"Finally, my daughter said to me, "Mom, you should open your own business. You should sell these things."
And so she did. Although she was still living in Connecticut, McKenzie opened an account for her business, Margo's Jewels, in Windham.
That was 10 years ago. Jewel's name is still on the label, although she is all grown up now. And her namesake scent, Jewel's Chai Tea, is still one of McKenzie's favorites.
Sikorsky is now a part of McKenzie's past. Her household hobby is her career now. But it is not the same as it was years ago. The soaps have taken a backseat to candles, which currently are McKenzie's niche product.
The candles are all-natural and are made with soy. The wick is 100% cotton. The scented oils used in the candles are all-natural. "Soy is 100% vegetable product. It's not petroleum-based like paraffin. So, number one, you are not subsidizing the oil business," she said. "And I think it's more important then ever to support U.S. farmers."
Her secret to the scents, of which she has more than 100, is her background in chemistry, which help her understand how different oils blend to create scent.
"Scent is absolutely essential to us as human beings. A certain scent can really put someone at peace," she said.
