Oprah Daily: Scents of a Woman

"Discover the journey that landed this world traveler in Harlem, where she started a candle company that focuses on the neighborhood’s brightest lights—and made this year’s Oprah’s Favorite Things list.

Before the term influencer existed, Teri Johnson was a travel-and-lifestyle expert for outlets including national magazine and television brands, and her own online show, Travelista Teri. “As I traveled, I started collecting little things—a perfume, say—that would remind me of each place,” she says. “When I was at home, I also found myself burning candles all the time—it really helped me relax.”

Although Johnson had a dream job, she recalls, it didn’t come with the dream income. So in 2014, she put her love of fragrance and candles together to create Harlem Candle Company—and this year, one of her products was selected for Oprah’s Favorite Things. In celebration of this year’s list, we’re getting to know some of the small-business founders. Here, the Harlem Candle Company, in its creator’s own words."