9 Things You Need to Know Before Starting a Candle Making Business in 2024
Thinking of starting a candle business this year?
Well, I'm not going to say I'm completely shocked. Candles are beautiful and are some of the best ways to create a business that you can mold into your own.
Candles have a high success rate, and with a lot of work, time, and preparation, they can really excel in the candle industry.
But I would be lying to you if I said you'd be successful after the first year or even 2. It may take you a couple of years to make a full profit.
There are going to be weeks you make zero sales, but this is the nature of the candle business. Are you ready to handle the stress of growing a successful candle business? That's great because I, for sure, wasn't prepared.
When I decided to start a candle business, I immediately went on AliBaba and started ordering hundreds of dollars worth of candle products. I ordered thousands of dollars worth of candle wax and supplies without having an actual plan.
This resulted in me having so much supplies I almost gave up. I even went as far as to purchase a $1200 dipping candle tank because I was convinced I could make all types of candles! What a mistake. So in this post, I am going to save you the trouble of wasting time and money this year.
My recommendation: Fiverr is essential for candle businesses, offering a variety of skilled freelancers for tasks like product photography, packaging design, and social media content creation. With affordable services and on-demand options, business owners can enhance their brand image and expand efficiently. Leveraging Fiverr's expertise lets candle makers focus on crafting quality products while driving business growth
Your candle business is going to be successful if you prepare before you do anything crazy or make impulse purchases. In today's post, we are going to talk about 9 essential things you need before starting a candle making business in 2024.
A Well-Researched Business Plan to Guide Your Success
Like I stated before, I wasn't the smartest girl when it came to finances. So, I maxed out multiple credit cards diving into many areas of candle making.
I didn't understand that there were many types of candles that could be made and I shouldn't aim to do all of them at the same time. I know this may be common knowledge, but when you're excited, you tend to not see clearly.
This is why it's important to have an outline guide to map out what it is you want. Here are some questions you should ask yourself: What kind of candles do I want to make? How much time can I spend on making a physical product? How much money am I going to put into my candle business in the beginning?
What niche am I going to target? What is my end game for the candle business? And I am sure there are a million more you can ask yourself, but these are some bases you should cover.
Once you have all your questions answered, it's time to do some research. Always start with your niche. Go on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest and start documenting the styles that work best for your business.
See how you can create something that speaks to you, but most importantly, see if you actually like it. Maybe you picked container candles but found out you enjoy dipping candles much better.
My recommendation: Ryter, the AI writing tool, is a game-changer for candle business owners. Its advanced algorithms create tailored product descriptions, blog posts, and social media content, maintaining brand voice and highlighting candle features. With Ryter's intuitive platform, content creation is quick, saving time and resources. By using Ryter, candle businesses boost online presence, attract customers, and drive sales growth.
Research isn't just about browsing through the internet. You always need to get your hands dirty and do some experimenting to see if you enjoy creating that type of candle.
Once that is set up, outline a guide of 6 months to a year. Outline how you're going to promote your candle business and get the name out there.
Go to your local neighborhood stores and find out which ones would allow you to sell your candles in them. See where you can donate some free candles as well. That's always a great way to get your name out there.
Like I said before, this type of business isn't just for the weak. You need to hustle on and offline if you're going to be a successful candlemaker. It's no joke. So have a plan before you dive, it will save you all the heartbreak and stress. Trust me.
Extensive Knowledge of Candle Making Techniques and Materials
Making candles is one of the most enjoyable yet stressful parts of candle making. Once you have figured out the type of candle wax you are going to use and what type of candle you are going to make, you need to spend a lot of time learning everything you can about that type of candle.
My advice to you: stick to one type of candle and master it. Once you master it, slowly branch off to another and master that.
Now comes the stressful part, finding a technique that works for you. And with candles, not all techniques will work the same each time, so you need to prepare yourself for some hiccups.
If you work with container jars, the fragrance you use can affect the color of your wax, so you need to make adjustments for that fragrance. And that's just one example of the many things that can go wrong.
Two things I would say you need to master are the type of wax and how you document the things you do during the candle making process.
Every time you add something, you need to write it down in your candle making journal and date it. This way if something goes wrong, you have your notes to reference back to.
When mastering your candle wax, order 3 of the same type of wax from 3 different companies and see which one performs the way you want it to. This doesn't mean the other two are bad.
This means the other two wax options are your backup when your first choice runs out and now you know how your candle will look and smell when you are using it.
