Samm Stangeland
Samm Stangeland, CEO of Rock & Roll Candle Co. started her business a few years back. Her work has been seen in Well+Good, Apartment Therapy, Bella Magazine, and Spy.com. As she succeeded within her career as Road Manager and Production Coordinator for Live Nation LA and for Lady Gaga and also wearing the hat of Logistics for Nona Entertainment, she grew her own candle company. When all three jobs halted as a result of the pandemic, her focus was then redirected to growing the Rock & Roll Candle Co company.
How has the pandemic affected you (personally & at a professional level)?
In a lot of ways, at Rock & Roll Candle Co. we feel it has been an incredible time to take a pause and reevaluate our business and lifestyle. We have made huge changes and have brought in new team members to help me throughout the pandemic because I just couldn’t do it all by myself! It’s been such a whirlwind but it has helped me reflect a lot on what is honestly important for me, and one of those things is SELF-CARE. If the life I was leading was actually the life I wanted I would have stayed in old habits and career. But thankfully, I was able to prioritize what’s important, including my health, and now I have a much healthier lifestyle.
Pre Covid-19, I had 3 different jobs in the music industry; Live Nation LA concert production, production coordinator and crew road manager for Lady Gaga, and logistics for booking DJs for corporate events and after-parties – think Globes, SAG, and Grammys. As a result of Covid, they all halted simultaneously. So I had to hustle! I was left without an income and a ton of anxiety. Thankfully this led me to focus on putting health first and I took some time for myself, saw some much-needed faces of good friends, road-tripped a bit, and then I really started to refocus my energy on my candle company Rock & Roll Candle Co. which can now be found on Faire, Dirty Livin’, and our website (as seen on Well+ Good, Apartment Therapy and Bella Magazine). I feel we are just barely scratching the surface and are ready to launch our high-end line (coming soon)!
How have you contributed to Covid-19 management at the personal, professional, mental, emotional, or physical level?
Walking has helped me tremendously! I try to walk at least 5 miles a day, 4-5 days a week and it’s a perfect time to get my calls, texts, emails, podcasts all in, plus it’s my form of exercise. I’ll say it’s completely helped alleviate the anxious tendencies during the past few years, and as a result of taking the time for myself, my mindset is a lot clearer. I can honestly say that it’s been meditative. Plus, it’s a perfect time to digest all the amazing empowerment-focused podcasts that are out there.
In addition, I’ve recalibrated my life and focused a lot of my time and energy on my own business. This time has really allowed me to do that and made me realize that I don’t want to work for other people forever and the time is now.
Message for International Women’s day
Covid-19 has really turned a lot of institutional ways of thinking upside down. With the great crisis, comes great opportunity and there’s no better time than now to forge ahead and create the future you want for yourself. I believe as women, we have many achievements throughout our daily lives at home and also in our careers. I challenge the status quo by empowering myself and other women friends around me to go for their dreams and to take good care of them in the process. Owning your own business during
Covid-19 has been my biggest triumph and it continues to teach me that women are meant to be high-earners and that taking care of ourselves is what’s truly important for us at Rock & Roll Candle Co.!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
