More Than a Grant: How Launch Wayne Helped B’s Wax Candle Co. Take Off

Brandi Stringfield
Aug 13
4 min read

How Launch Wayne Helped Me Turn Passion Into a Growing Business

When I first applied for the Launch Wayne program, I hoped to gain knowledge that would help me grow a business. I never imagined just how much the experience would shape not only B’s Wax Candle Co., but also me as an entrepreneur.

Like many small business owners, I started with a passion. When I entered the program, I actually had no intention of making candles the business I would launch. But within the first two weeks of Launch Wayne, I was challenged to focus on a new vision….one I hadn’t fully considered before.

That vision became B’s Wax Candle Co.

My love for creating clean home fragrances came from wanting better products for my family, combined with my love of psychology and fascination with the connection between scent and memory.

What began at my kitchen counter grew into something I never expected. But having a passion for your craft and knowing how to grow a business are two very different things.

Launch Wayne became the bridge between those two worlds.

Learning How to Think Like a Business Owner

Throughout the program, I was challenged to think differently about every aspect of my business……from my financial planning and pricing strategies to marketing, customer experience, and long-term growth.

Our course was taught by Vanessa with Spiron Solutions, and the lessons went far beyond simply sitting in a classroom and talking about business.

We were given tools we could immediately put into action.

We also had opportunities to attend workshops that changed the way I approached running my business. One of the biggest changes for me was learning how to manage my time more effectively. Every session provided tools that I could immediately put into action. More importantly, it gave me confidence in the vision I had been building.

More Than a Class: Mentorship, Connections, and Community

One of the greatest gifts of the program was being surrounded by other entrepreneurs. Each person came from a different industry, yet we all shared the same excitement, challenges, and determination to build something here in Wayne County. We celebrated one another’s successes, learned from each other’s experiences, and formed relationships that has continued outside of the classroom.

Through the program, I received a one-year Chamber of Commerce membership, providing another opportunity to connect with Wayne County’s business community and become more involved with the people and organizations working to make our local economy stronger.

I was also paired with a Rotarian mentor and given the opportunity to attend Rotary meetings throughout the duration of the program.

Being able to enter those spaces, listen, learn, ask questions, and build relationships with established professionals and community leaders was incredibly valuable.

Sometimes, as a new entrepreneur, you don’t know which rooms you need to be in yet.

Launch Wayne helped open the doors to some of those rooms.

A Place I Never Thought I Would Be

Winning first place and receiving the $5,000 award was certainly an unforgettable moment, but it wasn’t the greatest reward.

Participants of the Launch Wayne Spring 26' Cohort

The greatest reward was leaving the program with a clearer vision, a stronger business foundation, and the confidence to pursue opportunities I may have once thought were out of reach.

Since completing Launch Wayne, B’s Wax Candle Co. has continued to grow in exciting ways. We’ve expanded our mobile candle bar experiences, developed customized fragrance experiences for businesses and special events, enhanced our branding, strengthened our wholesale offerings, and continued building a company centered around creating lasting memories through fragrance.

Every investment we’ve made has been intentional. Whether purchasing equipment to increase production, improving our customer experience, or preparing for future expansion, the lessons learned through Launch Wayne continue to guide many of our business decisions today.

Entrepreneurship can feel lonely. There are moments of uncertainty, long nights, and countless decisions that happen behind the scenes. Programs like Launch Wayne remind business owners that they don’t have to navigate the journey alone. They provide education, mentorship, accountability, and a community that genuinely wants to see local businesses succeed.

To the Launch Wayne team, mentors, instructors, sponsors, and everyone who poured into this program, thank you. Your investment extends far beyond a classroom. It impacts families, strengthens local businesses, and helps entrepreneurs build something that will serve our community for years to come.

As I continue growing B’s Wax Candle Co., I carry those lessons with me every day. This is only the beginning, and I’m excited to see where the journey leads next.