Date: March 13, 2024

Author: Akiba Bradford

Local small businesses throughout the nation are experiencing setbacks such as the lack of economic growth, supply chain issues, robberies, and closures. These setbacks, impacts all of us including e-commerce brands like Lightheart Candles. This blog will highlight LHC’s setbacks and the battles of resilience we face as a small business.

Brick and Morter Expansion

Over the last few months we have dealt with the ebbs and flows of expansion. As you know, in 2023 we started a partnership with Downtown Smoke and Gift Shop. However, at the start of 2024 Downtown Smoke and Gift Shop experienced a robbery and our products were stolen. LHC was devastated by the loss, but more importantly we worried about the safety of the staff at the gift shop.

Soonafter the robbery, the owners of Downtown Smoke and Gift Shop made a decision to close there doors. The closure resulted in the end of our partnership. LHC is honored to have worked with the owners of Downtown Smoke and Gift Shop. There passion to support us will never go unnoticed.

Although we hoped to bring our candle and soap bundles directly to costumers in the Bay Area, the timing just isnt right. LHC will continue to identify partnerships that can showcase our products in the future. Until then please order your candle and soap bundles through our website at Lightheartcandles.com.

Social Media Expansion

In 2023, LHC also announced plans to expand our social media presence onto the app TikTok. Well, we did it! Please follow our TikTok account @lightheartcandlesllc.

Over the next few weeks we will set up our Tik Tok shop in hopes of bringing our relaxing candle and soap bundles into the home of customers worldwide. However, we are also keeping a diligent eye on the looming Tiktok ban occurring in the United States.

Whats Next

So whats next? Like many entrepreneurs, the question of whats next can seem daunting. Thats why I am focused on the now–the present moments and battles of today.

Its taken me a few weeks to wrap my head around this setback as an entrepreneur. At some point I blamed myself for it. I questioned things like did I choose the right partner, location, and time to expand. After asking those hard questions, I took a bath with our Cozy Corner Candle and Soap Bundle and escaped for a moment. I rested and began to look at the battle in its entirety. I realized that the battle of this setback is moreso in the lesson than in the loss.

I found a great partner and location at the right time in hopes of expanding LHC. However, there are some things that entrepreneurs may never think to factor into their business plan. Things like the quality of life issues within an area that may impact the bottom line and safety of one’s employees. As an e-commerce entrepreneur, I didnt factor that in. However, the partnership with Downtown Smoke and Gift Shop gave me insight into the risk of having my products in a brick and mortar location.

All in all, LHC is happy to fight another day as a small business. We are currently sharpening our e-commerce business strategy, while also finding ways to be resilient in the face of setbacks. So tell me, have you ever faced a setback? If so, how did you overcome the battle and find your resilience? Until next time.

C.E.O

Akiba Bradford

Lightheart Candles