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

Alright, Michelle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

My husband and I purchased a farm on a dirt road in the spring of 2016. We had worked SO HARD to get to the point of owning farm ground and we were so proud of ourselves. That farm is our little slice of heaven on earth. When I started pouring candles, Dirt Road Candle Co. just felt like home!

Michelle, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a farm girl from SW Iowa, who married a farmer. My love for our farm and providing food sources for our growing population runs deep, and so does my love for making things with my hands. I spent 10 years in corporate America post-college working in different facets of the Ag industry, but found myself needing a creative outlet on nights and weekends.

In the fall of 2016, I was restless and craving pumpkin smells so I started researching and experimenting how to make my own candles. Why candles? To put it simply, I’ve always been a fan. Other than the obvious perk of making your home smell amazing, there is something about lighting a candle that really sets the mood. That little flame can really enhance the level of cozy and comfort within your home, and transform a space when styled with other pieces. Styling a candle with a couple books or a fresh bouquet of flowers on a decorative tray on your coffee table sets the cozy vibe to 10. You’ll find yourself grabbing a blanket to cuddle up and stay all day!

What started out with candles has turned into so much more. DRCC now makes products for your pets, to hand soaps that will leave you sniffing your hands long after you wash them, to car freshies keeping your space smelling good on the go. We are constantly looking for and testing new ways to bring you the good smells. More than anything, making connections with you is what it’s all about! I love hearing how the candle you purchased brought a smile to your face, or a little extra love into your home.

It is truly an honor for my girl gang and I to hand make each one of these products from our farm.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My position was eliminated in a corporate restructure in 2018 and I used my severance pay to fund my Dirt Road Candle Co. branding and initial raw materials to launch my online business. It was also one of those pivotal moments in my life where I realized that I wanted to be in control of my earning potential and ultimately my career.

For the next two years I continued to work in corporate, and on nights and weekends built Dirt Road Candle Co. In June of 2020, I left my corporate position and I haven’t looked back since!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In my corporate years I was always in a sales role. I learned so much from my time there about how to build relationships with people and how to get people to know, like and trust you. I never really considered myself great at sales, however I was always really great at relationships.

Converting that to social media seemed like a natural fit for me. I showed up as who I really was, talked about things I liked, and it grew into an audience that was into those same things, too.

Dirt Road Candle Co. is so much more than candles and things that smell good. It’s about a way of life. Social media gives me an outlet to find people who want to engage with that.

Long story short, I grew my social following by being myself. I didn’t get caught up in trends or what everyone else was doing, but stayed true to what was authentic to me and my life. I also showed up, consistently, and didn’t give up.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopdirtroadcandleco.com
• Instagram: dirtroadcandleco
• Facebook: Dirt Road Candle Co.
• Other: TikTok: dirtroadcandleco

Image Credits
Mikinna Kerns @mkerns.photo on IG Whitney Warne @ivoryhousephotography on IG