How Nina Went From Side Hustle to Million-Dollar Brand

Nina stared at her laptop, the cursor blinking on her blank screen. It was midnight, and while her friends were out at the latest rooftop bar, she was at her kitchen table juggling spreadsheets and sketching product ideas.

Her day job as an administrative assistant paid the bills, but it didn’t ignite her passion. What did? Handmade candles. Nina had started making them as a hobby, experimenting with scents and packaging in her tiny apartment. Her friends raved about her creations, and one of them suggested, “Why don’t you sell these?”

Nina laughed it off at first, but the idea stuck. A month later, she opened an Etsy shop, “Glow by Nina,” with just six candles.

The Spark

At first, sales trickled in. One candle here, another there. Nina was thrilled every time she received an order, carefully wrapping each one as if it were a gift to a close friend. She personalized every package with a handwritten thank-you note, including her signature message: “Let your light shine.”

Word of mouth spread, and soon, Nina was working every spare moment on her side hustle. Her evenings were spent melting wax, testing new fragrance combinations, and perfecting her branding. On weekends, she visited craft fairs, where she set up a small booth decorated with fairy lights and her signature candles.

Her charm and genuine passion were magnetic. People weren’t just buying candles; they were buying into Nina’s vision of warmth, light, and self-care.

The Turning Point

A year in, Nina faced a choice. Her side hustle was gaining momentum, but balancing it with her full-time job was becoming impossible. She was exhausted, often working 12- to 14-hour days.

One evening, as she fulfilled her largest order yet... a boutique wanting 200 candles... Nina realized she couldn’t keep living this way. Her dream needed her full attention. With a mix of excitement and terror, she handed in her resignation the next week.

Nina threw herself into her business full-time. She built a sleek website, invested in professional branding, and expanded her product line to include wax melts and room sprays. She also began documenting her entrepreneurial journey on social media, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of her process. Her authenticity resonated, and her follower count soared.

Scaling Up

One day, a popular lifestyle influencer stumbled across Nina’s Instagram page and bought a few candles. When the influencer raved about them in a video, Nina’s shop exploded with orders.

She was ecstatic... until she realized she didn’t have enough supplies to meet the demand. Nina worked around the clock to fulfill orders, often enlisting the help of friends and family. She knew that if she wanted her business to grow, she couldn’t do it alone.

Nina researched small-business loans and used the funds to lease a small workspace and hire two employees. It was a risk, but one that paid off. With a dedicated team and more efficient equipment, Nina’s production capacity tripled.

She also began pitching her products to larger retailers. After weeks of persistent emails and calls, a trendy home goods chain agreed to carry her candles in select stores. It was a game-changer.

Staying True to Her Vision

As her brand grew, Nina faced challenges she hadn’t anticipated. Big retailers wanted discounts that ate into her profits, and competitors were trying to replicate her designs. There were moments when she questioned whether the stress was worth it.

But every time she felt doubt creeping in, Nina reminded herself why she started: to create something meaningful that brought warmth and light to people’s lives. She stayed true to her core values, refusing to compromise on quality or authenticity.

Nina also made a point to give back. She partnered with nonprofits that supported mental health and self-care, donating a portion of her profits to these causes. It wasn’t just about selling candles anymore; it was about making a difference.

The Million-Dollar Moment

Three years after starting “Glow by Nina,” she reached a milestone she never imagined: a million dollars in annual revenue. She celebrated by taking her parents on a vacation... something she had dreamed of doing for years.

But more than the financial success, Nina was proud of what her brand represented. Every candle carried her story, her struggle, and her belief in the power of perseverance.

Inspiring Others

Today, Nina is often asked to speak at entrepreneurial events and mentor aspiring business owners. Her advice is always the same:

“Start small, stay consistent, and never underestimate the power of your passion. It won’t be easy, and there will be times you want to give up. But if you believe in what you’re doing, you can turn your side hustle into something extraordinary.”

Nina’s journey from a kitchen table side hustle to a million-dollar brand is proof that big dreams often start small. What mattered most was her willingness to take risks, adapt, and keep going even when the path wasn’t clear.

And every time she lights one of her candles, she’s reminded of how far she’s come... and how much light she still has to share with the world.