Urban GLŌ: How Salimah Scott Turned Healing Into A Candle-Making Empire

UNION, N.J. — In the summer of 2019, Salimah Scott was navigating life after divorce when lighting a candle in her backyard became a nightly ritual of peace.

“I didn’t feel like myself,” Scott said. “I just needed something that would help me pour back into me.”

Those nightly self-care rituals — kids in bed, music playing, candles glowing — eventually sparked something more. When her own stash of candles ran out, she ordered a DIY kit online and made her first handmade candle. She gave it to family and friends. Then, she made more. 

Soon after, Urban GLŌ was born.

“I didn’t start out trying to run a business,” Scott said. “I was just trying to fill my own cup. That’s it.”

This isn’t Scott’s first entrepreneurial venture. Her journey began with event decorating, inspired by her aunt who taught her that you can have a steady job and still pursue your passion. Later, she tried her hand at organizing pop-up events. But it wasn’t until Urban GLŌ that Scott felt completely aligned with her purpose and it shows.

The “Glō” Behind the Name

Scott, a Jersey City native, said the name “Urban GLŌ” came to her during one of those summer nights — inspired by streetlights, stars and the glowing cross atop a nearby church.

“The ‘urban’ comes from where I’m from — Jersey City is always a part of me,” she said. “And the ‘glō’ comes from those peaceful nights. I just took off the ‘w’ to make it my own.”

That same mix of authenticity and intention defines the brand’s aesthetic and philosophy: minimal, elevated, and deeply personal. “What you see is what you get,” Scott said. “I’m not big on fillers or fluff. If your candle doesn’t smell like anything, then that’s the end of your business.”

Healing Through Creation

While many entrepreneurs identify a market gap before launching, Scott’s approach was inward.

“I wasn’t trying to fill a market gap,” she said. “I was trying to fill my own cup. I didn’t know what people needed—I just knew what I needed. And it turns out, a lot of people needed the same thing.”

Urban GLŌ quickly blossomed into more than a product-based business. Her brick-and-mortar studio offers immersive candle-making experiences, drawing in over 1,000 guests last year alone. The space offers a creative, calming environment where customers can pour into themselves—literally and figuratively.

Serving Community with Scent and Soul

From body creams and room sprays to the newly launched reed diffusers, Scott’s product line has expanded thoughtfully over the years. The candles remain the heart of the brand, with crowd favorites like “Classic No. 2: Mango Butter” and the “GLŌ Collection”—each crafted with care and intention.

But her impact goes beyond the product. Urban GLŌ partners with local organizations like the YWCA of Union County, contributing to domestic violence fundraisers and even hosting a pet adoption event where visitors could make a candle and meet cats in need of homes. Scott partnered with the Township of Union and local libraries to host community-centered experiences.

“I just want people to feel good when they walk in the door,” she said. “I may not know what they’re going through, but I know how important it is to be poured into.”

Built With Purpose

One thing that sets Urban GLŌ apart is Scott’s physical storefront—a rarity in the candle industry, which is largely online or pop-up based. And she didn’t go looking for it—the location found her.

“I wasn’t sure about taking it,” she said of the Union space. “The layout wasn’t perfect, and I was scared. But something about it just spoke to me. So I took the leap.”

With the help of a close friend and designer, she transformed the space into a cozy, café-style retreat. A once-troublesome “dip in the wall” became her favorite nook, now home to scent warmers and storytelling displays.

“It’s more than a shop—it’s a sanctuary.”

Looking Ahead

Scott is keeping the momentum going. She recently released her first children’s book, You’re Such a Big Girl Now, inspired by her daughter’s preschool graduation. It’s available in-store, on her website urbanglobrand.com, and on Amazon.

Long term, Scott dreams of expanding Urban GLŌ’s reach nationwide, and maybe even opening a second location—if the right one calls her. But she’s in no rush.

“You’ve got to get the first baby down before you plan for another,” she laughed.

For Scott, staying grounded in her purpose is more important than chasing trends. She avoids comparison, keeps her creativity sacred, and listens to her customers, who often call out specific favorites and request new launches with loyal enthusiasm.

Supporting Black-Owned Businesses Year-Round

Scott is candid about the importance of supporting small, Black-owned businesses like hers every day—not just in February.

“My products are made with my bare hands, in small batches. They’re not mass-produced,” she said. “If we want to build big, we have to pour into small businesses. That’s how we grow.”

Urban GLŌ is more than candles—it’s a reflection of resilience, reinvention, and radical self-love. It’s a brand born out of personal transformation that continues to light the way for others seeking peace, purpose, and a little bit of glow.