Juggling Markets & a Full-Time Job: The Honest Truth

Running a small business is no small feat! Throw in a full-time job, and things can get really interesting. Lately, I’ve taken a leap with MORIGLŌ—bringing our hand-poured candles to local pop-up markets. It’s been exciting and rewarding, and I won’t sugarcoat it—also a little exhausting. Hats off to anyone who has done it for years and to the ones who opened their brick-and-mortar! Phew, y’all are my heroes!

So here I am, thinking I’d share a quick update for those who’ve been following our journey and maybe even offer some insight to anyone else out there wearing multiple hats.

The Decision to Start Doing Markets

At first, the idea of setting up shop at local pop-up markets felt intimidating. Between my day-to-day responsibilities and weekend obligations (and, let’s be honest, the occasional need for rest), I wondered if I could make it work.

But then I remembered my “why” this business started in the first place—for my mom.

MORIGLŌ has always been about creating something meaningful together—honoring her love for design, her nurturing spirit, her endless creativity, and that spark she’s always had for wanting to start a business of her own (something she’s talked about for years). The nudge to start doing markets wasn’t just about expanding the business—it was about deepening that connection and living out the dream we began as a family.

Markets felt like the perfect way to bring our shared passion to life in a more personal, tangible way. Seeing someone light up when they find a scent they love, hearing the memories it brings back, and sharing all of that with my mom by my side—that’s what makes it so special.

The Challenges (Because Yes, There Are Many)

Time is precious.

Prepping for a market takes time—pouring candles, labeling, packing, planning displays, etc—and none of it magically happens on its own. After a full day at work, switching gears and finding the energy (and time!) to do it all can be pretty challenging.

Rest becomes a luxury.

Weekends used to be my time to chill and reset. Now? Saturdays or Sundays are all about pop-up markets—early mornings, long days, and usually ending with me crashing on the couch with sore feet and a full heart. Rest looks a little different these days, so I grab it where I can—sometimes that means a quick nap, a slow coffee, or just sitting in silence for five glorious minutes.

The mental load is real.

Balancing both “jobs” means my mind is always in motion—sometimes jumping from business to day job in the blink of an eye. (Actually, I just had a thought of a task I need to do today while writing this.) Since there’s no pause button, I’ve had to be more intentional about setting boundaries and building small rituals to keep myself steady and sane and avoid burnout.

Woodworking has had to wait.

One of the trickiest parts lately has been finding time for the woodworking side of MORIGLŌ. Between the day job, candle-making, and hauling shelves and boxes to markets, I just haven’t been able to get back into the shop. I miss building things—taking a bunch of raw pieces and turning them into something cool with my own two hands. I’ll get back to it soon once I figure out how to magically add a few more hours to the day.

What I Get Out of It

Convos that aren’t with my dogs

Markets have brought some of the most fun and heartwarming moments—like someone sharing a memory sparked by a scent or a customer coming back just because they needed another candle. Some people even show up to the event to find our booth, which blows my mind and makes me feel so grateful! Since I work from home most days, my main coworkers are my dogs—and as cute as they are, they’re not big on deep conversations. So, getting to connect with actual humans, share laughs with my mom and niece, and feel that real-life energy again? It’s honestly the best part. It makes all the early mornings, sore feet, and candle hauling 100% worth it!

Creative sparks, fueled by coffee and chaos

Being in the market scene has totally kicked my creativity into gear in ways I didn’t see coming. Watching people sniff a candle, make that face, and then light up because they love it? Instant inspo. Honestly, half my new ideas come from random customer reactions and overheard “Oooh, what’s that smell?” moments.

Sore feet, full heart, no regrets

Balancing this business with a full-time job isn’t always easy—but the fact that I get to do both? That means a lot. I’m lucky to have a day job I genuinely love, and being able to build this creative dream alongside it feels like a gift (a slightly exhausting one, but still a gift). What makes it even better? I get to do it with my mom, my niece, and sometimes the rest of the family. It’s chaotic, it’s loud, it’s a team effort—and it makes everything more special. It’s not about having endless time; it’s about making room for something meaningful. And that keeps me going even when I’m running on coffee and vibes.

Best part of all? It’s a family thing.

Working side by side with my mom (and my niece when she’s not off being a student-athlete superstar) has honestly been one of the best and funniest parts of this whole journey. We laugh a lot, tell the same stories over and over, and somehow still end up in full-blown debates about which side the candles should go on. Let’s just say our market setup comes with a side of “constructive chaos.” 😅

One of our classic moments? When we finally think we can sit down and give our feet a break, and right then, a customer walks up. We glance at each other like, “Okay, who’s getting this one?” Then we just smile—because we already know the answer. We’re in this together.

But truly, getting to build something with the people I love—especially my mom—makes every early morning truck-packing puzzle and scent test worth it. It’s not just about candles. It’s about connection. And a little family comedy along the way.

Stuff no one tells you about doing it all

Prepping ahead saves your sanity.

Luckily, my day job as a project manager taught me a thing or two about planning ahead—so the prep part? I’ve mostly got that down. But running a small business and doing markets? Totally different beast. I’m still figuring out things like how not to forget scissors, where to store everything efficiently, and how to avoid packing at 6 a.m. the day of. (Spoiler: pack the day before. Always.)

Rest is not optional (no matter how strong your coffee is).

Saying yes to everything is a fast track to burnout. I’ve learned to protect my time and take real breaks—even if that just means disappearing for a bit. Some people hide in their car. Thankfully, I’ve never had to do that. I just go into the bedroom and shut the door. Same effect, fewer seatbelt creases.

The little wins are actually big ones.

That smile from a customer, someone showing up just to find our booth, or even a simple “this smells amazing”—those moments are everything. And yes, my mom and I still have friendly debates about table layouts and which candle should be front and center at the checkout table to tempt last-minute sniffers (spoiler: we both think we’re right). But doing this together? That’s the real win.