Check Out Samm Stangeland’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Samm Stangeland. 

Hi Samm, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Definitely! As long as I can remember, I’ve always been a huge fan of music. Growing up, my immediate family would all influence me with their particular tastes, so I have a pretty vast penchant for music. As a teen, music was always my outlet and as soon as I got my driver’s license, I started going to shows. 

I always knew I wanted to work in the music industry but had no idea how or what I wanted to do. One day around 13 years ago, I found myself with that opportunity and it completely changed my life. I always think back on how if I were to have said no to that opportunity, how incredibly different my life would be. 

The job was a “runner,” basically a go-for, at a Spanish concert for Live Nation. One show led to another and by the end of that season, I had moved up to a Production Coordinator. The years moved along and all in all, I have been a part of some of the most amazing concerts in the world. In 2019, I also started working as a Production Coordinator and Road Manager for the Crew for none other than Lady Gaga. Throughout those 10 years, I can whole-heartedly reflect and say they were the best. I had definitely found my calling and loved what I did. 

Fast forward to March 2020 and it all stopped. Within a day, all concerts went away – as we all know – so, that left me with an incredible void and a ton of anxiety. 

Somewhere in the midst of 2019, with everything else going on, I had started very slowly chipping away at a business idea I had had for a couple years. It was candles inspired by songs – fitting, right? – and it was called Rock & Roll Candle Co. 

Now, with all my unwanted time off, I figured there was no better time to put my money where my mouth was. I had spouted for (a few) years that I was going to start this business, so even though I had zero entrepreneur experience, I started slowly figuring it out and now we’re here and Rock & Roll Candle Co. has 14 scents and 2 lighters. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all, haha! Starting a business during a pandemic makes nothing easy. From waiting weeks to get wax, to your glasses being out of stock due to supply chain issues to not being able to smell fragrances in person, there have most definitely been struggles. 

Not to mention, everything is brand new for me. I am completely out of my wheelhouse and do not know anything about starting a business and getting it off the ground, but I truly believe in the brand and that keeps me going. And thank god for the internet and podcasts. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Rock & Roll Candle Co. is scents inspired by your favorite songs. The name speaks for itself, but the process is much more than that. 

For instance, one of our scents is Strawberry Fields Forever. Iconic, right?! I guess that could smell like a bunch of different strawberry-associated scents, so I really try to nail down the overall vibe and energy of the song. What did it feel like when The Beatles were sitting in the studio recording this song? How does this song make people feel? So, I used a strawberry cheesecake-scented fragrance oil mixed in with warm vanilla sugar for an overall comforting yet yummy scent. 

I truly have so much fun bringing these songs to light, err life, in a new way. Feels a little mad scientist-like in the lab, haha! 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
There is no lack of things to do in LA. There truly is something for everyone. From architecture to hiking to museums to tons of new restaurants, there is so much culture here and I truly love that. I also love the inspiring people who call this city home. Anything can happen here! Bonus, the weather does not suck, and we are so centrally located to so many other cool locales like Santa Barbara, the desert, Vegas, Baja, etc. 

Number one dislike is of course the traffic, ugh, but fortunately, I’m not stuck in it THAT often. Second runner-up is having to pay for parking when it’s so unnecessary, like going to Target. But you get used to it. And last, the homelessness issue is just so heartbreaking. 

Pricing:

• Candles are $24 to $32
• Lighters are $20
• Custom candles start at $25 – this has been a fun new development. I absolutely love creating custom candles and have made some for Deadmau5, Hollywood Bowl, RHCPs, and more.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.rockandrollcandleco.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/rockandrollcandleco
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/rockandrollcandleco