Help Us Save Our Gatlinburg Dream

22 hours ago

3 min read

Updated: 36 minutes ago

There is something we haven't found easy to talk about.

For the past two years, our family has worked hard to build Southern Timeless Candles into something special in Gatlinburg. We've created a place where people can slow down, get creative, make something with their own hands, and leave with a memory they made themselves.

We built this business ourselves.

There were no investors behind us. No business loan. No family member waiting in the wings with money if things became difficult.

We used our own savings, our own hard work, and a whole lot of determination to turn an idea into a real business.

Every table, every candle, every experience, and every improvement has come from putting what we had back into Southern Timeless Candles.

We've always believed that if we worked hard enough, we could make this work.

But right now, we need help.

We are on a very short timeline.

We have reached a point where we need to raise the funds necessary to keep moving forward now.

Not someday.

Not next year.

Now.

We are fighting for the opportunity to stay, strengthen what we've built, and take Southern Timeless Candles into its next chapter.

We aren't ready to give up on what we've created.

And we're asking for help because we don't want to.

Why We Need Help

Business has slowed down, while the cost of operating a small business in Gatlinburg continues to rise.

Supplies have become more expensive. Operating costs continue to climb. And because our studio is tucked away from the busiest tourist corridors, we've always had to work harder to let visitors know we're here.

We've done everything we can to keep going.

We've put our own money into the business. We've worked through the difficult days. We've continued creating new experiences and finding new ways to bring people through our doors.

But we've reached the point where we can't do the next part alone.

That's why we're asking our community for help.

Help Us Stay. Help Us Build.

This fundraiser isn't just about keeping the lights on.

We want to build a stronger, more sustainable Southern Timeless Candles.

We want to improve our existing studio, make it more comfortable and welcoming, expand what we're able to offer, and create additional ways for the business to generate income.

One part of that vision is eventually adding a small food-service concept that would give visitors another reason to find us — whether they're looking for a quick bite before a hike, something lighter during a busy day in Gatlinburg, or simply another reason to stop by.

But the heart of Southern Timeless Candles will remain what we've worked so hard to create.

Hands-on experiences.

Making a wood-wick candle.

Blending a perfume or cologne that's completely your own.

Celebrating a birthday, bachelorette trip, family vacation or special moment.

Giving visitors something they can't get just anywhere.

We don't want to simply survive another season.

We want to build something that lasts.

This Is Where We Need You

Asking for help is not easy for us.

For two years, we've done this ourselves.

But right now, we have a very short window to make this happen.

If you've ever visited us, made a candle, created a fragrance, celebrated with us, brought your family through our doors, told a friend about us, shared one of our posts, or simply believed in what we're building — you are already part of this story.

Now we're asking you to help us write the next chapter.

If you can donate, please do it now.

Even a small donation can help us get closer to our goal.

And if you can't donate, please share this.

A share costs nothing, but it could put this story in front of the person who can help us get there.

We're not asking you to simply help us keep a business open.

We're asking you to help us stay.

Help us build.

Help us grow.

Help us keep creating the experiences and memories that have made Southern Timeless Candles what it is today.

We have a short amount of time to make this happen, and we don't want to give up on the dream we've spent two years building.