We’re looking forward to introducing you to Marissa Manning. Check out our conversation below.
Marissa, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
God has made it abundantly clear to me that He has put me on a path. The road here may have been a bit bumpy and windy, with a few detours I’m sure I put in along the way.
My business and my current doings in life are the result of many prayers answered over a period of time. As someone who went to school in a completely different field of study than what I do now, I never would have believed this was the path I was set on. I have been through a variety of professional roles, all from which I have gained good experience. I’m sure some of these were my “wandering” period, but nonetheless, God used this to bring me exactly where I needed to be.
A little over 5 years ago, my husband and I moved to the town we live in now (about 40 minutes from my hometown), and I always longed to get more connected in the community. In 2023, I gave birth to our daughter, and had a difficult time trying to go back into the 9-5 job I was working at that time. I stopped doing things for myself just to spend every extra ounce of time I had with our daughter. At times, I felt like I was losing myself, as I think motherhood can do to so many. I always describe it as the most amazing, joyous thing I’ve ever done, and the most difficult all at the same time.
After many discussions, a lot of praying, and a lot of number crunching, my husband and I were fortunate enough to make things work so that I could stay home full-time. It is a true blessing! As we made the transition, I started to think about what I could also do to have my own creative outlet – I had considered making candles just for fun in the past, but God pushed me in this direction and it just clicked! I began a ton of research, testing, and back end work, and then Shine Bright Candle Co. was begun! I launched sales in May 2024, and the journey continued!
The past year and some change has included a lot of growth personally and professionally, but I am so fortunate to get to do what I do. My business is not just about making sales, it’s about helping where I can, and spreading some of God’s love to others! Since beginning this business, I have been able to connect with so many community members, get involved, help other organizations/people out, get creative, all while getting to spend time with my daughter at home. To God be the glory.
Please know that whether it may feel like it in the moment or not, God is always working for your greater good, even if the path may not look like how you pictured it would!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi readers! I’m Marissa Manning. I am the owner and maker of Shine Bright Candle Co.
Shine Bright Candle Co. is a Christ-centered business crafting soy candles & wax melts + ec0-friendly room sprays. Our hope is that when you see, light, and smell our products, they also serve as a small reminder to let your own beautiful light shine too!
Our candles are made with 100% soy wax, lead & zinc free wicks, and top-tier fragrances that are a part of the “clean scent” program, meaning they contain no CMRs, acute toxins, organ toxins, phthalates, or parabens. When I began researching before I physically made candles, I was shocked to see how terrible the majority of big box store candles were for us – that I had been buying for years! I wanted to make sure to bring a product I felt safe having in my home with my daughter, and I am proud to stand behind the products I have created!
Currently, I am working towards beginning the Shine Bright Candle Club – a 6 month or 12 month subscription that delivers a monthly candle or room spray right to your door! This is for adventure seekers and fragrance lovers, as you won’t know what is coming the next month until it arrives! I am so excited to get creative and get a bit more out of my comfort zone with this! The majority of my products are very minimalistic in label design and such, and I want to bring in a bit more pizzaz with these! Each month, subscribers will receive their candle/spray along with a notecard that explains the scent and includes a Bible verse for inspiration if you feel called to look it up!
We are also on the cusp of busy season with Fall quickly approaching, and I am prepping for that time now. I am hoping to bring in some fun seasonal vessels to my line this year too! Finally, I LOVE to do custom work for businesses, organizations, fundraisers, and personal events! It’s a blast to get to bring in creativity and collaboration with others.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Oof. These are some deep hitting questions for me! I am actually struggling with this currently, but I think sometimes we need to be vulnerable so that others know it’s okay to feel the way they do too.
I believe God sends certain people into our lives or sends us places to serve a purpose, but sometimes that is only for a certain period of time. I am currently navigating changes in friendships, and that’s something I really struggle with. Some people we only are meant to be with for a certain period of time, and that’s okay, but it can still be difficult. Right now, I’m trying to tell myself it’s okay to let people go, sometimes without real closure. But God had them in our lives for a reason while they were. That version of me served the purpose God had intended, and now, I need to be willing to listen to what’s next.
Wow, didn’t know I’d be in a therapy session today. LOL
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I think I’m going to be continually repeating this over time.
Do not let others define who you are. You know your heart, and so does God, and that is all that truly matters. You care, you are kind, and you a worthy of so much because of what Jesus did for you. Do not find your worth from the world. Keep being exactly who God made you to be.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
If you ever meet me out at an event, or even bump into me at the grocery store, you’re going to get the real me. Now, that being said, you will probably see a more pumped up, outgoing version, because I like to make people feel welcome and seen. At the end of it all, though, I am happy to get down to the nitty gritty and have a real conversation (good or tough) with anyone at anytime. You will always get that from me. I always do my best to be respectful and kind, but real at the same time.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I care. I truly, truly care. (Maybe too much)
I love my business and I love what I get to do, but at the end of the day, the candles aren’t what is the most important thing to me. My goal is to bring joy to people’s lives, and to hope that people can feel a little bit of God’s love through me too.
I’m a woman who is strong, but sensitive all at the same time. I respect others, but ask the same of everyone else too. I’m willing to talk to anyone about anything, in good times and tough times. I believe some people may get the wrong impression from me when I try to have real, deep down conversations. Many people don’t do well with tough conversations, but I have them with you because I care about you, your family, your soul, all of it!
I think the people that truly know me could tell others exactly this.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shinebrightcandles.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/co.shinebrightcandles/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/co.shinebrightcandles
