My small business got 21 orders in like… two hours (still screaming), so while I’m packing up a whole stack of “oopsie” candles for Monica’s Collective, I’m walking you through the 21 biggest mistakes I’ve made over 6 years of being a small business owner—and how those mistakes lowkey led me to the stability and confidence I have now. The oopsie products are a perfect example: they’re totally safe and functional, just imperfect in tiny ways (a scuff, a label bubble, a slightly lower fill line), and instead of tossing them, I discounted them and launched them because sustainability is a real value in my brand, not just a cute word. I talk about treating my business like a hobby for way too long, holding onto “loser products” for emotional reasons, spreading myself way too thin while working a 9–5, and deprioritizing customer service (including a painful email I missed that cost me a loyal customer). I also get into cheaping out on supplies, consuming more than creating, relying too heavily on vendor markets, ignoring product photography, trying to appeal to everyone, and why email marketing matters more than I wanted to admit. Basically: I’m proof you can mess up a lot—and still build something cozy, sustainable, and profitable if you actually learn from it and keep showing up.