An Inspired Chat with Antionette Watkins of Lanham, MD

We recently had the chance to connect with Antionette Watkins and have shared our conversation below.

Antionette, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
I was incredibly proud when I had the opportunity to partner with Here and Now in Annapolis, MD, to display and share my products with their clientele. This partnership felt like a true milestone because it placed UMBEREDco in a space that values intentional living and meaningful experiences. Seeing my products on their shelves affirmed the hard work, long nights, and dedication behind every candle and self-care item I create. It also allowed me to connect with a new community of customers who appreciate quality, craftsmanship, and emotional wellness. Most importantly, it reminded me that my brand belongs in spaces that uplift, inspire, and support the journey toward healing and self-care.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Antionette, and I’m the founder of UMBEREDco, a candle and self-care brand created to remind people to pause, breathe, and reset. What makes UMBEREDco unique is our mission to help others create a personal sanctuary through scent and intention. Each product—from our hand-poured candles to our body soufflés and incense—is designed to support what I call a “4-Minute Reset,” a simple ritual that helps you slow down and reconnect with yourself.

UMBEREDco was born from my own journey of healing after the loss of my father. I wanted to turn that pain into purpose by creating something that could bring comfort, calm, and light to others navigating their own moments of overwhelm. Every fragrance tells a story, and every collection is crafted to inspire peace and restoration.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding our self-care line and continuing to grow our community of people who believe in the power of slowing down. At UMBEREDco, it’s more than a candle—it’s a moment to Strike. Light. Burn. Relax.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I shared with my father. He taught me the importance of resilience, faith, and finding light even in dark moments. Losing him was one of the hardest experiences of my life, but it also became the foundation for how I live and create today. Through that grief, I discovered the power of slowing down, honoring memories, and turning pain into purpose.

That relationship showed me that strength doesn’t always look loud—it can be gentle, quiet, and steady. It inspired me to build UMBEREDco as a reflection of that lesson: to create moments of peace and intentional self-care for others who might be navigating their own journeys of healing and growth.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was definitely a time I almost gave up. When I first started UMBEREDco, I was juggling motherhood, grief, and the uncertainty of building something from scratch. There were moments when I questioned if people would understand the heart behind what I was creating—or if my message of slowing down and healing through scent really mattered.

But every time I thought about quitting, I remembered why I started. I created UMBEREDco out of pain, but also out of love—for my father, for myself, and for others who needed a reminder to pause and breathe. That purpose always pulled me back. It taught me that even when the flame flickers, it doesn’t mean it’s out. Sometimes you just need to protect it until it burns steady again.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the self-care and candle industry tells itself is that luxury and wellness have to be complicated—or expensive—to be meaningful. The truth is, self-care doesn’t have to look like a long retreat or a lavish ritual. It can be as simple as lighting a candle, taking a breath, and giving yourself permission to pause.

Another lie is that products alone create peace. They don’t. It’s the intention behind them that makes the difference. At UMBEREDco, I focus on creating tools that remind people to reconnect with themselves—because true self-care isn’t about perfection or aesthetics; it’s about presence and purpose.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was light—that I used my gifts to help others find peace in their own darkness. I want my story to remind people that healing is possible, that slowing down is sacred, and that even in loss, love can bloom into something beautiful.

Through UMBEREDco, I hope my legacy reflects how I lived—with intention, compassion, and a deep belief in the power of creating space to breathe and reset. I want people to remember me not just for what I made, but for how I made them feel—seen, calm, and reminded that they are enough, just as they are.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.umbered.com
• Instagram: @umberedco
• Facebook: @umberedcoo
• Other: tiktok”: @umberedco

Image Credits
photographer Kimberly of Urban Oasis Studio