What's Happening?
Taylor Kelly, a 34-year-old entrepreneur in Atlanta, successfully transitioned her candle-making workshop side hustle, Eventful ATL, into a full-time business after being laid off from her corporate marketing job in May 2025. Kelly started hosting candle-making workshops
in early 2023 as a way to meet people after moving to Atlanta, leveraging her hobby from the COVID-19 pandemic. The venture quickly expanded beyond candle making to include various other classes like flower arranging, pasta making, and wine tasting, partnering with a local venue. Eventful ATL's revenue grew from $2,000 in 2023 to nearly $75,000 in 2025 after Kelly committed to it full-time, and it is projected to reach around $100,000 in 2026. The business now hosts 15 to 20 events monthly, including public classes and private team-building experiences for companies like Google and Home Depot, and employs eight to ten contractors and instructors.
Why It's Important?
This story highlights the growing trend of individuals leveraging side hustles into full-time entrepreneurial ventures, particularly in response to economic shifts like layoffs. It demonstrates the resilience and adaptability required in the modern job market, where traditional employment can be uncertain. Kelly's success underscores the potential for passion-driven projects to become viable businesses, offering both financial independence and personal fulfillment. The rapid growth of Eventful ATL also reflects a strong market demand for experiential activities and unique social gatherings, indicating a shift in consumer preferences towards interactive and skill-based entertainment. Furthermore, the business's ability to attract major corporate clients for team-building events showcases the value of creative and engaging experiences in the corporate world, providing an alternative to traditional corporate outings. This narrative serves as an inspiring example for others considering entrepreneurship, illustrating how a strategic pivot can turn adversity into opportunity.
What's Next?
Taylor Kelly plans to continue expanding Eventful ATL, with a focus on scalability and brand partnerships. The business has already secured its first permanent space in downtown Atlanta, indicating a commitment to long-term growth and increased operational capacity. Kelly aims to implement systems that allow the team to manage classes independently, facilitating expansion into new markets such as Miami and New York. A significant push for brand partnerships is planned for 2027, which could further diversify revenue streams and increase market reach. While Kelly is fully committed to growing Eventful ATL, she also acknowledges the possibility of future opportunities, suggesting an open-minded approach to her entrepreneurial journey. The immediate future involves managing a busy schedule of events towards the end of 2026, particularly during the holiday season, which is a critical period for experiential businesses.
Beyond the Headlines
Kelly's journey reflects a broader societal shift towards valuing experiential consumption and community-based activities. In an increasingly digital world, there's a growing desire for tangible, in-person experiences that foster connection and creativity. Eventful ATL taps into this need, offering a diverse range of workshops that cater to various interests. The story also subtly touches upon the evolving nature of work and career satisfaction. For Kelly, the transition from a corporate job to full-time entrepreneurship was driven not just by necessity but also by a desire for more exciting and fulfilling work. This highlights a growing sentiment among professionals seeking purpose and passion in their careers, even if it means taking on greater risk. The success of Eventful ATL also demonstrates the power of local economies and small businesses in creating unique community offerings and employment opportunities, contributing to the vibrancy of urban centers like Atlanta.
