I finally accepted that my custom candle making business failed due to poor market timing.

Back in 2010, selling handmade candles on Etsy was lucrative because platforms favored small creators. I expanded too quickly, investing in bulk supplies without researching seasonal demand shifts. When summer hit, sales plummeted because nobody wanted spicy autumn scents in July. I stubbornly held onto inventory, hoping for a rebound that never came. Now, seeing how data analytics dictate success, I realize my old-school intuition was flawed. The side hustle game has evolved from passion projects to calculated risks. My failure taught me that adaptability trumps tradition every time.