The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth27 Kesä 2023

Episode 140: Growing a Product-Based Business from the Farm with Michelle Myers of Dirt Road Candle Co

Listener, if you haven't heard of Dirt Road Candle Co, let me do the absolute honor of introducing you! Michelle Myers is a friend, small business mastermind buddy, and the woman behind the ONLY candle brand I have in my house. In this episode we chat about Michelle's background and future in agriculture and her journey from making candles in her kitchen to building an amazing, authentic brand. Key Takeaways

If you need a fairy godmother for your small business, please meet mine. Megan Knapp provides the virtual assisting services I need to keep my entire business organized. She's now accepting new clients, so reach out at meganknappva@gmail.com.
Listener, I used a debit card for my business purchases for so long. I heard some buzz about cash back rewards, did some of my own research, and landed on the Capital One Spark Business Card. I love to build my credit and earn money back on purchases I would make anyway. You need to make the best financial decisions for YOUR business, but if you're looking for a great credit card for your small business, learn more here.
Michelle has been on the pod before in my small business besties episode. I first started following Michelle on Instagram after her episode on the Rural Revival podcast.
Michelle lives in rural Southwest Iowa on her fifth generation family farm. She currently lives in the home she was raised in!
Michelle started making candles with a thrifted double boiler in her own kitchen. When candles took over her whole home (literally!) she built a combination candle shed/farm office.
Michelles candles started as a hobby but became popular gifts, so she opened an Etsy shop.
Her early years were tough. Michelle commuted 50 minutes each way for her full time corporate job and would come home to pack orders. She said she kept her blinders on and focused on her goal. It made that crazy season doable.
Michelle is mostly self taught. She gets stuff done and encourages people to not over-research.
Community is so important to Michelle's success, especially as a product based business.
Getting started in wholesale was a challenge initially. She says to remember that "no" can mean "just not right now." She now sells online retail and wholesale and through Faire, an online wholesale marketplace (aka "Etsy for wholesale").
Michelle's brand is totally her. She really is just sharing her life. She loves and uses her products and adds to her line as a need arises. Her car freshies started when her friend's daughter cried when she couldn't bring her candle in the car!
Michelle is educating others about agriculture through her farm tours and open houses. Her fall open house is this August 4th and 5th.

Connect with Michelle Michelle's branding is on. point. Shop at her website or follow her across the socials at @dirtroadcandleco (Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Tämä jakso on lisätty Podme-palveluun avoimen RSS-syötteen kautta eikä se ole Podmen omaa tuotantoa. Siksi jakso saattaa sisältää mainontaa.

Jaksot(291)

The Worst Business Plan I Ever Made

Back in 2022, I had a marker board covered edge to edge with ideas. I'd write a launch date right next to each one, feel the rush of excitement, and sprint at it with everything I had. And then somewh...

2 Syys 25min

267: Willing, Not Ready: Nick Kleitsch on Taking Action Before You Feel Prepared

This week I'm bringing you another one from the Molly Invites the Boys to the Podcast series, and this one is personal. Nick Kleitsch has been my coaching client for the past two years, and I have wat...

26 Elo 48min

266: Better Every Day: Dr. Dan Butler on Building a School District Rooted in People

I have a confession. I've been bragging about our school district to basically anyone who will listen lately (sorry to my friends and acquaintances, you did not ask for this)...and today's guest is ex...

20 Elo 38min

265: Wear the Name Badge: What Ed Raber Knows About Showing Up

This month on The Found Podcast, we're doing something a little different. We're bringing the boys in for a few episodes (don't worry, we'll be back to our women founders soon), and first up is somebo...

12 Elo 46min

264: The Messy Middle: What Rebuilding My Business Has Actually Looked Like

Back in May, I was on a Zoom with my friend Jill Carr, mapping out where this podcast is headed in 2026 and 2027, when something clicked. Not a big dramatic moment. Just that quiet click where somebod...

5 Elo 40min

263: The Midyear Check-In Founders Never Put on Their Calendar

We're over halfway through the year, which means I'm having two feelings at once: "how did we get here already?!?!" and "okay, let's actually get moving on the goals I set back in January." If you're ...

29 Heinä 19min

262: Six Reasons 2026 Is Your Year to Finally Start That Business

If you've been sitting on an idea for your small town, a business, a side hustle, a project you keep circling back to, and something keeps stopping you every time you get close to pulling the trigger....

22 Heinä 48min

261: 7 Truths About Rural America They Don't Want You to Hear

I'm angry this week. Not flip-a-table angry. The kind of angry that makes you sit up and say: this is wrong, and I want to be part of the solution. Rural America has been talked about, talked at, and ...

15 Heinä 57min