a Time

Architectural Rendering Of Above Average Candle Studio's New Flagship Location - Coming Soon!

But step by step, Ogi turned experience into ownership.

• Above Average Candle Studio was born as a space where people don’t just make candles—they make memories.

• Above Average Vegan Body Care is a handmade, cruelty-free collection of natural lotions, scrubs, and washes — custom-blended by you to reflect your mood, memory, and personal scent story.

• The Mobile Candle Bar brought that magic on the road, proving creativity belongs everywhere at offices, weddings and outdoor events.

• Knot Your Average Bride diy sewing studio, reimagined bridal fashion as empowerment and sustainability.

• Sweet Dreams Candle Co. turned nostalgia, joy, and indulgence into scent.

  
  

Each brand different. Each brand intentional.

Each brand rooted in the same belief:

You are allowed to create a life — and a business — that reflects all of you.

This Is Your Sign

This story isn’t just about candles.

It’s about evolution. It’s about honoring where you started without being confined by it. It’s about trusting that skills gained in one season can fuel the vision of the next.

If you’re standing in a “then” season right now—wondering if your dreams are too big, too different, or too far away—this is your reminder:

You don’t have to see the whole path. You don't have to worry about who doesn't believe in it. You just have to take the next step. Because one day, you’ll look back at your THEN…And realize it was preparing you for your NOW all along.