Today we’d like to introduce you to Marissa Manning
Hi Marissa, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi there!
I am Marissa Manning, the owner and maker of Shine Bright Candle Co. I live just outside of Greenville, IL with my husband and daughter. If you asked me a few years ago if this is where I expected to be, I would have said, “Absolutely not.”! Being a girl that went to college for Criminal Justice Studies, becoming a stay-at-home mom & candle maker was not necessarily on my radar!
My story comes from God working for us throughout our lives, pushing us to where we need to be, even when we don’t recognize it in the moment. I grew up in Staunton, IL and moved over to the Greenville area a few years back when my husband and I got married.
After giving birth to our daughter in 2023, I went back to my 9-5 job and found myself deeply struggling with separation from my daughter as she went off to daycare. She had some of the most amazing teachers, but I felt like I wasn’t getting any quality time with her. She was a “crap napper”, and when I would pick her up, she would have to nap on me for an hour or 2, since she would barely nap at daycare. Our awake time together through the week was mainly spent during dinner and preparing for bed. I began to fall into a mild depression and stopped doing things for myself. I wanted to make sure I got that quality time I was longing for, which caused me to give up my hobbies and spend my weekends at home completely. My husband and I recognized that this wasn’t going to work as time went on, because I started to spiral further into this “mode”. As people of action, we figured out a way to make it work so I could stay home full-time raising our daughter. I recognize I am so fortunate to be able to do this and I know that isn’t the case for everyone.
I have always been a candle lover and thought about making them in the past for a hobby. Having my daughter and needing to find a creative outlet for myself gave me that push to finally take the plunge and give this small business a go! After a lot of research, I also realized that the majority of store-bought candles I’ve purchased in the past are loaded with chemicals. This led me to using a 100% soy wax as a much friendlier/cleaner alternative to paraffin (what is usually found in box stores), find wicks that are lead and zinc free, and utilize fragrance oils that are heavily tested to be as clean as possible in the industry. I’m trying to make small changes here for my daughter’s well-being and wanted to make sure I brought a product to market to do the same.
So now, here I am, making candles that I hope bring light and joy into others’ lives. I hope to teach my daughter many lessons as she grows through this business: customer service, strategy and planning, networking, marketing, and so much more. I am now also able to assist with duties in my church and get more connected with my community, which are 2 aspects of my life that I felt weren’t being fulfilled in the past. Little did I know that this would be exactly where I needed to be.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I don’t think starting a small business is ever easy. There are so many moving parts in each different industry.
As for this business, testing/researching our products takes up a ton of time (not to mention the cost). Start-up costs are hefty to build up a necessary inventory. You have to learn different laws in regard to your products – like labelling requirements, for example. Business filing processes and requirements differ state-to-state. Somewhere in there, you have to learn all about taxes and get proper insurance. There are so many little things up front that I’m sure I’ve forgotten more than a few.
Then, you have your continual and ever-changing issues to think about. In the candle industry, we always want to make sure we’re planning at least a season ahead. Websites, design, marketing, and social media all take time. I just began offering shipping as of September 1, which is just another world of research, trial and error, and learning!
I’m hoping to start offering wax melts next year, on top of new seasonal and signature scents – so more research & testing is coming my way! Let me just say, I have to use nap times and evenings wisely!
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Shine Bright Candle Co.?
Shine Bright Candle Co. is a Christ-centered small business crafting soy candles. My hope is that when you light, smell, or see these candles, they inspire you to let your own light shine too!
Matthew 5:15-16 says, “Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.” With Christ at the center of my life, I wanted to make sure that I built my company rooted in Him and His great works. Shine Bright Candle Co. is not just about letting the light shine through our candles, but also inspiring us to let our own lights shine!
Currently, I carry two different sized candles in a variety of scents. I create my own blends with different fragrance oils, making all of the candles you find with us unique in their own way. While I heavily focus on fruity & fresh scents (or other scents that inspire me), I also bring in seasonal blends. I aim for you to find a sense of joy, peace, and nostalgia in our candles! I am hoping to begin crafting wax melts in early 2025 and will have many changes in our lineup over the course of the next year. Our Signature Series is available year-round, while I also have a Fall Collection, Holiday Collection, & Summertime Collection! I just began selling in May 2024, so it has been a busy time of continually planning for what is coming next!
Our candles are made with 100% soy wax, wicks that are lead and zinc free, and fragrance oils that contain NO phalates, NO carcinogens, NO acute toxins, NO organ toxins, NO reproductive toxins, and NO mutagens. We offer local pickup in Greenville, IL & Staunton, IL and recently began shipping through our website! I am so excited to see what the future holds and am so thankful for all of the support along the way!
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Lift one another up!
For me, going to local events has been beneficial in more ways than one. I have met SO MANY amazing people and have found out about multiple events because I have made connections with others. I make sure to notify others of upcoming events and they have done the same for me. Talk to other people in your same line of business at events – it doesn’t need to be a competition; we can all succeed! We may find ourselves having a creative block, issues with our suppliers, you name it! Having connections with others who may be going through the same types of situations helps us all get through those tough times together. I am so thankful for everyone I have met in the short time I have been going to events!
I have found a ton of helpful information on support/resource groups on social media (Facebook pages, mainly). I recently joined our Chamber of Commerce & am looking forward to the networking opportunities coming up with that! This is a huge way to connect with other business owners in your own community.
Pricing:
- https://www.shinebrightcandles.com/shop
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shinebrightcandles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/co.shinebrightcandles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/co.shinebrightcandles/
