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

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/from-layoff-to-leader-how-taylor-kelly-turned-a-candle-making-hobby-into-a-thriving-atlanta-enterprise/
- Published: 2026-10-30T10:03:16+00:00
- Author: Olamide

## 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](https://www.businessinsider.com/candle-making-events-side-hustle-small-business-eventful-layoff-2026-10)

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  TL;DR (AI Generated)

After moving to Atlanta in 2023, Taylor Kelly began hosting candle-making workshops
as a hobby, which eventually evolved into a formal business called Eventful ATL.

When he was laid off from his corporate marketing job in 2025, he decided to transition
his side venture into a full-time enterprise rather than re-entering the workforce.

Today, the experiential brand has expanded to offer diverse classes and major corporate
partnerships, generating significant revenue and securing a permanent space in downtown
Atlanta.

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