The Power of Showing Up: A Love Letter to My Team, My Family, and My Community

The Power of Showing Up: A Love Letter to My Team, My Family, and My Community

JOI RILEY

There’s a quote I love that says, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”

At J.R Candle Company, we’re not just pouring wax, we’re pouring intention, energy, and love into every part of this business. And while the final products may carry my vision, they’re brought to life by a team of people who consistently show up, support, and serve in ways that go beyond the surface.

There are weekends, where we are at vendor events and see 100 to over 10,000 people, and let me tell you, it it beautiful chaos. But what makes it truly magical isn’t just the sales or foot traffic, it is watching my teenage son and my husband set up the room spray table like pros, with pride, patience, and partnership. They don’t just “help”, they embody support in motion.

My best friend, sister and sister-in-law (who have unofficially become JRCC staff at this point) are right there helping with setup, breakdown, and checking on me between candle classes, events and restocks. They've been a quiet backbone to so many moments you see online.

Colleagues and friends from across the city showing up, not just to say hello, but to purchase, repost, encourage, and pour back into a brand they believe in. Some even coming out to in-store events just to lend a hand or share a kind word.

And let’s not forget the family members who step in constantly — from helping run errands, dropping off items, attending vendor events, volunteering during rush hours, and yes, even helping clean up after a candle class ends.

This blog isn’t about candles. It’s about gratitude.
It’s about the kind of support you can’t pay for, because it comes from a place of love, belief, and shared vision.

To every entrepreneur reading this:
Don’t forget to say THANK YOU out loud.
To the ones who show up without you asking.
To the ones who repost your content without expecting a discount.
To the ones who help load tables and fold tablecloths at 8 a.m.
To the ones who speak your name in rooms you’re not in!

J.R Candle Company continues to grow not just because of me — but because of the incredible circle I have around me.

They believe in the dream, and they help bring it to life.

So today, I say it with my full chest:

📢 Thank you. I see you. I appreciate you. I love you.

From the bottom of my wick-filled heart 💛
– JoJo, Founder & Lead Chandler, J.R Candle Company