Meet Darnella Gamble | Candle Mixologist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Darnella Gamble and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Darnella, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Before becoming a ReWax and UnWine Franchisee, my work life balance was very well defined. Having a career that provided me with the flexibility of being able to work from home was very rewarding, I was able to devote more time to my family when needed. This also provided me with an opportunity to leave work at work and that was a benefit for myself as well as my family.

I now see and appreciate the work life balance my career offered. As an entrepreneur the balance has changed. I find that I have become extremely consumed with the business. I can see the good and the bad side of this and have tried to work on ways to make changes. I have given myself set business hours that will allow me an opportunity to decompress mentally and emotionally. I was not doing myself any justice by constantly “being-on.” I needed the time to be there for my family as well as myself. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy what I’m doing, I just need to have personal boundaries to assist with being successful in business as well as outside of work. Staying up all hours of the night working on ways to get the word out, how to increase the business, how to just get the business off the ground was just wearing me out. To top it off, I was trying to do everything myself, but I quickly realized that was not the answer.

As I move through this new chapter, I understand that I will constantly evolve, and the work life balance will have its challenges, so I ask my family and friends to provide me with the grace and understanding that is needed.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
What sets us aside from others would be the experience we provide to each person who enters our doors. We offer more than just candle making. We offer an experience that begins from the moment you walk into the lobby, you are greeted with a ‘Welcome to the party!’, letting you know you are in for a great time. When people enter both the Main & Private rooms, they are always in amazement with the decor and cannot believe something like this is in Johns Creek. After sipping on their favorite wine, they find themselves on center stage belting out their favorite karaoke tunes. Yes, we offer BYOB, karaoke and even candle trivia. This gives people an experience they did not even know they needed.

Our customer service truly represents treating people how you would want to be treated. It is our goal to promote great vibes, cheerful personalities to each person and for them to see how special they are to us.

In the fall of 2022, I saw a segment on the Today Show, where the correspondents experienced a team building activity at ReWax and UnWine in Jersey City. I thought to myself, I would like to make some candles, this looks like so much fun. Then as the segment went on, I thought I could have a business doing this. Low and behold at the end of the segment Ashley Shillingford, CEO/Franchisor of ReWax and UnWine, mentioned a franchising opportunity would be available soon. My ears perked and I said, alright God I see what you are doing. I signed my franchisee agreement by the end of the year and became the first franchisee to open about a year and 6 months later after seeing the segment.

ReWax and UnWine made the process easy. The main issues I encountered during this process were around the contractors. Not to give all contractors a bad name but I did learn how not to do business with contractors. I learned that everything is negotiable, everything needs to be in writing, deadline contingencies, referrals are great as well as your intuition. Paying extra for legal advice is a plus but also doing additional research never hurts.

I want the world to know ReWax and UnWine strive to provide the ultimate customer experience at each location, while making candles in a fantastic upbeat party-like environment. Walking into the building is an experience of its own. People are blown away with the aesthetics, the music and the wonderful signature candles they can create.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Elite Hookah Lounge for dinner and hookah, NFL/NBA game

Chubby Cattle Shabu for dinner then find one of the hidden speakeasies like Red Phone Booth or Forum Cocktail Co

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I like to Shoutout to my beloved family, my mom & dad Henry and Janet Gamble for helping me get the studio up and running, my sister Erica Gamble and my daughter Tylar Matthews! Thank you for your support and being there to cheer me on. My biggest Shoutouts are to Traci Davis and Dexter Matthews.

Thank you, Dexter, for your guidance and patience as I travel through this journey. Thank you for stepping up and making sure that I have what I need for the studio and thank you for being my confidante.

I can honestly say that without Traci Davis being by my side I would not have made it this far. Talk about having the right person on your team, Traci is that person. Traci is more than my best friend with the biggest heart, she is my rock, and she doesn’t even realize how much she means to me and what she has brought to the business. As I sit here in tears just thinking about all the things she brings to the table, it becomes more apparent why she is in my life. Where I fall short Traci is strong. When I need to bounce ideas or try to be creative, Traci is there. When I just need a break Traci is there, thank you Traci for just being you!

Website: https://www.rewaxandunwinejohnscreek.com/

Instagram: @rewaxandunwine_johnscreek

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