My recommendation: GetResponse AI is a must-have for candle businesses, offering powerful automation for personalized email campaigns and insightful analytics. Its user-friendly interface saves time and resources, helping entrepreneurs grow their customer base, boost brand visibility, and drive sales.
Now this part may be hard since candle making does require a lot of materials, but just like choosing one type of candle and one type of wax, try to do the same with your materials.
Stick to one candle pot, one wick, one fragrance, and one technique, and perfect that candle. Remember we haven't launched yet, so we don't want to invest our entire life savings into a business that might not work for us.
We need to make sure this is what we want to do. I made the mistake of buying everything under the sun because I wanted to be great at everything. It doesn't work that way, and you'll be kicking yourself in the head if you try to tackle everything at once. Be patient and master your techniques and materials.
High-Quality Ingredients and Supplies for Superior Candle Production
Now this may seem controversial, but I am against diving into the candle business with high-quality ingredients and supplies. What matters in the beginning is technique and knowledge.
Please don't make this mistake. You need to work your business up to make some money first before you get into those eco-friendly waxes and wicks.
My recommendation: EverBee provides candle business owners with tailored CRM solutions, streamlining customer data management, personalized marketing campaigns, and automation for efficient communication. Its analytics tools offer valuable insights, enabling data-driven decisions to drive sales and growth. With EverBee, candle businesses can enhance customer relationships, improve brand perception, and thrive in the competitive market.
And that should be your goal as a business owner. I care a lot about pollution and toxins in the earth, and that's why I'm big on using minimal supplies and doing a ton of research before you load your living space up with unboxed candle jars.
In the beginning, it's completely okay to start at the bottom, but you cannot stay there. I suggest making smaller candles with paraffin waxes and gaining knowledge and experience in the industry, and then graduating to soy wax, and then to the motherload beeswax.
It will take your brand to the next level, but keep in mind these waxes are a bit more difficult to work with and are more expensive. But I believe with time, you will get there.
Creative Packaging and Labeling Ideas to Stand Out in the Market
A lot of people (and by people, I mean customers) love their packaging. I completely bombed this early on in the company.
I actually hated it and didn't take pride in my packaging, and it showed. This is another area where you should be doing research. Figure out what colors you want to use and how you want your packaging to stand out.
Start with your logo. If you're having trouble creating one, Fiverr is always a great place to start. Your packaging should include stickers, labels, tissue paper, thank-you cards, and even a coupon.
You also don't have to look at this as a dreadful process. This is where you can let your mind run wild and really add personality to your brand. I know everyone is into the neutrals, but you don't have to follow what Pinterest tells you. Go all out and create the art you want!
A Strong Brand Identity that Resonates with Your Target Audience
There's no other way to say this. Pick a unique color and make sure that color is everywhere. Your color needs to convey some type of emotion and it must be incorporated in all of your branding. What do you want your customers to feel?
When it comes to choosing a color for your brand, it's essential to consider the emotions and feelings you want your customers to experience. A unique color can indeed make a significant impact on how people perceive and connect with your brand.
Let's explore some aspects to help you choose the right color:
Understand your target market: Consider the demographics, interests, and preferences of your target audience. Different colors evoke different emotions in diverse cultures and age groups.
Research color psychology: Colors have inherent psychological associations. For example, blue often symbolizes trust and reliability, while red can convey excitement or passion. Researching these associations will help determine which emotions align best with your brand.
Reflect on your brand personality: Think about the characteristics that define your brand's personality – is it energetic, calm, sophisticated, playful? Your chosen color should align with these traits.
Consider industry norms: While uniqueness is essential for standing out from competitors, it's also crucial not to stray too far from industry expectations or confuse customers by deviating drastically from established norms.
Test and gather feedback: Once you've selected a unique color that resonates with the desired emotions and represents your brand effectively, conduct surveys or focus groups to gather customer feedback before fully committing.
My recommendation: Bluehost is an ideal choice for candle businesses aiming to bolster their online presence. Bluehost reliable hosting services enable entrepreneurs to swiftly create professional websites, thanks to user-friendly features like one-click WordPress installation. Enhanced security ensures customer data safety, while dependable uptime and top-notch support free up business owners to focus on growth and sales, leading to success in the competitive e-commerce arena.
Remember that incorporating the chosen color consistently across all branding elements like logos, website design, and packaging materials enhances recognition and reinforces emotional connections over time.
