HEY, I'M Shannon
I’m not just a girl with bad posture and daddy issues; I’m also a philanthropist and the person running this lil’ side-hustle-turned-socially-conscious-enterprise called The Prospect Project.
Donating to charities? That’s hot.
Like that school kid who knocked on your door and asked if you’d like to sponsor their Read-a-thon and 40-hour famine efforts (except less annoying), we’re totally down with putting out for a good cause.
Having witnessed firsthand the life-changing effects of giving back to those who have lost so much, we know that while charity may start at home, it also starts with us.
Take That, Rewind It Back:
Life BC (Before Candles) to… well, five minutes ago.
There are a few ways to make it in biz: be a multi-millionaire, sleep your way to the top, or have a killer origin story.
I’m proud to say I can tick at least one of those boxes (*wink*).
Pack It Up, Pack It In, Let Me Begin.
I grew up as a pint-sized powerhouse who loved basketball, WWF wrestling, and crushing it on Mario Kart. Even though I knew I wasn't quite like the other kids, I only wanted to fit in. Desperately. When I wasn’t belting out I’ll Make Love to You by Boyz II Men (which, in hindsight, is super sus), I was volunteering and trying to make the world a better place.
At 13, my world was rocked when my cousins tragically lost their lives in the Interlaken Swiss Canyoning Disaster while on their honeymoon. I saw the power of resilience firsthand as my family started a charity dedicated in their honour. Determined to do my part to make a difference, I donated $100 of my babysitting earnings.
Still Not A Player
The Noughties hit in all their glory, and with it came my undiagnosed clinical depression. (Ugh.) Despite my fambam's love, support and encouragement, my overwhelming fear of failure had me playing it safe (read: boring) in my career, so I switched from beauty therapy to corporate admin.
If You Had.One Shot.Or One Opportunity.
After raw-doggin’ my mental health for over a decade, I finally got an offish’ CD diagnosis. Armed with my therapist’s strategies and some kick-ass antidepressants, my boyfriend (soon-to-be husband) encouraged me to start a business. The plan? Sell a product with a portion of the sale donated to the customer's chosen cause. Inspired by my West Perth street and the idea that projects have end dates (just in case this whole entrepreneur thing didn't pan out), ‘The Prospect Project’ was (kinda, sorta) born.
With no business knowledge, mentor, or money, TPP started as an online store selling healthy granolas inspired by my favourite rappers —Ludacrisp, Lil Grain & Choctor Dre— I made in the kitchen of our 115-year-old house. In my spare time, I made candles in recycled jars with my bestie. You know, for shits 'n giggs.
Whoomp! There It Is…
Wanting to thank one of my granola clients, I used my shitty home printer to print out a custom “THIS CANDLE SMELLS LIKE (CAFE)” label and whacked it on one of my homemade candles. They a) loved it and b) asked for more. Seeing a gap in the market for unique, unfiltered, unpretentious candles with an intentionally box-less design, I started planning my next big move, which would allow me to double down on my commitment to sustainability.
Even while doing the full-time admin gig, The Prospect Project grew a loyal following of candle and granola lovers alike. I also collaborated with other Perth-based small businesses. Around this time, I discovered being different was actually the key to my success, and I started embracing my quirks instead of trying to fit in. Phew.
My Life Got Flipped, Turned Upside Down
Found out I was pregnant (yay!) in the middle of house renos (not yay). I was diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, which left me violently ill and on medical bed rest. I also got my first nationwide order for Myer. (Yes, *that* Myer.) Somehow, I managed to pull it together while being sick, preggers, working full-time, and operating TPP out of a tiny closet. But I knew something had to give, so I said buh-bye to the granola and the admin job.
My daughter, Ella, was born 6 weeks premature and spent two weeks in NICU. Meanwhile, I was back at TPP packing orders (against the doctor’s instructions) five days after an emergency C-section.
Ghetto Superstar
I launched TPP’s very first charity collab candle. A tribute to my bestie Lisa, whose son was born sleeping, the candle was called ‘Stars in The Sky', and I donated 100% of the proceeds to The Stillbirth Foundation Australia. Ella also fell critically ill and was hospitalised, so I prepared our second nationwide Myer order from Ella’s bedside.
The Year of the ‘Rona. I moved TPP operations into our garage to be safe, cranked out yet another Myer order (despite international supply shortages), and launched a range of pandemic-themed candles to bring some light to people’s lives (pun *totally* intended).
Something Like a Phenomenon
Two big milestones: TPP clocked 50,000 candles made and $32,000 donated to not-for-profits. I also got the keys to 100 sqm of commercial space in Osborne Park. Sure, it was giving daggy 70’s office vibes, but I saw the potential to turn it into the uplifting, inspiring, pastel-and-neon workspace of my candle-makin’ dreams.
After weeks of non-stop renovating and DIY’ing with my husband and toddler, I opened the doors to TPP's new digs. On a whim, I offered a monthly candle-making workshop. The demand grew quicker than I could believe, and soon, I held sold-out weekly workshops.
I Must Gotta Angel
Launched my long-awaited custom perfume class. While setting up for a workshop one day, a car accidentally crashed through TPP’s front window at full speed and landed inside the studio. Thankfully, it narrowly missed me, but it destroyed everything in the process and left me traumatised. With the help of my incredible friends, family, and community, I was able to get back to teaching classes within a fortnight, even though I continued to receive weekly counselling sessions to manage my PTSD and depression.
Started From the Bottom, Now We’re Here
TPP’s studio is bigger and better than ever. My drive to inspire Ella to be brave, resilient, and compassionate keeps me going through the hard times. I've celebrated 10 years in business, over 100,000 candles made, and $100,000 donated to NFPs across Australia. And thankfully, I don’t have to go back to that admin job.
YOU ARE WHO YOU HANG WITH
We value community over competition. Heart over hustle. People over profit.
That’s why we’re proud to work with some of the best in the biz today. We mean it when we say none of this would be possible (*gestures around*) without the assistance of the incredible female-owned businesses we collaborate with on the reg.
WHO WE’VE WORKED WITH
But before you start thinking I’m just another Millennial on a mish to sort out the world’s f*ckery, you should probably know…..
My ride-or-die girlfriends, known as “The Clams” (and yes, whatever you’re thinking about that name is 100% accurate), have been by my side for over 30 years. Our Vegas trip in 2015 was basically “Girls Trip” meets “The Hangover” (all 3 of ’em).
My toxic trait is thinking I can DIY everything and anything. There’s nothing that I’m not willing to have a crack at doing myself – small business, decor, chef, surgeon, therapist – you name it, I’ll take a shot at it.
Reality TV is my happy place. I still drop classic one-liners like “Cash me outside, howbow dah?” and “Ain’t nobody got time for that” in casual conversation.
Not-so-fun fact: I’m a massive introvert with social anxiety, so running a business that involves standing in front of large groups of strangers and talking about myself is super out of my comfort zone. But since I’d make a so-so stripper (my backup career option), I’ve learnt to embrace putting myself out there.
If Mariah Carey’s Fantasy comes on, best believe I’ll dropkick anyone blocking my path to the karaoke mic. What I lack in vocal talent, I absolutely make up for in performance value.
I once split my face open doing ‘The Worm’ at my mate’s hen’s party, which resulted in a trip to the ED for a quick tetanus shot and 7 stitches. Was I starting a new job that Monday? Yes. Did I eventually remove the stitches myself? Also yes (#diyqueen).
Here’s what people are saying about us
So, now you know all that…..wanna hang out?
CANDLE MAKING
WORKSHOPS
PERFUME
WORKSHOPS
