What Didn’t Work Taught Me the Most

This past year has been nothing short of an adventure.

Running two very different businesses at the same time has stretched me, humbled me, and taught me lessons I never could have learned any other way. One business is rooted in creativity, storytelling, and product-making; the other is grounded in service, systems, and impact. Both have demanded growth—and both have given me plenty of reasons to pause, reflect, and feel grateful.

The Adventure of Building or Rebuilding

Entrepreneurship rarely moves in a straight line. Some days feel like wins stacked neatly on top of each other. Other days feel like backtracking, second-guessing, and learning the same lesson twice.

This year reminded me that building something meaningful is an ongoing experiment. You try. You adjust. You learn. And then you try again—with a little more wisdom and a lot more patience.

What Worked in Marketing

Not everything landed, but a few things consistently showed up as wins:

• Storytelling over selling. When I shared the how and why—the behind-the-scenes content attached to the memories, traditions, and inspiration behind products—people leaned in. Authentic stories created real connections.

• Showing up consistently. Markets, social posts, emails, and conversations mattered more than perfection. As a former perfectionist, I learned that doing and not being perfect is the key. Progress came from being present.

• Community-based marketing. Word-of-mouth, local events, and repeat customers proved that trust is the strongest marketing tool there is. Each day, I work to keep that trust.

• Education and value. In my service-based work, clarity and expertise built credibility far more than flashy promotion.

What Didn’t Work

Some strategies looked great on paper—but reality had other plans:

• Overextending with too many ideas at once. More products didn’t always mean more sales. In the following year, you will see this in our product line. We will introduce some new products, but some old ones will go.

• Chasing trends. Not every trending scent or product fits my brand or my customer.

• Assuming excitement equals demand. Personal enthusiasm doesn’t always translate to market readiness. This enthusiasm also extends to supporters who cheer me on, but don’t always know how it fits my brand. Understanding what my customers want is more important than personal enthusiasm for a product.

These moments weren’t failures—they were feedback.

Trying New Products & New Scents

Experimentation was both exciting and humbling.

Some products sold out quickly. Others quietly reminded me that not every idea is meant to stay. Testing new scents taught me how subjective fragrance truly is—and how important it is to listen to customers instead of guessing.

I learned:

• Small test batches matter

• Feedback is gold and should be consistently sought so that even a 1% improvement means refining the product and exceeding customers’ expectations.

  Letting go of a product is part of refining a brand

• Timing also matters. Knowing what our target customers want and when is a critical piece to launching new products.

Every product that didn’t perform still served a purpose—it taught me something I needed to know.

Still Learning, Still Growing

Both businesses continue to evolve. Systems improve. Branding sharpens. Confidence grows. I’m learning how to pivot without panic, how to rest without guilt, and how to celebrate progress even when it feels small.

If there’s one truth I’m carrying forward, it’s this:

I am still learning—and that’s exactly where I’m supposed to be. I know that learning is a constant and holds so much truth that it will sustain me through many more years.

Gratitude Above All

I’m grateful for:

• Customers who support, encourage, and return

• Conversations that spark new ideas

• Lessons disguised as setbacks

• The courage to keep going when things don’t work

This year wasn’t about perfection. It was about progress.

As I look ahead to a new year, I’m carrying the lessons with me—not just the wins, but the experiments that didn’t work, the ideas that needed refining, and the moments that required patience. Growth didn’t come from getting it right every time; it came from staying open to learning.

So as you step into your next season—whether in business, creativity, or life—I’ll ask you this:

What worked for you this past year? What didn’t? And what lessons are you grateful for as you move forward?

Sometimes reflection is the first step toward what’s next.

Why Shopping Small Matters More Than Ever

There’s something special about stepping into a local market, walking past tables full of handmade goods, and meeting the people who pour their heart into every product. It’s a feeling you can’t replicate in a big-box store—the sense that your purchase is more than a transaction. It’s a moment of connection, a ripple of support that stretches far beyond the item in your hand.

