Why I Joined Candle Business Pro

(And Why, if You're a Candle Maker, You Might Want to, Too)

August 05, 2025

I come from a family of entrepreneurs. My parents run a heavy equipment business, and my brothers both work for themselves in TV and film. In my own career, I’ve spent years in corporate leadership roles, managing global multi-million dollar cybersecurity programs and solving complex problems.

 

But starting a retail product-based business? That’s a whole different beast.

 

The first time I poured a candle, I thought I had a solid handle on things. After all, I understood operations, logistics, and strategic planning. What I didn’t expect was how overwhelming and lonely it can feel when you’re the one making every decision, wearing every hat, and trying to learn an entirely new industry from scratch.

 

Running a small product business can feel like wandering through a forest with no trail markers. If you've ever stood in your workspace surrounded by wax, wicks, to-do lists, and self-doubt, you're not alone. I’ve been there more times than I can count.

 

That’s why a few months ago, I joined Candle Business Pro. I didn’t do it because I thought it would magically fix everything. And I certainly didn’t do it because I had extra money lying around. Truthfully, the business isn’t exactly rolling in cash right now. I joined because I was tired of feeling like I was building this thing in isolation. Without a map. Without a community. And without much clarity on how to move forward.

 

I’d like to think I’m pretty capable. I’ve led teams, briefed executives, and handled pressure-heavy moments in both military and civilian settings. I’ve been in rooms where multi-million dollar decisions were made. But somehow, none of that quite prepared me for the kind of decision fatigue that comes with running a small product business on your own.

 

In the beginning, I told myself, “I’ve got this.” I read the blogs. Watched the tutorials (anyone else binge-watch Memory Box or Black Tie Barn videos?). Tried to reverse-engineer successful shops and figure it out as I went. But retail has a rhythm of its own. And when you're not just the maker but also the marketer, accountant, photographer, packer, designer, and customer service rep, that rhythm can become chaos.

 

There came a point where I realized I didn’t need more random advice or generic motivational posts. I’m not throwing shade at anyone I learned from along the way, but I needed structure. Guidance. A space to ask the weird questions without feeling judged. I needed community.

 

And that’s what I found in Candle Business Pro.

More than Just Tutorials

Candle Business Pro is a monthly membership created for candle makers by a candle maker. It's packed with education, community support, and practical tools that help you grow a real business—not just a hobby that eats all your time and money.

 

When you join, you get:

  • Monthly candle business workshops on everything from SEO to scaling your business.
  • Access to an exclusive member group where people actually share helpful feedback and insights (not just promo posts)
  • Guest experts from different parts of the handmade and small business world
  • Business templates, social media prompts, and planning tools that take some of the mental load off your plate
  • A growing library of past workshop replays, so you can learn at your own pace

They also have a library of expanding workshops and courses you can check out including:

At first, I joined thinking I’d just poke around the resources, maybe watch a few workshops, and quietly slip out if it wasn’t a fit. What I didn’t expect was how much I’d value the people inside. Makers at every stage. From those just starting out to folks running six-figure candle businesses. All, showing up with honesty, encouragement, and hard-earned lessons.

 

I wasn’t just watching videos or sitting on salesy Zoom calls. I was learning how to think differently about my business.

 

Things like:

  • How to stop spinning my wheels and start setting realistic goals.
  • How to show up in marketing without feeling fake or pushy.
  • How to price for sustainability instead of survival.
  • How to manage the emotional weight of slow sales or creative burnout.
  • How to view growth not as overnight success, but steady, intentional progress.

There are so many hidden costs to entrepreneurship that no one talks about. Especially when you're trying to build something with meaning and integrity. And having a place where that’s acknowledged and addressed has been, honestly, a relief.

You Don’t Have to Know Everything Right Away

One of the biggest shifts for me has been letting go of the idea that I should already know what I’m doing. That mindset will wear you down fast. Candle Business Pro reminded me that it’s okay to be in process. To build slowly. To learn as you go. And that there is nothing wrong with getting some support along the way.

 

That doesn’t mean it’s easy. I still wrestle with doubt. I still wonder if this thing I’m building will be sustainable in the long run. But now, I feel like I’m walking that path with a few more tools in my bag and a few more people alongside me who actually get it.

Why I Think It’s Worth Trying (Even If You're Not Making Much Yet)

I joined Candle Business Pro during a tough season. I’m in the midst of a major relaunch for Clear Mountain Provisions, moving away from in-person markets toward e-commerce and a permanent retail booth. Revenue is inconsistent. Energy is sometimes low. And some days, I’m not even sure if this thing still has a future.

 

But that’s exactly when structure and support matter most.

 

What I’ve found in this membership is not just information. It’s direction. It’s encouragement. It’s reminders that I’m not the only one figuring things out while wearing all the hats. Even if you just commit to trying it for three months, taking the workshops, and showing up inside the member group, I think you’ll walk away with something useful.

This Isn’t a Shortcut—It’s a Support System

You still have to do the work. You still have to experiment, make mistakes, and learn what works for your business. But you don’t have to do it completely alone.

 

If you’ve been thinking about leveling up your candle business, I genuinely think this is worth checking out. Yes, it’s an investment, but if you’re serious about building something meaningful, it might be one of the best tools you give yourself.

 

I’m happy to chat more if you’re on the fence. I’ll never pretend to have it all figured out, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that building a business—especially one that’s purpose-driven—isn’t meant to be done in a vacuum.

Learn more about Candle Business Pro here.

Join Candle Business Pro

Lighting the way to a greener future.