The First Six Months of House of Wick

It’s hard to believe that House of Wick is only six months old.

Looking back, these first six months have been filled with more learning, growth, challenges, and unforgettable moments than I ever imagined when I first started this journey.

One of the biggest milestones during this time was launching my website. What many people don’t know is that the House of Wick website took about 45 days to build, all while I was actively attending markets and pop-ups on the side. There were days spent working on product listings, photos, descriptions, and website design, followed by evenings packing inventory for the next market.

It was a lot to balance, but seeing the website finally go live made every late night worth it.

Alongside building the website, I spent the last six months attending so many markets and local pop-ups that I’ve genuinely lost count. Some weekends involved multiple events, and there were even days when I participated in two markets in a single day.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from all these events, it’s that markets are incredibly unpredictable.

Some events that seem promising end up being slow. Others that I don’t expect much from turn out to be wonderful surprises. There is rarely a perfect formula.

That’s the reality of running a small business. You keep showing up without knowing exactly how the day will unfold.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is simple: Keep showing up.

Show up on the slow days.

Show up on the exhausting days.

Show up even when things don’t go as planned.

Every market teaches something valuable. Every event introduces new people to the brand. Every conversation creates an opportunity for connection.

One of the moments that feels most surreal is knowing that House of Wick products are now carried in four stores across the United States.

For some businesses, four stores may seem small. For me, it feels incredibly meaningful.

Just six months ago, House of Wick was an idea. Today, candles I’ve poured by hand are sitting on shelves in multiple states. That’s something I don’t take for granted.

Another unexpected milestone has been the success of the dog candle collection. What started as a creative product idea has grown into one of the most loved collections in the business, especially online. Seeing customers connect with the candles has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey.

Of course, behind every candle, every market setup, every social media post, and every website order is a lot of work that most people never see.

The late nights.

The packing and shipping.

The loading and unloading of inventory.

The long drives.

The trial and error.

The rejections.

The slow events.

The constant learning.

None of it happened overnight, and none of it was easy.

Every small step forward came from continuing to show up, even on the days when motivation was low and the outcome felt uncertain.

Recently, I also committed to a large fall market season running from late September through November. It’s exciting, a little intimidating, and definitely going to require a lot of inventory preparation, but I’m looking forward to seeing where it leads.

As I reflect on these first six months, more than anything, I feel grateful.

Grateful for every customer who purchased a candle.

Grateful for everyone who visited my website.

Grateful for those who stopped by my booth at a market.

Grateful for every conversation, every comment, every share, every recommendation, and every kind word.

Even if you simply stopped to smell a candle or say hello, thank you.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

And a special thank you to my fellow small business owners and vendor friends. There is something incredibly special about the way small businesses quietly support one another, celebrate wins together, and encourage each other through the difficult days.

The first six months have been unforgettable.

I can’t wait to see what the next six months bring for House of Wick.

Thank you for being part of the journey🤎