Hi!
We're Ingrid and Erica, the co-founders behind The New Savant.
Ingrid began her career in beauty in 2009 as one of the first YouTube creators. She spent the next 11 years building a community of millions, working with the biggest brands in the world, winning awards, and challenging societal expectations of queerness and beauty.
Erica worked for CBS News, Twitter, Google, and MTV. She was at the forefront of technology's impact on the news industry and architected many deals and products still in use today.
Both of us had incredibly sucessful careers...
But something was missing.
After years of creating in the digital space, we craved something tangible.
Something that could bring beauty and comfort into everyday life.
Little did we know that this search would lead us to fragrance.
November 9, 2020
Ingrid turned half of her apartment into a science lab and taught herself how to make scented candles. This was her medium for expressing her creativity.
She tested countless vessels and materials before landing on the perfect recipe.
But slowly...
Candles took over the apartment.
(Ingrid made so many candles that Erica had to build a makeshift closet to hold them all.)
From this corner, we started a business that has added a (much needed!) new perspective to the traditionally male, Eurocentric fragrance industry. In December of 2020 we took a leap and launched The New Savant with 500 candles.
They sold out in 7 mintues!
Ingrid Nilsen
Ingrid Nilsen is the Chief Creative Officer and Co-Founder of The New Savant.
A lifelong creative and a one-time college dropout, Ingrid spent 10+ years pioneering the beauty and media economy as a YouTube creator. She helped build an inclusive space for her 6+ million followers by creating lifestyle and beauty content that encouraged radical self-acceptance, challenged cultural norms, and embraced change through personal growth.
Since retiring as a professional content creator in June 2020, Ingrid has been reconnecting to her roots as a maker, crafting candles by hand, mixing scents, and dreaming up THE NEW SAVANT. This new chapter is an homage to her untraditional, self-made path in life.
Erica Anderson
Erica Anderson is the CEO and Co-Founder of The New Savant.
Erica has worked for CBS News, Twitter, Google, and MTV. As one of the original Twitter employees, Erica pioneered things such as satellite codes to enable journalists to Tweet from war zones. What she loved most about this chapter was the infinite possibility to do good.
She's been named to Fortune's 40 Under 40 in Media and Entertainment, among other honors.
Now, Erica gets to realize a life-long dream of creating and running a business. She loves developing businesses that inspire her, especially those that can bring people a sense of ease and joy.
Anyone Can Be a New Savant
The New Savant is for the curious. The original thinkers. For those who dare to be themselves, even when it means standing out.
It’s a name we chose to honor the self-made path in life, and it’s one that belongs to everyone who challenges expectations.
Making a New Kind of Scent
Our sense of smell is powerful. It can unlock memories, influence our emotions, and can even be strengthened over time, just like a muscle. There’s no end to what we can smell—and we’re out to prove it.
At The New Savant, we craft daring fragrances that transport you to emotional destinations. Working closely with a team of talented perfumers, Ingrid draws on her imagination to create unique fragrances you won’t smell anywhere else, sparking a conversation that continues with you.
A Way to Hit Pause
The world moves at a fast pace, and it can be hard to keep up. At The New Savant, our goal is to slow things down, creating exceptional analog experiences that spark conversations.
Our Brooklyn studio serves as our homebase and our incubator, where we dream up new products, connect with our community, and add in those personal touches as we box up orders.
Our products
We create one-of-a-kind olfactory experiences infused with personality. Our products are made using vegan ingredients and high-quality materials.
Our community
We value connection and relationships built on openness, kindness, and mutual respect. We believe in being flexible, because there’s always something new to learn.
Our business
We take pride in the integrity of our craft, prioritizing long-term sustainability and conscious growth. We take things slowly, and build with intention.