As a small business owner myself—after spending nearly a decade working in the public sector—I’ve come to understand the true impact of shopping small and local. It’s not just about keeping money in the community. It’s about nurturing dreams, supporting families, and building the kind of local economy where everyone has the chance to thrive.

And with Small Business Saturday here this weekend, it’s the perfect reminder of how powerful your support truly is.

🌱 How Shopping Small Helps Businesses Grow

Every time you choose to shop locally, you’re strengthening the roots of a small business. Whether it’s a candle, a ceramic mug, freshly baked pan dulce, or a handcrafted charm, your purchase helps an entrepreneur grow brick by brick.

For small businesses:

• It means we can restock products faster.

• It helps us scale thoughtfully.

• It gives us the confidence to show up at more markets.

• It allows us to invest in better materials, equipment, and opportunities.

• It allows us to hire staff who we can pay a living wage.

Unlike large corporations, small businesses don’t have deep resources or massive factories behind them. What we do have is passion, grit, and community—and your support fuels all three.

🏪 Big Box Stores vs. Small Shops — The Pros & Cons

Let’s be honest—big box stores have their place. They’re convenient. They offer one-stop shopping. Sometimes they’re the easiest option for busy families.

Pros of Big Box Stores:

• Convenience and quick access

• Lower prices from large-scale manufacturing

• Broad product variety

But here’s the flip side…

Cons for the Local Economy:

• Revenue often leaves the community instead of staying local

• Limited personal connection

• Goods are usually mass-produced with little uniqueness

When you shop small, your dollars work harder. A study by various local economic groups shows that up to 68% of money spent locally stays in the community, versus about 43% when spent at big retailers. That means more local jobs, more community events, and stronger neighborhood growth.

Local businesses also pay local taxes—sales tax, permit fees, property tax—that directly support schools, roads, libraries, and city resources. When small businesses succeed, the entire town feels it.

That impact is why Small Business Saturday is so important. It’s a day dedicated to lifting up the makers, dreamers, and hardworking owners who give our communities their identity.

💛 From Public Service to Small Business: What It Means to Me

After years working in the public sector, serving communities and helping programs grow, I’ve carried those lessons with me into entrepreneurship. I learned:

• the value of consistency,

• the weight of responsibility,

• how important it is to treat people with care,

• and what it truly means to show up—even on the hardest days.

Mi Madre Candle Co was born out of tradition, tribute, and memory, but it has grown because of the people around me. Every market conversation, every returning customer, every “this reminds me of home” moment—it all reminds me why I do this.

The dreams behind a small business are deeply personal. They’re handwritten. They’re stitched together by early mornings, late nights, and the hope that someone out there will connect with what you’ve made. So when someone chooses to shop from me—especially during weekends like Small Business Saturday—it’s never taken lightly. It means everything.

🤝 The Community Behind the Craft

One of the most beautiful surprises of starting a business has been joining a community of creators who uplift each other. Local makers don’t compete—we collaborate. We celebrate. We cheer each other on.

I’m thankful to support so many talented entrepreneurs, including:

• Prep Yo Self - meal planning with care and thoughtfulness

• Ellen C. Duvall Ceramics — stunning, soulful ceramics made by a dear friend

• Glow Con Amor — beautifully formulated skincare with heart and soul

• Sip Society — handmade cups and purse charms that brighten your day

• Panhaus — authentic Mexican bread that tastes like home

• Rebecca Candelas — an insurance agent who really cares about finding you the best insurance products and solutions

• Drinkle Coffee (Austin, Conservation Lane) — a cozy spot filled with creativity and community

• Mi Mundo Coffeehouse & Roastery (Round Rock) — serving love, warmth, and incredible brews

These businesses inspire me, remind me why community matters, and represent the heartbeat of our local economy.

✨ Closing Thoughts

When you shop small, you’re not just buying a product—you’re investing in a dream. You’re keeping creativity alive. You’re helping build a stronger, more connected community.

This Small Business Saturday, and every day you choose local, thank you for supporting small businesses like ours. Your support means more than I can ever put into words.