My Story

Hi there! My name is Erica and I'm the owner of Countryside Candle Co. I've been making candles for over 6 years with Countryside Candle Co's name. I finally got my LLC in 2022. It first started off as just a simple hobby that grew into so much more. I wanted to create a brand that offered candles specially hand crafted to fit anyone's liking and offer a wide variety of scents. 

I have struggled with health issues my whole life unfortunately. Seizures, autoimmune diseases, gene mutations, PCOS, deficiencies, and severe dysautonomia. Managing health flare ups and pain management was becoming crucial after a possible TIA in 2022. After countless Hospital visits, 2 short term disability claims through my work, going to Cleveland Clinic and getting some diagnosis figured out, the struggle with my conditions eventually took me off work and filing for disability through the state in  2023.

 I was devastated. I was no longer able to drive, work a normal 9-5 and pursue my continuation of schooling in the medical field. During the year of 2022, I was finally starting to sell my candles at local farmers markets and seasonal vender events occasionally while working part time still at my job.  Crafting candles was something that brought me a lot of joy struggling with the reality of my life. Being able to get such positive feedback from my vendor days in 2022 really drove me to keep pushing. It made me really try to look at more of what I can do rather than Can't. 

When 2023 came around, my body had enough. I was struggling even working 4 hour shifts. I ultimately trialed 2 other jobs. I made the decision to quit pharmacy thinking the high stress, constant running around and being in a high intensity environment during the pandemic was too much on me and my health. I tried another standing position and a sit down position. It was too much nonmatter the job type I tried. This led me to finally having to pull the plug. I wasn't reliable,  I had so many appointments, due to such bad brain fog I couldn't think clearly, I wasn't focusing and I began making mistakes over and over at my jobs.

This was single handedly the hardest thing I've had to learn to accept in my life. My heath had stripped me from something I had such Pride in, which was my drive in my career and a great worth ethic. Something I was proud of ,something I had taken such pride in all my life was gone. Something that made me feel confident and felt like I was sadly.. worth something. I had my own place, own car, was able to pay all my bills, support myself and my fur babies. I was losing hope.

I ended up Moving back home with my parents in 2023 before my last 2 job attempts. Things went downhill from there for a while. I fortunately had immense support from my family and friends during this time that I am forever grateful for. I don't know how I would of gotten through those times without them.  Things started getting a little better with the right medication therapy. I began becoming a little stir crazy not feeling like I had made my mark on this world somehow. I started diving heavier and heavier into my passion of candle making.

It honestly at one point almost became an obsession, not so much a bad obsession. More so it was giving me excitement, something to work towards again. Something that made me feel like I had a purpose once more. I was waking up everyday constantly brainstorming new scents, new ideas and working always on ways to improve. The countless hours I would spend watching videos, tutorials, reading and learning.. It gave me something to look forward to again. I was gaining my hope back.

      It got to a point where I told myself, "I can make something out of this." Something I didn't think was going to be possible for me again. December of 2023 is when I told myself that I was ready. I was ready to finally make my mark on this world and pour everything I was able to into my business. I was ready to battle through the ups and downs of trying to run a business while everyday fighting against my diagnosis's. 

 Now, I knew this wasn't going to be an easy battle, that's for sure. I've been tested to the max. 2024 was a very challenging year to come. 2 months I was bed written due to an infection. My dysautonomia progressing and leading to me blacking out at the wheel and totaling my car and having my license taken away. But as I look back, during that entire time the community, My customers ,and all the love I have felt while being able to provide you all with something I'm so passionate about.. The level of gratefulness I have is undoubtfully indescribable.

  I never wanted my health to define my goals and dreams.. Sometimes life doesn't go the way you want or expect it to. Everyone is fighting their own battles. Whether it be mind or body. Sometimes you can change things, sometimes you just.. cant.  Whatever it is,  hopefully my story can be a a positive influence on you. That anything is truly possible as long as you have the right drive, mindset and support.  If I can still be a fighter, so can you be. Countryside Candle Co. isn't just a business to me. Its brought me comfort, a community, a family.

Its gave me my purpose.

xoxo,

Erica