Conversations with Antoinnette Rainey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Antoinnette Rainey.

Hi antoinnette, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Splash Candles started from a season in my life where I needed an outlet. I was looking for something that allowed me to slow down, be creative, and pour back into myself. What began as a hobby quickly turned into something much bigger. I fell in love with the process of creating candles and realized they could be more than just home décor. They could create moments of peace, connection, and joy.

As I continued growing the business, my vision expanded beyond selling candles. I wanted Splash Candles to become an experience. That’s what led me to start hosting candle making events where people can come together, laugh, create, and make memories. Seeing strangers walk in and leave feeling connected, relaxed, and inspired has become one of my favorite parts of what I do.

Like most small business owners, the journey hasn’t been perfect. I’ve balanced building my business while working other jobs, raising my children, and figuring things out one step at a time. Every challenge has taught me something and pushed me to keep showing up.

Today, Splash Candles is rooted in creativity, community, and creating spaces where people can unplug from everyday life.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. One of the biggest challenges has been building a business while working full time and balancing the responsibilities of being a mom. There were plenty of days when I questioned whether I had enough time, money, or energy to keep going.

Like many small business owners, I’ve also dealt with the challenge of getting my brand in front of the right audience. You can create a great product, but learning marketing, social media, and growing a community is a job all by itself. There have been moments where I put my heart into something that didn’t get the response I hoped for, but I learned not to let those moments define my business.

I’ve also had to learn patience. Success doesn’t happen overnight, and I’ve realized that every event, every customer, and every lesson is helping me build a stronger foundation. Those challenges have made me more resilient and reminded me why I started Splash Candles in the first place.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
At Splash Candles, I create handcrafted candles and host interactive candle making experiences designed to bring people together. While I love creating products, what I really specialize in is creating moments. Whether someone is shopping for a candle or attending one of my events, I want them to leave feeling relaxed, inspired, and connected.

One thing people quickly realize is that my events are more than just pouring wax. I create an atmosphere where people can laugh, celebrate, meet new people, and make memories. From birthdays and date nights to girls’ nights out, every event is designed to be fun, welcoming, and something people genuinely look forward to.

What I’m most proud of is building a brand with purpose. Splash Candles was created to encourage people to slow down and enjoy the moment in a world that always feels rushed. Watching guests leave smiling, hearing them say they needed that experience, or seeing them come back and bring friends is the most rewarding part of what I do.

I think what sets Splash Candles apart is that I’m selling more than candles. I’m creating experiences that people remember. Every scent, every event, and every detail is thoughtfully designed to help people connect with themselves and with each other.

If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I would say resilience has been the biggest factor in my success. Building a business comes with a lot of highs and lows, and there have been plenty of moments where things didn’t go as planned. Instead of giving up, I’ve learned to adapt, keep learning, and keep showing up.

I’m also someone who genuinely cares about the experience I create for my customers. Whether it’s perfecting a candle, planning an event, or responding to a customer, I pay attention to the details because I want people to feel valued. I believe consistency, being open to learning, and staying committed to my vision have helped me continue growing Splash Candles, even when the journey hasn’t been easy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.splashcandles.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splashcandles