From Layoff to Leader: How Taylor Kelly Turned a Candle-Making Hobby into a Thriving Atlanta Enterprise

A Humble Beginning in Atlanta

For many, the transition to a new city can be isolating, but for Taylor Kelly, moving to Atlanta in 2023 served as the catalyst for an unexpected entrepreneurial journey. Seeking a way to connect with his new community and break the monotony of remote work, Kelly began hosting candle-making workshops during his evenings and weekends. The craft, which he had refined as a personal hobby during the COVID-19 pandemic and his graduate studies, quickly gained traction.

What started as a modest endeavor generated $2,000 in revenue during its first year. Recognizing the potential for growth, Kelly formalized the operation by creating a legal entity, Eventful ATL. As interest in his workshops grew, he began collaborating with local venue partners to expand his offerings, introducing sessions in flower arranging and caviar tasting. By 2024, the business had scaled significantly, reaching $16,000 in revenue.

The Turning Point: Navigating Corporate Uncertainty

While building Eventful ATL, Kelly maintained a full-time role in marketing for a New York-based jewelry company, a position he had held since 2019, with a brief hiatus to complete an MBA at the University of Miami. However, in May 2025, the stability of his corporate career vanished when he was laid off. Reflecting on the experience, Kelly noted that while the loss of income was stressful, the existence of his side business provided a vital safety net that prevented him from spiraling.

Following the layoff, Kelly initially attempted to re-enter the corporate workforce. He describes a frustrating job search process characterized by hundreds of applications, vanishing job postings, and a lack of roles that truly excited him. Realizing that his energy was better spent nurturing his own venture, he made the difficult but decisive choice to commit to Eventful ATL full-time.

Scaling an Experiential Brand

The transition to full-time entrepreneurship proved fruitful. By the end of 2025, Eventful ATL had generated nearly $75,000 in revenue. As of late 2026, the company is on track to hit the $100,000 mark. The business has evolved into a diverse platform offering over 12 different class topics, including pasta making, tea blending, charcuterie design, and seasonal workshops like gift-wrapping and wreath-making.

The company now hosts between 15 and 20 events monthly, catering to both the public and corporate sectors. Eventful ATL has secured partnerships with major organizations, including Google, Salesforce, Chick-fil-A, and Home Depot, providing team-building experiences for their employees and clients. To manage this volume, Kelly works with a team of eight to 10 contractors and instructors, though he remains actively involved in teaching and facilitating operations.

Looking Toward the Future

The growth of the business has brought new milestones, including a lease for a permanent space in downtown Atlanta and appearances on local media and Bravo. For Kelly, the focus has now shifted toward long-term scalability. He is currently developing systems that allow the business to function effectively even in his absence, a necessary step for his planned expansion into markets like New York and Miami.

Despite the anxiety that comes with managing a high volume of holiday events, Kelly remains optimistic about the road ahead. With plans for a major push into brand partnerships in 2027, he views the current success not as a final destination, but as a foundation for broader influence. While he remains open to future opportunities, his commitment to the growth of Eventful ATL remains his primary focus, driven by the realization that his professional life is now directly tied to the success of the business he built from the ground up.

Source: businessinsider.com