Journal

The Reality Behind the Glow: A Little Honesty from a Small Business Owner

It’s our busiest time of year coming up soon. It feels so far away, yet somehow just around the corner. I’m not feeling prepared or ready at all — in fact, I’m feeling totally and utterly disorganised. Everything feels like it needs to come together all at once, and honestly, I can’t quite see how yet. There’s this big mental block in the way — maybe this is what writers mean when they talk about “writer’s block.”

Today, I managed to sneak out for lunch with one of my closest friends — just us, kid-free (which almost never happens!). We got chatting about business, influencers, and how easy everything can look online. It’s all glitter and glamour on the surface — perfectly curated photos, effortless success stories — but in reality, is it ever really that simple?

I’ve always believed that transparency is key. From the ingredients in my products to the way I make them, honesty has always been at the heart of Nevanthi Organics. If you ever see me at a craft fair, please come and say hello — I’ll happily chat about every candle, every scent, every ingredient that goes into what I make.

But I’ll also be honest about the other side — the messy, unfiltered, small business side. Because behind the polished photos and pretty packaging, there’s just me. Like so many other small business owners, I’m balancing everything with what’s left after life: bills, kids, pets, jobs, and a home that always seems to need tidying.

As I write this, my two dogs and my daughter are playing beside me, my son keeps popping in to talk, and I keep losing my train of thought. That’s just life. Real, noisy, beautiful life.

And just now — as if on cue — my eldest has come downstairs in a huff because she’s spilled old paint water all over her bedding and the floor, despite being told (many times!) to tidy up her art supplies. So, I stop writing again to clean up another mess.

But maybe that’s exactly the point of this post — a little glimpse into the daily life of a woman-owned, transparent small business, trying to grow in a world of big, faceless brands with endless budgets and teams of people behind them.

For me, and for so many like me, it’s not an overnight success story. It’s slow, steady, and built with love — between school runs, work shifts, and paint spills.

So here’s to all of us small business owners doing our best — imperfectly, honestly, and with heart. 💛