✨ My Small Business Journey: How Good Intentions Became a Women-Owned Bay Area Candle Brand

If you told me back in 2020 that one candle — one moment of creativity during quarantine — would grow into a full lifestyle brand, dozens of pop-ups, thousands of products sold, and an entire community in the Bay Area… I wouldn’t have believed it.

Good Intentions wasn’t built from a business plan.
It was built from a moment of love, curiosity, and a deep desire to bring people comfort during one of the most uncertain times in history.

This is my story — the story of how a women-owned business in California turned into something bigger than I could’ve ever imagined.

🔥 It All Started With “An Escape From Quarantine”

During the pandemic, I — like so many of us — felt stuck.

The world was heavy.
Life slowed down.
And home became everything.

I wanted to create something that would make the people I loved feel warm, safe, and comforted, even when the world didn’t.

So I poured my very first candle and named it “An Escape from Quarantine.”
I gifted it to friends and family just to brighten their day.

I didn’t plan to start a business.
I just wanted to spread a little light.

But people fell in love with it.
Then more people asked for one.
Then their friends asked for one.
And suddenly… something clicked.

😳 The Realization That Changed Everything

As I got deeper into candle making, I learned something that honestly shocked me:

Most candles on the market — especially the ones many of us grew up loving — contain paraffin wax and synthetic chemicals that can affect your health, your hormones, your lungs, and even your pets.

I noticed headaches.
My dog wasn’t reacting well.
Something felt off.

I started researching, and that’s when the truth hit:
A lot of mainstream candles were harming the air inside my home.

That’s when Good Intentions shifted from a hobby into a mission.

🌱 Creating Something Better: Clean, Non-Toxic, Coconut Soy Candles

I didn’t want to just make candles.
I wanted to make candles that were:

✔️ Safe
✔️ Non-toxic
✔️ Clean
✔️ Eco-friendly
✔️ Breathable
✔️ Pet-friendly
✔️ Made with coconut soy wax
✔️ Made from phthalate-free, paraben-free fragrances

If I was going to build a business, it was going to be one that supported people’s health, energy, and home — not harm it.

That’s when Good Intentions became official.

📍 Building a Business as a Women-Owned Brand in the Bay Area

Growing a small business as a women-owned maker in the Bay Area, California hasn’t been easy — but it has been one of the most empowering things I’ve ever done.

The Bay Area is filled with:
✨ creatives
✨ vendors
✨ makers
✨ cultural diversity
✨ entrepreneurial spirit

I started attending pop-ups, vendor markets, county fairs, and car shows — sometimes with just a table, a few candles, and a canopy I could barely set up.

I learned how to:
– talk to customers
– market my products
– build an aesthetic
– create viral-worthy scents
– run a business alone
– perfect my craft
– move with intention, not fear

Every event, every interaction, every conversation shaped Good Intentions into what it is today.

🚗 From Candles to Car Fresheners — and a Growing Community

The love for my candles eventually led to the next chapter:
clean car fresheners.

Car enthusiasts in the Bay Area were tired of cheap, chemical-smelling fresheners.
They wanted something clean.
Something long-lasting.
Something aesthetic.
Something that matched their vibe.

So I expanded — thoughtfully, intentionally — and Good Intentions became both a candle and car aroma brand.

Every event brought new customers.
People started recognizing me.
People started bringing their friends.
Some even traveled just to come see my booth.

💛 The Meaning Behind “Good Intentions”

I chose the name Good Intentions because everything I create comes from a place of:

✨ care
✨ purpose
✨ mindfulness
✨ wellness
✨ love
✨ healing energy

My brand is more than a candle business.
It’s a reminder to live intentionally.
To take care of yourself.
To create a home filled with peace and warmth.

Lighting a candle should feel like self-care — not a health risk.
Breathing in your home should feel safe.
Your vibes, your energy, your space — they all matter.

🌕 Growing, Expanding, and Staying Rooted in Purpose

Today, Good Intentions has:
– thousands of candles made by hand
– hundreds of Bay Area customers
– dozens of pop-up events
– a growing online presence
– a clean car freshener line
– a Goddess aromatherapy line
– upcoming memberships and refill programs
– a strong aesthetic and brand identity
– more collections launching this year

And I’m still learning.
Still growing.
Still showing up.
Still making everything by hand, with intention.

🧡 Thank You For Being Part of This Journey

If you’ve ever bought a candle, liked a post, shared my business, or stopped by my booth — just know:

You are the reason Good Intentions exists.

As a women-owned Bay Area business, every purchase supports:
– a dream
– a mission
– a purpose
– a community
– a family
– and a girl who wanted to spread a little light during a dark time

Good Intentions was built with heart.
And every day, I’m grateful that you’re part of this story.