About Us

My name is Menyi Foretia, named after my paternal grandmother and I am the founder of Benmar Creations. My dad would often describe me as "gentle and caring as his wife (my mother) but resilient and tough as his mother." If you ever met and knew these two women you would understand better. 

In 2022, my family moved from Minnesota to Texas to enjoy the all year round warmer weather. With the move, I missed the hustle and bustle of the community, and religious and cultural groups I was a part of in Minnesota. Thinking about what to do with my spare time, I decided on something creative that I would enjoy...scents. The seed was planted and the idea turned into a small business project. The journey to creating this online store hasn't been easy but it's been worth it.

From an early age I was exposed to scents due to my mom’s love of flowers and fragrances. I remember her flower-bed rows of roses and other flowers around the house, the hibiscus flower in the front yard, avocado (pear) trees, papaya (paupau) trees, plantain trees, etc. Ma Mary loved various scents…deodorants, perfumes, soaps, body washes and lotions. She could never have enough of them.

Benmar is named after my parents, Bernard (Ben, BTB) and Mary Foretia who sacrificed a lot to give me a secure and loving childhood and the best education. I will forever be grateful and appreciative of the sacrifices they made for my siblings and myself. Creations is a nod to the creative idea behind the products that are handcrafted, hand poured, and locally made in the suburbs of Dallas, Texas. The tag line "Channeling memories through scents..." is the collaborative work of my sister, 'Ellebe' and myself. 

***The Birth Collection Set is a set of candles named after cities of major significance in my life journey. 

Buea Classic represents the city of my birth, Buea, in the South West Region of Cameroon, Africa. This herbal/earthy scent is reminiscent of a fireside on the camping trail of the Buea Mountain (Mount Fako, Mount Cameroon). Mount Fako, an active volcano, is the highest mountain in Western Africa.

Limbe Breeze represents the city of my childhood and youth. My parents moved from Buea shortly after my birth to the coastal city of Limbe in the South West Region of Cameroon. Memories of the hibiscus flower and my mom's roses are edged in my memory forever. This floral scent is the one I love most.

Pavia Vivia represents the city of my adulthood. Vivia means life in Italian (Pavia Life). Pavia is a city in the Lombardy Region of Northern Italy. Here I would discover the lavender scent and Italian wine. It is also the most loved scent of my brother, 'Lebou.' 

***The Holiday Escape Collection Set is a set of candles reminiscent of the cities I visited during summer (third term or long term) holidays.

Kumba Spice is a scent that pays tribute to the lively community of Kumba in the South West Region of Cameroon. The people of Kumba are known for their exuberant zest for life, and they embrace every moment to the fullest without apology. Many of my family members and friends from middle and high school call Kumba their home, and it holds a special place in my heart. As a child, I often had the pleasure of spending time with my cousins from Kumba during our summer holidays in Limbe.

Douala Vibes is a rich and luxurious scent that captures the essence of the economic capital of Cameroon. Located in the Littoral Region, Douala is a bustling city known for its vibrant energy and lively atmosphere. During some of my summer vacations, I had the pleasure of staying with my dad's cousin, who was the manager of a luxury hotel in Douala. I have fond memories of spending time in this hotel and hanging out with my childhood friends who were residents of Douala.

Cool Bamenda is a scent that celebrates the vibrant culture of the city of Bamenda, located in the North West Region of Cameroon. Known for its cool climate and scenic hills, Bamenda is a city rich in cultural heritage. I have had the pleasure of spending a couple of my summer holidays with my family in Bamenda, and I recall the city's lively atmosphere, filled with colorful cultural artifacts, dances, and diverse cuisine.

***The Family Love Collection Set comprises a selection of candles that draw inspiration from noteworthy individuals who have embarked on, and some continue to navigate with me, the journey of my life.

"The most important thing in the world is family and love.” – John Wooden

Padre Amato (Beloved Father) is a scent named in loving memory of my biological father, Pa BTB Foretia, and my uncles, Pa Bernie Fomengia and Fr. Etienne Nkumbah, may they find eternal peace in Christ and ascend to glory. Additionally, in heartfelt tribute to my surrogate father, Deacon Ralph L, and the compassionate guidance and support offered by these esteemed priests during the most challenging moments of my life: Fr. Robert B, Fr. Donald D, Fr. Daniel B, and Fr. Peter-Elvis M.

Cherish Ellebe represents my ever always optimistic and faith-filled sister and beloved auntie to my kids. This delightful blend of a zesty lemony fragrance, coupled with the warmth of sugar, beautifully characterizes my sister, who holds a special place in my heart.

Cara Lisa is a tribute to my cherished and close friend, often referred to as my "sister-from-another-mother." It's quite amusing that my son grew up believing we were true siblings, despite the obvious differences that made it an impossibility.

***The Reed Diffuser Set is a throwback to other cities of importance in my life.

Yaounde Turf represents Yaounde, the capital of Cameroon in the Center Region. My eldest sister, uncles, and cousins lived in Yaounde for many years and I would often visit them. 

Roma Amata represents the first city of my travels, leaving Cameroon for "greener pastures." Amata means loved in Italian. Rome is the capital of Italy and of the Lazio Region. It is where the Vatican City is located and as a Marian daughter it is of great significance to me.

Perugia Trapasso represents my introduction to adulthood. Perugia is the capital city of Umbria in central Italy. It's a melting pot for foreigners who want to study the Italian language. Trapasso means passing (or passage) in Italian. Perugia was a transitional city and I spent less than a year there.

Varese Tempo represents a period or time (tempo in Italian) during my stay in Italy. Varese is a city in northwestern Lombardy, northern Italy. I would spend less than 4 years in Varese.

In conclusion, scented candles and reed diffusers are popular choices for enhancing the ambiance and mental well-being of homes and offices. Our company is dedicated to offering creative, authentic, and high-quality products that provide a delightful sensory experience and cater to every style and preference. We believe that everyone deserves a cozy and inviting space, and we are proud to help you achieve that through our scented candles and reed diffusers.

Thank you for considering our products, and we look forward to serving you.