Juggling Holiday Travel and Your Busiest Season: A Candle Business Survival Guide
, par Mika Jackson, 6 min temps de lecture
The holidays are a beautiful contradiction for candle business owners. It's our busiest, most profitable time of year, and it's also when we're expected to travel, visit family, and participate in all those beloved family traditions. At Luminate 365 Candles, I know this balancing act all too well. Here's how I keep my business thriving while I am moving through airports, family gatherings, and everything in between.
The Holiday Hustle Reality
Running a candle business during the holidays while traveling is tough. Orders are flooding in, customers have questions, inventory needs monitoring, and meanwhile, you're supposed to be enjoying turkey dinner at your in-laws' house or attending your niece's holiday recital. The guilt can go both ways, feeling like you're neglecting your business or feeling like you're not fully present with loved ones.
The good news? With the right preparation and realistic expectations, you can successfully navigate both.
Plan Ahead Like Your Sanity Depends On It (Because It Does)
Start early with inventory and production. Don't wait until November to ramp up. By early fall, you should have a clear picture of your holiday inventory needs based on previous years. Stock up on your best-sellers and have backup supplies ready. The last thing you want is to be sourcing emergency wax shipments from your parents' guest room.
Set clear cut-off dates for holiday orders. Be transparent with customers about your last order dates for guaranteed holiday delivery. Build in buffer time for yourself. If you're traveling December 20th, your cut-off should probably be December 15th at the latest. Communicate these dates everywhere, your website, social media, email newsletters, and order confirmation messages.
Batch your work before you leave. If you're handling fulfillment yourself, dedicate focused days to getting orders packed and shipped before your trip. Block out distractions and treat it like the sprint it is. Future you will be grateful.
Automate What You Can
Email automation is your best friend. Set up auto-responders letting customers know you're traveling and when they can expect responses. Create FAQ pages that answer common questions so customers can self-serve. Schedule holiday content and promotions in advance so your social media stays active even when you're offline.
Use order management tools. If you're using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or others, leverage their automation features. Automatic order confirmations, shipping notifications, and tracking updates keep customers informed without requiring your constant attention.
Consider a shipping partner. If your business has grown to where fulfillment takes significant time, look into third-party fulfillment services or temporary help. Yes, there's a cost, but the peace of mind during travel season might be worth every penny.
Set Boundaries and Communicate Them
Be honest with customers and family. Let your customers know you're a small business owner who also values family time. Most people are understanding and will respect clear communication. Similarly, let your family know you may need to check in on the business occasionally. Setting expectations prevents resentment on both sides.
Designate specific "business hours" during your trip. Maybe it's checking emails for 30 minutes each morning before everyone wakes up, or handling urgent matters during your flight. Having set times helps you stay present during family moments while ensuring nothing critical slips through the cracks.
Know what constitutes an actual emergency. Not every email requires an immediate response. A customer asking about a scent preference can wait until you're back. A shipping error affecting multiple orders might need attention sooner. Decide your criteria in advance.
Create a Crisis Management Plan
Have a backup contact. Whether it's a business partner, trusted friend, or virtual assistant, identify someone who can handle true emergencies if something goes wrong. Give them access to necessary accounts and clear instructions on what to do if disaster strikes.
Prepare for common issues. Create templates for addressing delayed shipments, damaged products, or customer complaints. Having these ready means you can respond quickly without crafting thoughtful responses from your phone in a noisy airport.
Keep essential access handy. Store important passwords, supplier contacts, and account information securely but accessibly. Cloud-based password managers are lifesavers when you need to log in from an unfamiliar device.
Be Strategic About Travel Timing
If possible, avoid peak travel days. Traveling on Thanksgiving Day or Christmas Eve when everyone else is on the road adds unnecessary stress. Flying mid-week or off-peak hours often means smoother travel and more mental bandwidth for any business needs.
Consider shorter trips. Instead of being gone for ten days, maybe you do two long weekends. You stay connected to the business while still getting quality time with loved ones. Not always possible, but worth considering.
Build in buffer days. Don't schedule travel right up to your last shipping day or return home the day a big restock is happening. Give yourself breathing room on both ends.
Accept That Perfect Doesn't Exist
Something will probably not go exactly as planned. An order might ship late. You might miss a customer email. Your aunt might interrupt your "business hour" with an urgent need to show you her cat's new trick. And that's okay.
The holidays are about balance, not perfection. Your customers chose a small business because they value the personal touch and that includes understanding that you're a real person with a real life. Most will be patient and gracious if you've communicated clearly.
Your family also deserves your presence. Running a successful business is important, but so are the memories you're creating. Don't let the stress of perfect execution rob you of actually enjoying the season you work so hard to celebrate.
Post-Travel Recovery
Plan for a catch-up day. When you return, block out time to respond to any accumulated messages, address issues, and get back into your routine. Don't expect to jump straight back into full productivity.
Review what worked and what didn't. Take notes while it's fresh: What automation saved you? What caused stress? What would you do differently next year? These insights make next holiday season smoother.
Rest. You just survived your busiest business season while traveling during the holidays. That's no small feat. Give yourself credit and permission to recharge.
There You Go...
Running a candle business during the holidays while managing travel is challenging, but it's also a privilege. You've built something that thrives during this magical season, and you have people who want to spend time with you. Both are blessings worth the juggling act.
With solid preparation, clear communication, and realistic expectations, you can keep the lights burning bright in your business while also being present for the holiday moments that matter. Your candles help others create warm, memorable gatherings, make sure you're creating some of those memories for yourself too.
From my family at Luminate 365 Candles, wishing you smooth travels, successful sales, and a season filled with light.