Not Just Candle Talk: Burn the Rules. Build Your Legacy
This isn’t your average business podcast.
Not Just Candle Talk is the unapologetic, unfiltered audio home for ambitious entrepreneurs, creatives, and side-hustlers ready to do business on their own terms — no fluff, no fake motivation.
Founded on real experience and raw truth, this podcast dives into the real-life challenges behind the candle business and beyond. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling your empire, every episode is packed with lessons, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you build a business and a life you don’t need to escape from.
Hey, I’m Toni, and I know what it’s like to start from scratch.
When I launched my candle business, I had big dreams but limited resources — no investors, no fancy marketing team, just grit, Google, and a lot of trial and error. I built my brand from the ground up, burned out more times than I can count, and learned to pivot, scale, and get smart about what really makes money in this game.
Not Just Candle Talk was born out of my journey — the highs, the hustle, the hard lessons — and the deep desire to have conversations no one else is having in entrepreneurship. The stuff beyond the surface. The why behind the work.
This Podcast Is For You If…
- You’re tired of overnight success stories with no receipts.
- You want to make real money while staying true to yourself.
- You believe business can be both profitable and purposeful.
- You’re building your brand while managing your real life.
Episodes
40 episodes
Survival Mode: The 2025 Small Business Reality Check
Feeling like your business is in survival mode 24/7? You're not alone. The numbers don't lie—41% of small businesses reported profit declines in early 2025, and we're experiencing what experts call a "consumer recession." People feel broke even...
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10:43
Broke or Bad at Budgeting? The Financial Wake-Up Call Every Entrepreneur Needs
Ever looked at your bank account after a "successful" month and wondered where all the money went? You're not alone. Financial chaos isn't just common among entrepreneurs – it's practically a rite of passage. But it doesn't have to be.T...
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15:49
Turning "No Chance" Deals Into Signed Contracts: A Strategic Approach
Ever stared down a deal that seemed completely out of reach? You're not alone. In this gripping episode, I take you behind the curtain of my most nerve-wracking entrepreneurial moment — facing a five-figure deal that could either catapult my bu...
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11:45
Mastering the Art of Negotiation: How to Secure the Value You Deserve
Are you constantly leaving money on the table? The uncomfortable truth is that most entrepreneurs under-negotiate, guided by fear of rejection or a misplaced belief that accepting less somehow gets you through the door faster. In t...
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10:50
Protecting Your Peace: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Sustainable Success
Ever notice how entrepreneurs put peace on layaway? "Once I hit six figures, I'll rest. Once I scale, I'll breathe." But what if peace isn't a milestone—what if it's a muscle that needs daily attention?Welcome to Part Two of Finding Pea...
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8:21
The Town That Hustled in the Dark
What happens when the lights go out but the entrepreneurial fire keeps burning? This captivating episode takes you on a journey to fictional Ebon Hollow, where three unlikely entrepreneurs—Rena, Jax, and Nova—transform darkness into opportunity...
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9:03
The Lost Receipt: A Story of Dreams,Debt and Redemption in Business
Have you ever felt like you're pouring everything into your business but getting nothing in return? Today's story will resonate deeply with anyone who's experienced entrepreneurial burnout.Meet Nina, a 34-year-old candle maker who start...
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9:07
Finding Peace: The True Measure of Entrepreneurial Success
Have you ever felt like you're doing everything right in your business, yet somehow it's still not enough? That feeling of running uphill, alone, in silence—even as you check all the entrepreneurial boxes everyone says lead to success?T...
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10:32
Purpose-Driven Profits: Why Knowing Your "Why" Changes Everything in Entrepreneurship
Ever found yourself asking, "Why am I even doing this?" in your business? You're experiencing what I call a purpose crisis – a critical turning point where the passion that once fueled your entrepreneurial journey seems to have disappeared....
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10:14
Wealth by Design: The Unfiltered Blueprint to Financial Freedom
Ready to break free from financial mediocrity? The wealth landscape has transformed dramatically, and what worked for previous generations won't cut it anymore. In this revealing episode, we pull back the curtain on the unfiltered blueprint to ...
