Hidden Gems: Meet Cheryl Roder-Quill of Sonicglow Candles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Cheryl Roder-Quill

Hi Cheryl, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! So, Sonicglow began as a way for me to reconnect with my creative roots and love for bold, sensory experiences. I’m a traditionally trained graphic designer, starting back in the days when everything was done by hand — cutting, pasting and building things from scratch. For the past 38 years in the design industry, I’ve worked with a wide range of clients, from indie artists to Fortune 500 companies, Silicon Valley startups to Mom and Pop businesses. While I’ve done my share of clean, corporate design work, my passion has always been in pushing creative boundaries and delivering unexpected results. This philosophy led to my work being recognized by organizations like AIGA and published in design books.

But after spending decades behind a computer, I missed the hands-on, tactile creativity that originally inspired me. I found myself longing to create something more personal and immersive. The pandemic only reinforced that feeling of needing a deeper connection — not only with friends and family but with the creative spirit I felt slipping away. That’s when the idea for Sonicglow came to life.

I’ve always been fascinated by how scent, music and memory are intertwined — how a certain smell or song can transport you to a specific time or place. I wanted to create something tangible that captured those moments. Sonicglow is the culmination of that vision — candles that don’t just fill a room with fragrance but fill a moment with energy and emotion.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Launching Sonicglow has come with its fair share of challenges and it’s been anything but smooth, that’s for sure! Learning the art of candle-making from scratch — everything from sourcing eco-friendly materials to ensuring each candle burns clean and fills a room with fragrance — was a huge learning curve. We also face the challenge of standing out in a market full of minimalist, subtle candle brands. Sonicglow is intentionally different, by design. We’re bold, vibrant and unapologetically in-your-face, perfect for people who crave memorable, ultra-fragrant experiences. Our packaging, just like our scents, is designed to stand out.

On top of that, there’s the constant evolution of social media. As a designer, I’m used to working behind the scenes, not in front of the camera, so putting myself and my process out there has been a major challenge! Oh, and there’s the day-to-day of running a small business. Every business owner knows the reality of juggling production, marketing, customer service, packing orders — all of it — can be overwhelming! But through it all, we’ve stayed true to what makes Sonicglow unique.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We create premium, eco-friendly candles designed to do more than smell good — they transform spaces and amplify experiences. Each candle is handcrafted and poured in small batches, using high quality, non-toxic materials, including clean burning waxes, oils and wicks. Since day one, we’ve been committed to sourcing our materials locally or within the US whenever possible, ensuring that our products are both safe and sustainable.

Sustainability also informs our packaging decisions — from the label stock to the paper used on our candle sleeves, cards and wraps. Most of our packaging is reusable or recyclable, reflecting our commitment to reducing waste while delivering a bold product. That being said, we know we can always do better, so as the brand grows, we will continue to seek out more eco-friendly packaging solutions and find new ways to minimize waste.

What truly sets Sonicglow apart is our boldness. We don’t follow the minimalist trend and every design decision is intentional. Our candles are vibrant, ultra fragrant and designed to make a statement. From unique, custom-blended scents to dynamic, collage-style packaging, we create products that stand out and inspire bold experiences. The name “Sonicglow” reflects this ethos. It merges the sensory realms of sound and light, capturing how we approach each candle as a full-on experience. Every scent is crafted to evoke emotion — triggering memories, sparking conversations and amplifying moments in your home. Since my background as a designer has always been about creating experiences that are vibrant, immersive and unexpected, that same philosophy drives Sonicglow. It’s not just about making something that smells good — it’s about creating something that people can hold in their hands, connect with and remember.

Each candle also comes with a curated playlist, or “mixtape” as I call them, inspired by the mood, memory or decade behind the scent. This helps to create a full sensory journey — whether it’s the nostalgic scent of a weekend roller skating session, the laid-back vibe of a tropical beach or the energy of a music festival. Every detail is crafted to elevate your everyday moments.

Honestly, we don’t want to be just another candle brand. We’re here for those who crave bold, memorable experiences. Our customers don’t settle for ordinary and neither do we. Sonicglow is about amplifying the moments that matter most, creating unforgettable experiences through the power of scent, design and storytelling.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We’re so grateful for the incredible support we’ve received so far and it’s been amazing to see how Sonicglow has connected with people who share our passion for creativity and bold experiences. Now, we’d love to collaborate with even more individuals who resonate with our vision. Whether you’re a designer, musician or a brand looking to create unique, immersive experiences, we’d be stoked to explore partnership opportunities. Sonicglow is all about creating memories through scent and music, so if you’re into curating bold experiences, let’s connect.

Our candles also make an awesome addition to curated gift boxes, subscription services and retail partnerships. And if you have a favorite scent memory or need custom candles for a special event, we’d love to collaborate on bringing your vision to life through custom orders. You can find us online, follow us on social media, or drop us a line if you’re interested in collaborating or exploring wholesale opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sonicglow.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonicglowcandles
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonicglowcandles