How can you marry marketing seduction with true (and honest and caring) love? Recently, I came across a spa product that struck me as a fine example of this rare combination. At least it looks like that from the website, accompanying blog, and associations, of this maker of body massage candles.
Agent of Change, Seth Godin, writes:
Marketing is not the same as advertising. Advertising is a tiny slice of what marketing is today, and in fact, it's pretty clear that the marketing has to come before the product, not after.... In fact, just about every successful product or service is the result of smart marketing thinking first, followed by a great product that makes the marketing story come true.
I'm profiling Scandle Candles as an example of the kind of transparent, informative marketing I'd like to see from more spa venues and spa product vendors. I believe that this company has managed to take on sustainability without compromising their 'selling power'.
I haven't asked what their selling results are but I'll guess they're good. I haven't yet tried the product but I will for Valentine's Day and if it doesn't match up ... I'll let you know. My purpose is not to offer free advertising through my blogs but to encourage sustainable business models.
Tell me what you think...
Scandle have matched their product with a need, with a gap in the market that related not only to health and sustainability but also to something that their target market - both individuals and spas - would see other values in.
For individuals, they offer something that's fun, plenty of serious 'green' information, and lots of variety in aromatic choices and combinations. For spas, they offer signature and specialty branding, and an array of unique use, treatment (and selling) ideas.
The text below has been adapted from Scandle's website or blog; please review both for a lot more. The blog tells the story of their business, the industry as a whole, and will hopefully soon include mention of sourcing more organic ingredients and more about their sources and production process (my suggestion).
Currently Scandle follows the guidelines of the Natural Ingredient Resource Center for 'natural' (but not necessarily organic) products; you can read more about this by following the previous link here and also by reading the current series of posts on sustainable spa products.
'The Scandle Body Massage Candle is a fragrant hand-poured body massage candle that, when burned, melts to create a healthy body massage oil that can be used to enhance the healthy of your skin. Not only, is The Scandle Body Massage Candle healthy for your skin, but it is also healthy for the environment...'
'The Scandle was created because we noticed that several massage candles on the market were only made of soy wax. Soy wax, even when melted is very heavy and doesn't give you the feel that massage oil should have. Also, it doesn't have any of the oils to help moisturize and promote healthy skin.'
'Scandles are made with FDA approved ingredients and are everything you'd expect from a skin healthy lotion with the added ambiance and aroma of a spa candle.'
Scandle candles vs paraffin candles or other vegetable based candles:
- complex blend of soy and all natural vegetable oils
- does not emit toxins while burning
- emits an incredibly small amount of soot
- biodegradable
- water soluble
- burns cooler and therefore, slower
- renewable resource
- supports economic growth and US farmers
- all natural and are made from FDA approved ingredients including shea butter, cosmetic grade soy butter, jojoba, vitamin E, & body safe fragrance or essential oils.
- no Stearic Acid
- the wick is cotton and contains no lead or zinc.
- contains no paraffin or petroleum
- free of UV inhibitors
'A number of beauty brands & spa brands, like Scandle Body Candles, whether voluntarily or on account of regulations, are adopting packaging policies promoting good environmental stewardship.'
'The Scandle Massage Candle, for instance, features reusable ceramic canisters that can be used for other purposes or refilled with our Scandle Lotion Candle refills. Additonally, Scandle offers travel size body candles packaged in recycled materials.'
They've been in the news all over, they are a member of the Texas Department of Agriculture, support Truth in Labeling, and they link to 'green' friends. They also belong to an innovative network for entrepreneurial women Ladies Who Launch.