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18:35
From $2K to $20K: How AI Is Revolutionizing Small Business
The business landscape has shifted dramatically, and the message is clear: those not leveraging AI aren't just falling behind—they're already behind. This candid, eye-opening discussion strips away the hype surrounding artificial intelligence t...
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17:30
Metaverse Money: Your Gateway to Digital Profit
Ready to break through the boundaries of physical business and explore the new digital frontier? The metaverse isn't just buzzword territory for tech giants—it's rapidly becoming the next essential marketplace for entrepreneurs of all sizes.
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9:31
You're Not Broken, You're Burnt Out: Finding Peace in the Entrepreneurial Middle Ground
What happens when the business you started with passion becomes the very thing draining your energy and bank account? Beyond the glossy Instagram posts and six-figure launch screenshots lies a reality most entrepreneurs face but few discuss ope...
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11:35
Breaking Free From Your 9-5: The Uncomfortable Truth About Entrepreneurship in 2025
Ever scrolled through those "quit your job and make six figures from your laptop" posts and wondered if they're selling a dream or reality? This raw, unfiltered discussion tears down the glamorous façade of entrepreneurship to reveal what's rea...
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10:34
Profit Killers: 10 Entrepreneurial Mistakes to Avoid in 2025
Every entrepreneur dreams of building a profitable business, but many find themselves stuck in a cycle of zero returns despite their best efforts. What separates successful business owners from those who struggle isn't just hard work—it's avoid...
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14:36
The Rise of One-Person Empires: Navigating the Solopreneurship Revolution
The workplace revolution is here, and solopreneurship stands at its center. Forty percent of workers now choose flexibility over traditional employment, representing a shift I've seen building for years—even as corporations began paying lip ser...
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16:35
Digital Currency Revolution: The Entrepreneur's Guide to Cryptocurrency Payments
Cryptocurrency is transforming how entrepreneurs conduct business, offering advantages that traditional payment systems simply can't match. For small business owners feeling the squeeze of 2-4% credit card processing fees, crypto presents a com...
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10:28
Friends, Family, Business: A Delicate Balance
Every entrepreneur faces the tempting prospect of going into business with those closest to them—but should they? We tackle this challenging question by examining the double-edged sword of family and friendship business partnerships.The...
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11:42
Hustle Hard or Hardly Hustling? The Path to Extra Cash
The modern financial landscape demands creative thinking beyond the traditional paycheck. As we explore the nuanced differences between side hustles and passive income, we uncover that while many use these terms interchangeably, they represent ...
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8:42
When to Invest, When to Scale Back: The Entrepreneur's Eternal Question
What does the centuries-old wisdom "it takes money to make money" really mean for today's entrepreneurs? I'm challenging conventional thinking by breaking down when and how this principle applies in the modern business landscape.Through...
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11:48
AI & Your Business Edge
Smart entrepreneurs gearing up for 2025 need to embrace AI tools while developing multiple aligned income streams and prioritizing financial literacy for sustainable growth. We share actionable strategies that balance technological advancement ...
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18:23
Your Guide to an Enchanting and Cozy Fall Experience
Can the simple act of lighting a candle truly transform your home into a cozy autumn haven? Absolutely. In our latest episode of Not Just Candle Talk, we explore the magic of fall scents and how they can create a warm, inviting atmosphere. From...
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30:24
Transforming Challenges into Candle Business Triumphs
Unlock the secrets to thriving in the candle business with our latest episode of Not Just Candle Talk! Curious about how you can transform setbacks into stepping stones for growth? You're in the right place. This week, we're equipping you with ...
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14:49
The Future of Retail: Balancing Brick-and-Mortar with E-Commerce Innovation
Can brick-and-mortar stores survive in the digital age, or will e-commerce dominate the future of retail? Join us on Not Just Candle Talk as we unravel the intricate dynamics between physical storefronts and online shopping. We explore the ir...
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10:37
Modern Twists on an Ancient Craft: Candle-Making
Ever wondered how an ancient tradition like candle-making can adapt to the modern world? On this episode of Not Just Candle Talk, we promise you'll gain fascinating insights into the evolving landscape of the candle industry. Our guest host tak...
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3:45