When the Candles Shatter: Lessons from a Boss, Mom & Maker
Guess what? I dropped three candles today in the studio.
Not one. Not two. Three!
Glass cracked. Wax splattered. My ego… shattered right along with them.
I stood there in the middle of the mess, half shocked, half annoyed and then I laughed. Because, honestly, what else do you do when you’re a full-time entrepreneur juggling motherhood, marriage, studio life, a storefront, and your sanity... and then gravity decides to humble you?
But here’s the real story behind the break.
Lesson #1: Things (and plans) break. Keep going anyway.
Running a business like J.R Candle Company means constantly adapting. Sometimes it’s a supply delay. Other times it’s a labeling misprint or, yep—dropping a tray of beautifully poured, not-even-cured candles.
But I’ve learned that in both business and life, the goal isn’t perfection, it’s persistence.
So I cleaned up the shards, reminded myself that grace is part of growth, and then...
I lit a candle!
Lesson #2: Scent is therapy. Crackle is calm.
There’s something powerful about lighting a candle after chaos.
The coconut apricot crème wax I use is soft, luxe, and clean-burning just what I needed in that moment. I chose one of my favorite scents with calming notes of lavender and sandalwood, lit that FSC-certified wooden wick, and let the gentle crackle pull me back to center.
That sound? It’s not just ambiance. It’s energy-shifting.
Lesson #3: You can be the boss and still need a moment.
As a CEO, mom, wife, and creative, I wear a lot of hats, and some days, I feel like they’re all sliding off at once. I’m learning to be okay with taking a moment. A deep breath. A reset. Lighting a candle, playing a chill playlist, or even stepping outside for a few minutes.
We’re allowed to pause. In fact, we need it.
Lesson #4: Resilience looks like remaking the candles—with a little extra attitude.
Yes, I remade all three candles. I repoured the wax, rewicked the jars, relabeled with love (and a side-eye to gravity), and got back to it.
But this time, I did it slower. With more intention. I thought about the customer who will light this candle, who might be in their messy moment and need a little peace too.
A gentle reminder for you (and me):
Let the candle burn.
Let the scent soothe.
Let the crackle calm.
Then… get back to your greatness.
From the broken glass to the big wins, this journey is layered and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. (But I might bubble-wrap everything tomorrow, just in case. 😅)
✨ Your Turn:
💬 Tell me about a time things didn’t go as planned... what got you through it?
🕯️ Need your own moment of calm? Shop our signature candles, room sprays, and wax melts.
🎟️ Book a candle-making experience or ask about private label for your business.
📍Located in St. Louis — shipping nationwide
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With gratitude and light,
Joi Riley
Founder + Lead Chandler
J.R Candle Company
