Meet Daina Houghton

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daina Houghton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Daina , so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.

I remember I was having a bad day one day and I was sitting in my bedroom, crying. I couldn’t understand why certain things were happening to me. I had a conversation with my business and he guided me to set challenges for myself to boost my focus and confidence. I was upset but I realized it was something I needed to figure out. Over a course of time, I took inventory of myself and decided that I needed to change a few things in order to continue being happy with what I do. I overcame imposter syndrome through a combination of a few things: self-reflection, mentorship, and exposure to challenges.. By celebrating small achievements, seeking support from my family and friends, and focusing on my strengths, it built confidence in my abilities. I embrace having a growth mindset and I seen setbacks as opportunities for learning rather than validation of self-doubt.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I own Dainty Radiance, an all-natural, soy-based candle company. What I find most exciting and special about my small business is the art of leaving a lasting impression in people’s spaces. It’s the facial expressions that prospective and current customers have when they first smell our products. We bring a sense of calm and nostalgia to what we create. The first “oh my goodness” or “this smell reminds me of..” sets the tone and we are satisfied by the reactions. Our core philosophy is built off self-care because it so important to the mind for clarity and peace.

In addition to the collections of candles we have on our site, and our candle workshops, we do offer candle consultations. If there’s a scent that you’ve always looked for but can never find, or you’d like a candle for your home, business, or special event? We can create that perfect candle for you!

We will be starting self-care classes to go along with our candle making workshops in the Spring of 2025.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Perseverance, Customer Service, and Fragrance Blending were the most impactful on my journey. Perseverance because building a small business takes dedication and patience. Especially during challenges and slow growth phases. Customer Service is important because establishing good communication with your customers, addressing their concerns, and building relationships For long-term success and customer loyalty. Lastly, Fragrance blending is so an area of knowledge I’m very good at. I loved chemistry as a kid, and knowing what mixes together and what doesn’t was always fascinating. It’s very critical for candle-making because you have to know what goes together.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I am looking for folks to collaborate with who would like their own candle for their brand or business. I am looking for people who are driven and want to have a great quality item in their home or business and represent who they are. If you are looking for a candles, Reed diffuser, or even wax melts, Dainty Radiance has you covered. You can visit our website to contact us or send us a message on Instagram using the word “Candle.”

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