Love and peace and happiness: Emilia Soy Aromas opens on New Britain Avenue
- Mara Dresner
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
Photos by Mara Dresner
by Mara Dresner
Contributing Writer
Behind the front desk of Emilia Soy Aromas is a sign stating “create your own magic.”
That’s precisely what owner Gissel Geraldo has done with the business and what she hopes her customers will be inspired to do. Geraldo moved to the United States from the Dominican Republic in April 2018 and she hit the ground running.
While she started out working in factories, she knew she wanted something more.
“I started to do things to make money. I’d do personalized trays [of food]. You could order breakfast to your house. Your partner could surprise you with breakfast, lunch or dinner,” Geraldo said.
“I started with that, but people didn’t want to pay the price. I went to YouTube to see how could I make money in this country. I saw a video where someone was making a candle and that led to where I am now.”
Her friend Tommy Barbosa, who helped translate Geraldo’s Spanish during this interview, advised her to take things slowly.
“I told her take your time but she wanted to grow. She had dreams,” he said. “And she did it. When she wants something, she usually does it.”
Two years ago, she started selling candles at events.
“Everybody’s reactions made her so proud. Everybody loved the candles,” Barbosa said.
Then she began to think even bigger and on Nov. 22, 2025, Geraldo opened Emilia Soy Aromas at 451 New Britain Ave. The space needed major renovations, much of which Geraldo did on her own, again turning to YouTube tutorials.
“We painted, we ripped up the floor, everything. I’d come at midnight crying,” she said. “It wasn’t easy. A lot of times I had doubts and wanted to quit.”
She credits Barbosa with helping keep her spirits up.
“A very good friend named Tommy told me never to quit and pushed me to keep going,” she said.
She also found a financial partner.
“A lot of times I ran out of money or [a contractor] charged more than expected. All the hard times I went through, I found somebody who loves candles as much as [I do],” Geraldo said.
“I found a silent partner who helped me with the investment, Adam Greenman. I’m very appreciative of him helping make my dreams come true and want to make sure he knows that.”
Emilia Soy Aromas sells candles and soaps and also has a space for people to come in and make their own creations.
“The mission is so people can enjoy and create. I want people to create magic. Creating a candle is not just about creating a candle, it’s about putting all of your feelings into it,” she said.
Large candles come in a variety of scents such as citrus splash, banana bread and cinnamon roll. Soaps feature fragrances including lavender, chamomile and orchid petal. She also sells perfumes, linen and room spray, diffusers, wax melts, candle tins and other items.
Guests who opt for the aroma bar experience can choose their own vessels and scents before melting, mixing and pouring their candles. For the soap experience, guests choose from one of three molds and then choose colors and fragrances before melting and mixing the soap and pouring it into the mold.
Her candles use soy wax.
“Soy is organic. It’s pet friendly. Everybody can burn it,” Geraldo said.
“Everything we do here is organic. We always use organic oils,” Barbosa added.
The business, which is open Wednesday through Sunday, is named after Geraldo’s younger daughter Emiliana. She gets help with the business from Barbosa and her older daughter Yonairy Geraldo, 15, who often assists with events.
“One of the reasons I was afraid to run the store was how am I going to talk to clients if I can’t speak English? I feel like people accept me. Everybody is telling me I’m doing a great job,” she said.
“Little by little, Emilia Soy Aromas is not just mine; it’s Newington’s. It’s a place where anybody can come and have fun and enjoy and create something.”
Geraldo is always developing new scents. Her favorites are the strawberry and cream candle and the honey-oat soap. Her clientele sometimes travels a distance to reach the shop, such as Dariana Arrindell, who lives in Waterbury.
“What’s special about Emilia Soy Aromas is the woman behind the business. That displays her uniqueness, creativeness and talent in her products,” Arrindell said.
She is impressed with Geraldo’s story, which she noted “shows determination, willpower, vision and focus.”
Her favorite product is a roll-on perfume oil called Diva.
“[I’ve] received many compliments when wearing it. I also enjoy indulging in the homemade natural soaps. And, of course, there isn’t anything better than lighting a candle made especially by you,” Arrindell said.
Even as Geraldo gets established with her business, she has an eye on the future. She’s hoping to eventually expand into New York and Massachusetts as well as add to her product line.
For now, she takes a moment to reflect on what Emilia Soy Aromas is all about.
“Emilia Soy Aromas is more than a store. It’s an experience filled with love, peace and joy, where every person can create, relax and take home a little piece of happiness made by their own hands,” she said.
“It’s love and peace and happiness.” NL
Emilia Soy Aromas is located at 451 New Britain Ave. Learn more at emiliasoyaromas.com.