Featured VentureMom – Melissa Gallardo CEO of Bonita
Melissa Gallardo, the visionary behind Bonita Fierce, embarked on her candle-making journey when she noticed a glaring absence of scents reminiscent of her upbringing within the home fragrance industry. “I was determined to curate a range of candles inspired by Latina culture, a true reflection of our heritage,” Gallardo shared.
Since the launch of Bonita Fierce in 2020, the brand made history as the first Latina-owned candle company to grace the shelves of Nordstrom. Moreover, it secured a place in the inaugural cohort of the Ulta Beauty MUSE Accelerator program, offering essential financial support to BIPOC-owned beauty brands.
In celebration of Women’s History Month, Bonita Fierce has recently introduced a captivating candle collection that pays homage to Latina trailblazers. The “Como La Flor” candle, a tribute to the “Queen of Tejano,” Selena Quintanilla, is crafted from coconut soy wax and housed in a reusable 13-ounce glass vessel. With a burn time of up to 60 hours, this candle enchants with floral notes like jasmine, rose, and lilac, encapsulating Selena’s essence. The collection also includes the “Azúcar” candle, a heartfelt dedication to the “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz, and features notes of cinnamon, sugar, buttercream, honey, and vanilla. Bonita Fierce has crafted these candles as a beautiful testament to the influence of these Latina icons.
