Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Paola Gonzalez. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Paola, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

Starting my small business, Lady Earth Candle Co., was a leap of faith. I knew from the beginning that pursuing this dream would come with risks just like any major life decision. But I was ready to take that chance because I’ve always been passionate about creating and inspired by the idea of being a businesswoman. What truly gave me the confidence to take that step was the unwavering support of my family and friends. They’ve been my foundation throughout this journey, and I know I couldn’t have done it without them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

The idea of making candles came to me in 2022. At the time, I was working three 12-hour shifts a week, which left me with a lot of free time. I had always known I wanted to be a businesswoman, but I wasn’t sure exactly what direction to take. One day, a friend casually mentioned candle making along with a few other ideas, but that one stuck with me. That night, I looked around my room and realized I already had nine candles. That’s when it clicked: I love candles! I started doing research, learning everything I could about the process, and shared the idea with my family. They were incredibly supportive from the very beginning. I spent that year saving money, testing products, and learning the ins and outs of candle making. In January 2023, I officially launched Lady Earth Candle Co. My goal from day one has been to create non-toxic candles that actually fill your space with fragrance. I noticed that many store-bought candles had a weak scent, tunneled badly, and often weren’t made with clean ingredients. I wanted to change that. I focus on creating candles that are: non-toxic, made with clean, high-quality ingredients,
scented well, with a strong hot and cold throw, and are properly wicked, to avoid tunneling and ensure an even burn. Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that mistakes are part of the process and that’s okay. Each challenge helps me grow, both as a business owner and as a person. I pour a lot of time, care, and intention into every candle I make so that others can enjoy a beautiful product they can feel good about burning in their homes. I truly love what I do, and I hope to one day turn Lady Earth Candle Co. into my full-time career.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

One of the biggest things that has helped me grow my clientele is participating in local markets. I genuinely love doing markets, not just because they help get my business out there, but because I truly enjoy meeting new people and seeing their reactions when they see or smell my candles in person. Markets have been a great way to build brand awareness and connect directly with my community. Having business cards readily available at my booth has also made a big difference. It allows people to follow me on Instagram and stay connected, which has helped me grow a loyal and supportive customer base over time.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When I first launched my Instagram page, I was so excited. It felt like my candle business was finally coming to life, and everything was falling into place. I was slowly but surely building my clientele and starting to see real growth. Then one day, my account was hacked and I couldn’t recover it. It was incredibly discouraging. It felt like all the hard work I had put in had disappeared overnight. I remember feeling defeated, like I had taken ten steps backward. But deep down, I knew I couldn’t let that be the end of my journey. I reminded myself that setbacks are part of the process and that they don’t define the outcome. So, I made the decision to start fresh. I created a new account and began rebuilding from scratch. Looking back now, I’m proud of myself for not giving up. That experience taught me resilience, and it reminded me how important it is to keep pushing forward, even when things don’t go as planned. It was just another step in the journey toward achieving my dream.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Ladyearthco_