The next powerhouse woman we're featuring in our Women in Business series is none other than Brit Tincup. She founded the intentional luxury candle line Haven & Flux out of the desire to spark joy in life through the simple act of lighting a candle. When buying Haven & Flux candles, you don't just buy a candle; you sign up for non-toxic, multi-dimensional, and sophisticated fragrances. Plus, with beautiful clean branding and plenty of intentions and scents to choose from, the Haven & Flux candle is sure to match the aesthetic of your home.

So who is the woman behind the brand advocating for mental health, joyful living, and an intentional lifestyle? What challenges did she face along the way, and how did she overcome them? Well, there is only one way to find out!

Why did you decide to become an entrepreneur?

It was never a moment of making a decision; it was just always something I knew I would do. I was really creative from a very young age and learned the importance of making money to have the things I wanted. My dad was an entrepreneur, and I got to watch him create businesses. We were always taught that if you work hard, you can achieve whatever you want. When I entered the workforce and dove into my career, I saw that my hard work was paying off for everyone else more than it paid off for me. Then later, when my life was shaken up. I realized, well, it couldn't get much worse than this. So I decided to take the risk and invest everything I had into myself and my business.

What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you overcome them?

This is a two-parter:

There is a lot of self-doubts. One moment, you're super confident, and things seem to be going great. Then all of a sudden, you get hit with a minor hiccup, and you immediately doubt all of the success you've had. I've been rooting down into my wellness routines and gratitudes. I ask myself "why?" a lot. For example, I'll wake up and think I'll never sell another candle. I will immediately ask myself why I believe that to be true? I think it challenges my brain to think differently. It's also a great way to hold myself accountable. Sometimes I'm not putting in the effort I should be.

As it turns out, running a business is very time-consuming and very hard. It requires a lot from us, especially in the beginning. I've lost some of my most cherished relationships because they couldn't hold space for me, and I couldn't hold space for them. You learn who your people are and how to set boundaries with everyone. It's a really hard and sometimes heartbreaking process. I'm currently overcoming this one, and it's a daily practice. It comes down to understanding my values, my goals, and my vision. Haven and Flux was not created to be just a candle. I want to make a difference in how we treat ourselves, how we cope with mental health/illness, and how we treat people who suffer from mental illnesses. I want it to be a lifestyle. It might sound harsh, but if people want to be in my life, they have to know that comes first, and I have to be okay with losing people for the greater good.

How do you differentiate yourself in this challenging industry?

I ask myself this question every day. I think we can fall into a scarcity mindset, which keeps us from doing great things. There are millions of products especially, jewelry brands and candle brands. The piece that differentiates them isn't the designs; it's the story. Haven and Flux is a fragrance line for mental health. That alone has been a strong way we differentiate ourselves. Going forward, there will (for better or for worse) be more of me being the face of the brand. It's admittedly a very scary concept for someone who hasn't always followed the rules and has been told I'm too much more than I'd like to admit. I'm a work in progress, but I think there is a relatability there that my customers will appreciate. Haven and Flux is a lifestyle brand for your home and your health. I think it's important I share my process and let people know it's okay to be a mess and still try to be better every day. That's how we'll make the biggest difference in our community and hopefully in the world someday.

What or who has been the most significant influence in your business and why?

My brother. He has struggled with a severe mental illness for the last nine years. Watching him struggle to stay sane, how people treat him, and the lack/difficulty of services for people like him has been heartbreaking. I would be lying if I told you that he and I have a great relationship; we have a limited relationship. The guilt and anxiety I have surrounding that alone are pretty intense. I wish there was more I could do for him, and I wish I knew how to be there for him in a way that doesn't enable some of his choices. I don't. I only know how to share our story with people to hopefully rethink how they look at and treat people who suffer from mental illnesses and homelessness. He's the reason I'll give up everything to make Haven and Flux more than just a candle line.

Do you listen to podcasts or read motivational books, and if so, which ones do you recommend?

I do! I love podcasts; my favorite is The Skinny Confidential. I also love The World's First Podcast with Erin & Sara Foster, My Favorite Murder, Berning in Hell, Crime Junkie, Unzipped, Sword and Scale, New Mindset, Who Dis?. A MUST read book is The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy, which truly changed how I look at my life.

What advice would you give to women who are interested in starting their own business?

Your feelings matter. If you find a need for it, so does someone else. You're more than capable. Just do it because you can't get time back, and if you try, you'll only come out smarter and more resilient. So there's really nothing to lose. Oh, and hire a life/business coach; sometimes, we need a little help from an unbiased, trained professional.

There are a lot of uncertainties in life, but Haven & Flux crushing the candle game is not one of them. Here's how you can support them! Also, stay tuned for more entrepreneurial journeys coming your way over the next few weeks.