How to Start a Home Based Candle Business 1-2-3
There are lots of different types of candles you can make and sell - and new candle trends are constantly
emerging. For example: natural soy wax candles, beeswax sheets, new scents or fragrances and even "man
candles".
Not only are candles a beautiful home decor item and gift, they are functional as well. Because candles are
so versatile and useful, starting
a candle business has traditionally been a profitable business and will continue to be that way.
If you have doubts that you can become successful in the candle making business, look at
Hart Main, a teenage boy who started a company making
candles for men. He started making money the first month he started selling his bacon, leather and sawdust
smelling candles.
So how did he do it?
He started going into local stores asking to sell on consignment - and most shops said, "Yes!"
Giving stores a risk-free opportunity to make extra money is free advertising and doesn't require any
special skills. Still doubting yourself?
For an entrepreneur, start-up costs can be cheap, especially because you can run this business from home.
You can sell candles through a website, at gift shops, on consignment, through craft shows, in mail-order
catalogs and more. If you are on a budget, you can begin part-time with basic supplies, and then grow your
business as you sell more candles.
On the other hand, if you want to know how to open a a candle shop, see tips on opening a gift shop.
As a home-based business, you have less set-up procedures to worry about than you would with a brick and
mortar shop. However, there are standard legal steps you want to take when you start your candle business, such
as getting a business license, registering your company name, decide your business structure and get educated
on paying taxes.
You can get instructions here: Setting up Your Business.
Candlemaker Sarah Johnstan has over 9 years
experience making money with candles, plus she has taught classes and workshops to entrepreneurs and
crafters showing them how to do the same. If you want to start your own candle business, her knowledge can
help you make money faster.
Here's some of what you'll find out in her downloadable guide:
- Secrets to making expert-quality candles, including parafin, soy, gel and beeswax. How
to choose the best wax and save money doing it.
- Receive over 300 scent mixing recipes like popular mixed drinks, desserts, coffee and
tea scents.
- 7 simple tips and tricks you can use to sell your candles, plus Sarah includes bonus
guides on how to sell successfully on eBay and cash in at craft fairs.
How to Start a Candle Making Business
Candle Making Business Resources:
Marketing Your Candle Business
- Get
Found by Local Shoppers - Online
With today's mobile devices, shoppers are turning to local online directories instead of using the yellow
pages when they want to find a local business. This can be an affordable means of reaching your local
cake-buying market, and there are a variety of resource you can use to do it.
- Postcard
Marketing
Introduce local prospects to your business by mailing them postcards announcing a sale, event or special
coupon. You can create postcard designs online for minimal cost. First, choose an offer. Second, design
your postcards online using professional postcard templates with VistaPrint (you can get 50% off here). And third, get
targeted leads from a lead generstion company.
-
Email Marketing
Email is still one of the best techniques of reaching out to and keeping in touch with customers. No
email list? No problem. If you have a website, email marketing companies like ConstantContact will help
you build a customer list using their simple sign-up form.
They also provide email templates that you can use to design professional emails. Their
program delivers emails for you, and they include real-time reporting. You can try their service free
for 60 days, no credit card is required. Start now: ConstantContact 60-day free trial.
- Etsy.com
Great website for craftspeople who want to sell their crafts online - use their website as your storefront!
Also see Artfire, HandmadeCatalog.com, Artsefest.com and SellCraftsOnline.org.
- 29 Ways to Get
More Customers
Take the guesswork out of finding customers by picking up the best marketing guide I've found. You'll find
out free and extremely low cost ways to attract new clients to your business with very little effort -
saving you tons of money. Expert David Frey shows you how to implement these strategies right away, for
immediate profit. The
Small Business Marketing Resource
Candle Business Associations