Effective Marketing Strategies to Promote Your Candle Business Online and Offline
Marketing is one of the most important parts of your candle business and personally one of my favorites. I'm a weirdo.
I enjoy cold calling and promoting anything online. It's a numbers game! But in the beginning, I was terrible at it. I realized I actually hated posting on Instagram and couldn't do it consistently.
I also had too much family commenting on the posts, which made me feel weird, haha. I also was comparing my small candle business to huge brands like Yankee Candle and Boy Smells, which was a complete bummer.
Focus on your brand and your brand only and hit the places you are going to use to market it. Pinterest and Etsy are a given, and you need to have a plan to be active on those platforms every day. Even if you work a full-time job, it's up to you to come back from work and get started on your candle business marketing plan.
Here are some things you can do offline:
Go to assisted living facilities in your area and sell your candles at a discounted price to the elderly.
Attend trade shows in your area.
Sell at church events or other religious events.
Inform family and friends.
Participate in school fairs.
Attend networking events in your area.
Approach local businesses to offer your candles as gifts for their staff.
After you do your research, it's time to actually put in the work and sell those candles. You got this!
Understanding of Legal Requirements and Regulations in the Candle Industry
Now I am not a lawyer of any kind, but I do know you need to be smart with your labeling as a candle maker. Here's how to do that: Go to Google and type in 'candle label law requirements' in your state, and follow them exactly.
Also, research the requirements for the type of candle you are going to make before you start making it. Like I said before, you don't want to invest your time into making a candle and later find out it cannot be sold. It's important to know candle industry regulations inside and out if you want to make sure your business is covered.
Don't follow trends people are doing just to make sales. You need to be the smartest candle maker in the business. That's how you come out on top.
Knowledge of Pricing Strategies to Ensure Profitability
When it comes to candle pricing strategies, it's important to take a relaxed and thoughtful approach, considering various factors such as cost analysis for candle production and competitive pricing in the market.
Here are some insights to help you develop an effective pricing strategy for your candles:
Cost Analysis: Start by understanding the costs involved in producing your candles. Consider the expenses related to raw materials, production equipment, labor, packaging, marketing, and overheads. A thorough cost analysis will help you determine a baseline price that covers your expenses while ensuring profitability.
Competitive Pricing: Research the candle market to understand how your competitors are pricing their products. Analyze their pricing models and identify any unique selling points or quality differentiators that justify their price points. Take note of both high-end luxury brands and more affordable options.
Value Proposition: Determine what sets your candles apart from others in terms of quality or features. Highlight these unique selling points when setting your prices so that customers understand the value they will receive when purchasing from you.
Pricing Strategy: There are several approaches you can consider:
a) Premium Pricing: Positioning yourself as a high-end brand with superior quality might allow you to charge premium prices.
b) Penetration Pricing: If you're entering a highly competitive market or launching new product lines, offering lower initial prices can help attract customers and gain market share.
c) Psychological Pricing: Experiment with various price points ending in 9 ($9.99 instead of $10) as studies have shown this technique can create an illusion of value for customers.
d) Bundling Strategy: Offering bundles or gift sets at slightly discounted rates can encourage customers to purchase multiple candles at once.
e) Dynamic Pricing: Consider adjusting prices based on demand fluctuations throughout the year (e.g., higher prices during peak seasons like holidays).
Pricing your candle items can take time but with practice, youll begin to understand it better.
Reliable Distribution Channels and Partners to Reach Your Customers
When it comes to selling candles, there are good ways to reach more people and sell more. Here are three things you can do:
Work with stores: Partner with boutiques, gift shops, or home decor stores that fit your brand. Offer good prices to get more people to buy your candles.
Sell online: Use sites like Amazon, Etsy, or eBay to reach a lot of customers. Make your product listings look great and ask customers for positive reviews.
Sell directly to customers: Make a good website and use social media to tell people about your candles. Give them reasons to buy, like free shipping or special discounts.
And don't forget to keep your brand the same everywhere. By working with stores and selling directly to customers, you can get more people to see your candles and make more money.
Wow, you made it to the end of this post.
It sounds like you have a genuine passion for the candle business, and that's a great starting point for success.
With dedication and enthusiasm, you're on the right track to making a mark in the industry. Wishing you all the best as you pursue your candle-making journey, and may your candles bring brightness and joy to many. Good luck, and remember, your passion is your greatest asset!
