Sea Love is a boutique franchise that blends coastal charm with immersive, hands-on experiences. Founded in 2017 by Stacy and Barry Miller on the southern coast of Maine, the brand began as a personal quest for clean-burning candles due to Barry’s asthma.

This passion project evolved into a thriving business, leading to the launch of Sea Love's franchising program in 2022. The company is headquartered in Biddeford, Maine, and has expanded to multiple locations across the United States.

Sea Love offers a unique combination of a candle bar and boutique retail experience. Customers engage in scent-blending workshops, crafting personalized candles guided by Certified Scent Stylists.

What sets Sea Love apart is its focus on creating memorable experiences that foster community and connection. The interactive nature of the candle-making process encourages repeat visits and customer loyalty.

Training

Sea Love offers a structured and multi-phase training system designed to prepare franchisees thoroughly for business operations. The programs involve a mix of classroom learning, on-the-job instruction, and remote conferencing. Below are the numbered training programs provided:

1. Initial Training Program
   Franchisees, specifically the Managing Owner and one manager, must complete the initial training program to the franchisor’s satisfaction before opening. The program may be conducted in person or remotely, and includes business operations, system standards, and management procedures.
2. Supplemental Training
   Upon request or if deemed necessary by the franchisor, franchisees may participate in additional on-site or virtual training. This training incurs a supplemental fee of $300 per trainer per day, plus travel and accommodation costs.
3. Refresher and System-Wide Training
   Franchisees are required to attend ongoing refresher courses and system-wide training programs as periodically designated by the franchisor. These sessions help ensure continued compliance and performance improvement.

Territory Protection

Sea Love grants its franchisees a protected territory referred to as the “Designated Territory.” This area is typically the smaller of a one-mile radius from the boutique or a population-based region encompassing 100,000 people.

If the boutique is located in a unique venue like a shopping mall, the territory may be restricted to the boundaries of that venue. The franchisor agrees not to open or authorize another boutique using the Sea Love brand within the Designated Territory, provided the franchisee remains compliant with the agreement.

However, the territory protection is not absolute. Sea Love retains the right to market and sell through other channels, including e-commerce, catalog, and direct marketing, even within the franchisee’s territory.