We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Tapia recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sarah, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I had been working at a mortuary for a few years and while i enjoyed my job and loved the people I worked with, and it was usually pretty interesting, I found my anxiety was quickly getting worse. My daughter was in her late teen years (16-19) and was “difficult” in addition to being in a new marriage, I had a lot going on to say the least. I started obsessing over time. Not having enough time. For making everyone happy and doing the things I liked to do. The things that made me happy. I lost patience with everyone and everything. I got to a point where the panic attacks were coming way too often and we’re affecting me too much to continue doing life as I was – or at all. My therapists and family rallied and emotionally brought me back to an “OK” place. I learned a bit about how I “tick”. I realized I’m a control freak and a perfectionist and I had a LOT of work to do on myself so I could just not be angry all of the time. I kept at it. I’ve stuck to retraining my brain more than I’ve stuck to anything in my life! I was determined. First thing was first. I had to leave that job. My Angel of a husband said “Do what makes you happy” – I just want you happy again.

Leaving a secure job and being so close to getting even higher up, was a risk. I went back and forth for weeks. I left the job. Which was very out of my comfort zone not being financially independent.

Anyway, I started doing the things i loved again. While doing daily therapy and relearning/retraining myself. I realized my home needed to be my happy place. By this time my daughter is 19 and moved out on her own so it’s just my husband and I. I fall in love with making candles and decided I wanted to be able to decide and make the things I put in my home while not having it look like an art classroom. I love a luxury looking interior. I learned how to make cement vessels for my candles and have always loved wood wicks so I thought that combo was just perfect. After many conversations with my husband we decided I was going to start a candle business! Everyone believed in me but I had zero faith or confidence in myself. I finally came to the conclusion that if I was crazy enough to leave my job, this couldn’t be much more scary, right??

I took the same amount of headstrong I had for fixing my mind, and doubled it. I poured it all into my business because it’s food for my soul knowing I’m working day and night to design and bring to life my ideas and visions FOR ME! And my customers appreciating and enjoying my hand made candles and home decor has been so helpful for my confidence and faith in myself. I’ve never been a risk taker. I love my comfort zone. But this risk was huge while being so worth it. I’ve learned so much about myself while creating a beautiful thriving small business.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I think I went a bit too into detail in the previous question because all of this is in there. Sorry!

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

This has been my biggest struggle. I didn’t have any loans, or financial help to start my business. I used what I had from my job in addition to paying for all of my normal personal expenses, phone, car, insurance, credit cards etc. I bought what I needed little by little. As I could. Very difficult and stressful but I knew it was the only way to avoid getting into unnecessary debt. I was patient and consistent. I had a goal and I wasn’t giving up.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn thinking I wasnt good enough, doubting myself and thinking I’d never succeed. I’m very hard on myself. I’m a perfectionist and that is a double edged sword. I’m beyond critical of myself.

A previous long term relationship with a mentally abusive person taught me all the negative things about myself and how to be so critical on myself. I did it for so long I believed that about myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.novembermoonshop.com
• Instagram: @november.moon.shop