Reflecting on 2025 & Lighting the Way Forward: A Soulful Look Ahead to 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself pausing—not just to look back, but to feel everything this year held. Growth. Healing. Creativity. Celebration. And a whole lot of faith.
This year wasn’t just about candles or collections. It was about resilience, reinvention, and trusting the process—even when the flame flickered.
So today, I’m inviting you into a personal reflection of 2025 and a heartfelt glimpse at what’s coming in 2026. Consider this your cozy catch-up, poured with intention and scented with gratitude. 🤍
January 2025: Healing, Setbacks & Love in Bloom
The year began quietly, with my body still healing from neck surgery in 2024. January reminded me that healing isn’t linear. One small movement caused a setback that forced me to slow down again—and surrender control.
But even in that space, beauty bloomed.
I completed the Love in Bloom Collection, featuring Be Mine, First Kiss, Love Letter, and Sweet Escape. This romantic lineup quickly became a customer favorite and set the tone for the year ahead: softness, love, and intention.
February 2025: Wellness, Creativity & New Skills
February brought a shift toward wellness. I started juicing (hello, Nama juicer 🥤), experimenting with blends, and prioritizing how I felt—not just how productive I was.
Creatively, this month was a turning point. I enrolled in digital marketing and design classes, learned how to design from scratch, and began experimenting with AI tools. What started as curiosity turned into confidence—and opened a whole new creative lane for Kandie’s Scents.
Spring Growth: New Collections & New Connections
🌸 May 2025
Spring arrived with the Whispers of Spring Collection—Papaya Paradise, Pineapple Bliss, Coastal Breeze, and Seaside Serenity. These scents captured fresh starts and beach-day dreams.
May also marked the launch of the Glow & Tell Newsletter, a cozy corner for scent stories, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments. Creating deeper connection with my community became a major focus this year.
June 2025: A Signature Glow-Up
June was BIG.
My Signature Collection received a full refresh—updated labels, elevated branding, and transitioning select scents from tins to jars. It was a lot of work, but it aligned perfectly with where the brand is headed: elevated, intentional, and luxe.
Even more meaningful? I reached my one-year post-surgery milestone, with positive scans and renewed hope. That moment alone made everything worth it.
Summer Wins: Space, Branding & Milestones
🎨 July 2025
The Glow Up HQ got a makeover! Fresh paint, reorganization, and a renewed creative energy filled my workspace. I also unveiled an updated Kandie’s Scents logo, reflecting the brand’s growth and elevated direction.
This month also marked one full year at Painted Tree Memphis—a huge blessing and reminder of how far this journey has come.
❤️ August 2025
August was for love and legacy. My husband and I celebrated 19 years of marriage and launched our couples YouTube channel, RK Unfiltered—a space for real conversations, laughter, and life.
I also committed to blogging more consistently, sharing behind-the-scenes insights and lessons learned along the way.
Fall into Cozy: Community, Candles & Consistency
🍁 September brought the Whispers of Fall Collection, featuring Toasted Pumpkin Spice, Vanilla Pumpkin Marshmallow, Chestnut + Birch, and Vanilla Chai Latte. Cozy season was in full swing—and so was Glow & Tell, with its second issue dropping right on schedule.
🎉 October marked four years in business. Four years of growth, faith, mistakes, wins, and purpose. This month also launched Soulful Sundays, a YouTube series created to share the real story behind the brand—the heart, the hustle, and the healing.
Winter Glow & Year-End Magic
❄️ November and December were filled with holiday magic. The Winter Glow Collection, candle gift sets, wax melt ornaments, and stocking stuffers took center stage.
Behind the scenes? Non-stop filming, packing orders, restocking shelves, and creating content. I went from camera-shy to camera-ready—and honestly, I’m proud of that growth.
Gratitude That Burns Bright
To everyone who supported Kandie’s Scents in any way this year—thank you. Every order, comment, share, visit, and kind word matters more than you know. Your support is truly the fuel behind the flame.
Looking Ahead to 2026 ✨
As 2025 comes to a close, I find myself pausing—not just to look back, but to feel everything this year held. Growth. Healing. Creativity. Celebration. And a whole lot of faith.
This year wasn’t just about candles or collections. It was about resilience, reinvention, and trusting the process—even when the flame flickered.
As I step into 2026, I’m carrying big dreams, deeper intentions, and a whole lot of faith. I’m working on new product lines, expanding Kandie’s Scents in exciting ways, and leaning even further into storytelling, scent therapy, and soft living. I’m not ready to share all the details just yet—but trust me, something beautiful is brewing. 😉
Here’s to 2026: to wellness, to healing, to small businesses thriving, and to a candle business rooted in purpose, passion, and peace.
🕯️ Join Me for Soulful Sundays
If you loved this reflection and want more behind-the-scenes moments, real conversations, and candle business insights, join me every Sunday at 2:30 PM CST for Soulful Sundays. It’s where I share the heart behind the brand, the lessons along the journey, and all the wax magic in between.
👉 Watch Soulful Sundays Here
Until then, keep glowing, keep caring for yourself, and keep lighting up the world—one candle at a time.
With Love & Gratitude,
💛 Kandie