City of Vaughan

Owner Madonna Cicconi at the Refillery Bar

When you ask Madonna Cicconi to list three products from her studio she can’t live without, she warmly explains that’s not an easy task. “If I had to pick, it would be our signature body butter, a soothing bath bomb and our calming aroma roller. These were the first products we produced, and they’ve become an essential part of my daily self-care routine.”

Cicconi is the founder of the Cicco Aroma brand, a plant-based and eco-friendly line that offers “self-care solutions designed to nourish the body, calm the mind and be kind to the environment.” She stocks curated vegan and cruelty-free products, but it’s her in-house products—including luscious organic body butters in scrumptious scents, recharging bath salts and healing, mood-boosting rollers inspired by her own self-care journey—that have excited loyal shoppers. The Wellness Studio by Cicco Aroma is the place where Cicconi and her team not only sell their products, but they also hold empowering workshops focusing on mindfulness, relaxation and self-awareness. “Our mission is to build a community for wellness, inspiring others to create their own care and find harmony in their lives,” she says.

After immigrating to Canada from Uganda as a teenager, Cicconi says she felt lost and isolated as a young black female in a new place. “Rediscovering myself during my university years, while facing health challenges, sparked the idea for the business. I developed wellness solutions and was inspired to promote the importance of self-care and its impact on well-being,” she says, adding she finds solace today in travelling to new places, meditation and music. “It brings me joy knowing I am contributing to a more sustainable and mindful way of living.”

Workshop stations in the studio

Cicconi’s advice for fellow business owners is also mindful—she speaks of embracing challenges as opportunities; it’s a key principle she upholds. She offers an example: Her participation in Vaughan’s My Main Street program (she was also involved in the Starter Company Plus program), and her time working with the Vaughan Business and Entrepreneurship Centre team, gave her a new outlook on her entrepreneurial journey. “I had planned to open The Wellness Studio in our fifth year of business, but when we received the grant, we decided to seize the opportunity and open in our third year. This shift required me to unlearn the notion that success was dependent on sticking to preconceived timelines and milestones,” she says. “The program also provided essential resources, allowing us to invest in equipment, marketing and administrative systems that facilitated our expansion. The main takeaway I value most is the power of community support and how collaboration leads to remarkable achievements.”

Keep an eye out for Cicco Aroma—Cicconi plans to further expand by creating a mobile experience to reach remote communities. “It’s about creating a space that embraces and supports different perspectives, cultures and ideas. My own diverse background has shaped my business, and I aim to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and empowered.”

ciccoaroma.com

7777 Weston Road, unit 158, Vaughan

Madonna and Dylan setting up for a workshop