Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Pruett.
Amanda, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story really began with a major shift in my life that I never saw coming. Before Zo & Co. Melts, I was building a completely different future for myself. That path changed after a life-altering motorcycle accident that left me with a permanent injury and a long recovery ahead.
Recovery became a season of slowing down, relearning, and rebuilding—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. I had to find new ways to connect with myself during a time when so much felt uncertain. I’ve always been someone who creates with my hands, and during that time I naturally gravitated toward candles and wax melts as a grounding, calming outlet.
What started as something deeply personal—just small batches made at home—slowly turned into something more. Sharing them with friends, then at local markets, I began to see people connect not just with the products, but with the intention behind them. That’s when Zo & Co. Melts started to take shape.
Today, Zo & Co. Melts represents that entire journey of rebuilding something meaningful out of change. It’s become a creative space where I can pour intention, care, and story into every product, and share that with my community through markets, events, and everyday moments of connection.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. A big part of my journey has been learning how to build something new while also navigating life with a permanent injury from my motorcycle accident. There are days where my health impacts my energy, my mobility, and how much I can physically do in my business, especially during busy seasons or markets.
In the beginning, one of the biggest challenges was learning to pace myself. I had to unlearn the idea that I could just push through everything, and instead start listening to my body and building a business that could work with me, not against me.
There’s also the emotional side of rebuilding your identity after something like that. I went from a very different career path and lifestyle into something completely new, so there were moments of uncertainty and self-doubt along the way. I had to trust that even if the path looked different than what I originally planned, it could still be meaningful and successful.
On the business side, like many small makers, I’ve also faced the usual challenges of starting from scratch—learning markets, growing a brand, figuring out what resonates with people, and balancing everything behind the scenes while still showing up consistently.
But each of those challenges has also shaped Zo & Co. Melts into what it is today. It’s taught me patience, adaptability, and how to build something with intention rather than urgency.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Zo & Co. Melts is a handcrafted candle and wax melt brand built around intention, storytelling, and sensory experience. Every product is made in small batches with a focus on creating scents that feel nostalgic, comforting, and transportive—something that can shift the energy of a space and the feeling of a moment.
What I specialize in is creating scent collections that feel like experiences rather than just fragrances. Each collection is thoughtfully curated, often inspired by seasons, memories, or specific moods, so customers aren’t just choosing a scent—they’re choosing a feeling.
What sets Zo & Co. Melts apart is the heart behind it. This brand was born out of a personal season of rebuilding after a life-changing motorcycle accident and ongoing health challenges. Because of that, everything is created with intention and care, and the brand naturally reflects themes of resilience, creativity, and slowing down to appreciate small moments.
I’m most proud of how the brand has grown through real community connection—starting from a personal creative outlet to now showing up at local markets and events, where I get to meet customers face-to-face and hear how the scents become part of their homes and routines.
At its core, Zo & Co. Melts is about more than home fragrance. It’s about creating something meaningful that people can feel connected to—whether that’s through a scent that reminds them of a memory, or simply a small moment of calm in their day.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I think if there’s anything I would want readers to take away from my story, it’s that life doesn’t always follow the path you expect—and sometimes the most meaningful things are born from the moments you never planned for.
Zo & Co. Melts started during a season where I was learning how to rebuild and redefine what my life could look like. What I’ve learned through that process is that creativity can be incredibly grounding, and that even small, intentional things—like scent and memory—can have a powerful impact on how we experience our everyday lives.
I’m really grateful for the community that has supported this journey so far, whether that’s at markets, events, or online or local boutiques. Every conversation, every customer, and every bit of encouragement has helped shape this brand into what it is today.
More than anything, I hope Zo & Co. Melts brings people small moments of comfort, joy, and connection in their own lives the same way it has for me.
Pricing:
- Wax melts typically range from approximately $8-$20 depending on size and collection
- Candles typically range from approximately $13-$30 depending on size, vessel, and design
- Limited seasonal or special collection pieces may vary slightly in pricing based on materials and production
- Products are available through local markets and events, as well as through my online shop when collections are released. I also regularly attend pop-up markets where customers can shop in person and experience the scents firsthand.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoandcomelts?igsh=MTAyY254d2gxMHR0ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/188srkgbUW/?mibextid=wwXIfr
