Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Clark
Hi Brianna, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2017 I started a candle business called Glow Candle Bar while I was still living in Charlotte, NC. For about 5 years I had a very successful business, but I was burnt out! I decided that I was going to close Glow before I began hating it. In June of 2021, I packed my stuff up and moved to Austin, unsure what I would do next. I’d always been creative and loved using my hands to make things but, I couldn’t figure out what to do. At that time, I had begun a business called Blossom and Bloom (I sold wholesale home decor) which I was starting to realize, didn’t feel truly aligned.
I can’t quite remember how I came up with the idea of teaching candle classes because I used to have the worst social anxiety! But, I do remember being terrified for my first few and practicing what I was going to say in the shower and stumbling over my words because I had never been on this level before but I was just growing and growing and it felt amazing. My first few classes were 2-6 people at a time, and at first, I was kind of sad but, I realized I needed to get comfortable with myself first and that the people would eventually come, and boy did they! I didn’t have any branding or actual name for my classes (I’d change it each time) and so in November of 2022, I decided on Wax, Wicks, and Wine. Once I got clear on what and who we were, I saw my classes go from 2 people to 30 people and sold out AND a waitlist. Wax, Wicks, and Wine gave me the permission to lean into myself and who I am in this chapter of my life. It also helped me find community in Austin, which is an entirely other story for another time.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely not! With any business, I had to learn a lot about business and being a small business owner. Taxes, Invoices, all that craziness. But aside from that, the mental and spiritual growth I had to grow through (and still) was harder than anything I ever experienced. I had to really get out of my shell and my head, being in charge of folks and them listening and holding on to every word you say creates a little bit of nervousness. I was second guessing myself, wondering if I was doing the right thing, wondering if they were enjoying themselves, wondering if I told them to trim their wicks before they light their candle all of these things might seem small to someone else, but to me, it was life or death. I had to push myself to a level I had never been before, public speaking was not my greatest attribute, but I was determined to be this new version of myself so I kept going. Failing forward and learning along the way.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Wax Wicks and Wine?
Wax, Wicks and Wine (WW&W) is a candle-making workshop based in Austin, TX. We hold monthly workshops where our attendees create their own candle, and while they are doing that, they also have the opportunity to taste different wines from local wine bars around Austin. We’re known for candle-making, creating, and community. Each class, whether it’s our monthly or private workshop, we always meet someone who has either just moved here, has been here for a while, and is looking to meet other people, we’ve had first dates and anniversaries, bachelorettes, and teams come out to create with us. WW&W is a safe space for creating and community-building, and that’s what I’m most proud of and what sets us apart. It’s not just about making a candle and going on your way, we educate, whether it’s through the candles, wines, or self-care, we’re growing into a space that folks want and need to come to when they are in Austin.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I always love a collab! To collaborate, reaching out via email is always the best way. I check my email more than I check my texts.
Pricing:
- $60 PP for our Monthly workshops
- Pricing varies for Private workshops
Contact Info:
- Website: https://waxwicksandwine.mailerpage.io/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waxwicksandwine/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567201704773
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@waxwicksandwine
Image Credits
Michael Gail Photography
