Story & Lesson Highlights with Silvana Johnson of Camarillo

We recently had the chance to connect with Silvana Johnson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Silvana, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
What I’m most proud of building — that nobody sees — is myself. Through building my small business, I’ve learned discipline, perseverance, and the power of showing up even when I don’t feel like it, even when results don’t come right away. My business has been more than a professional journey — it’s been a process of formation. It’s shaped my character, strengthened my faith, and taught me to trust God’s timing.

Each challenge has molded me into a stronger, more grounded, and more faithful person. I’ve realized that I’m my own competition — the goal isn’t to be better than anyone else, but to become a better version of who I was yesterday. That transformation — becoming the person God created me to be — is my greatest achievement, even if no one else sees it.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Silvana Johnson, and together with my husband Wayne, we are the founders and makers of Live Your Faith Catholic. Our brand was born from a desire to bring faith, beauty, and prayer together in a tangible way. Each of our candles is truly special because they include actual prayers based on Scripture or quotes from saints, meant to comfort and guide you through life’s challenges. You simply choose the prayer you need most in that moment and pray with that candle — it becomes a beautiful, multi sensory experience of faith. Every candle is inspired by real life events that this prayers helped us overcome and we believe they will do the same for you.

We recently introduced a new line of sculptural candles — more than just candles, they’re scented works of art embossed with sacred images such as Jesus and the Holy Family, paired with elegant fragrances. We also offer 100% beeswax candles, which carry deep spiritual significance in the Catholic Church, as well as Catholic-inspired jewelry, room sprays, and diffusers.

Everything we create is designed with a modern, elegant aesthetic that fits beautifully in any home decor while serving a deeper purpose — to accompany you in your moments of prayer and to bring light, peace, and grace into your home altar, they also make deep and meaningful gift for love ones.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
God saw me clearly before I could see myself. He saw my potential long before I understood it. He placed this dream in my heart — to create for His Kingdom and to use my gifts for His glory. Before this, I was a jewelry and fashion designer, but God showed me that my purpose was greater — that I could bring light, prayer, and beauty into people’s lives through my work.

And my husband has also been such a big part of that vision. He has always believed in me, especially during times when I doubted myself or felt like giving up. He’s seen my strength, my creativity, and the best version of me even when I couldn’t see it myself. Together, we’ve built something that’s not just a business — it’s our calling and our way of serving God.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there have definitely been times when I felt like giving up — especially during slow seasons or when I started comparing myself to others. It’s so easy to look at other businesses and feel like they’re growing faster or doing better. But I’ve learned that comparison is one of the biggest mistakes we can make. We never really know someone else’s journey — their financial backing, how long they’ve been doing it, or what challenges they face behind the scenes.

Through those moments, I’ve learned to focus on my own growth. My business is growing — maybe not as fast as I want — but it’s still moving forward, and that’s what matters. Even when doubt creeps in, I remind myself that giving up is not an option. I believe deeply in what I do. I’ve seen how my products touch people’s hearts and bring them closer to God. So when those thoughts come, I don’t give them power — I pray, I persevere, and I keep going. Because no one who has ever achieved something meaningful did it by giving up

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
The person I admire most for their character is my husband. He has such a generous heart and lives with incredible integrity. What I love most about him is that he’s the same person whether we’re alone or surrounded by others — honest, grounded, and true to who he is. His work ethic is remarkable, and his faith in God is unshakable. He’s a godly man who leads with truth, faith, and strength.

He’s my partner, my best friend, and my biggest encourager. He lifts me up when I doubt myself and reminds me of my worth when I forget it. Even if he would never say “I love you” which he does all the time I know he loves me deeply, I feel it through his actions, because his love is expressed in everything he does. He’s intentional, hardworking, and dedicated — to his faith, his family, and his calling. I learn from him every single day, and I truly admire him for the man he is. He is a gentleman and a leader.

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
Yes, absolutely — I’m truly excited about what I do. Creating for Live Your Faith Catholic brings me so much happiness and fulfillment. Every time I get an idea for a new candle, I feel that spark of inspiration. When I discover the perfect scent, design a new vessel, or open a box with new labels I’ve dreamed up, it feels like Christmas morning. I get excited when we do giveaways and see how happy people are to receive something made with love and prayer.

I also feel that same joy when I get to work alongside my husband at live events — spending the day together, meeting new people, and hearing stories of how our candles have touched lives. When customers tell me that praying with our candles has brought them peace or healing, it fills my heart. Those are the moments that make me “tap dance to work” — knowing that what I create is making a difference, one prayer at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://liveyourfaithcatholic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liveyourfaithcatholic
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liveyourfaithcatholic
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@liveyourfaithcatholic
• Other: https://pinterest.com/liveyourfaithcatholic

Image Credits
Chelsea Barret Photography