Candle Making Business Start-Up Idea

Want to be a candle maker? Is candle making is popular and profitable? Yes, it’s a popular and money-making business these days. Looking into variety of candles in the market one can easily say that it’s getting popular day by day. We have some tips to start a candle making business.

People purchase candles not only as gifts, but to scent and decorate their homes and places of business. Today, independent candle brands are able to compete with established companies because consumers typically look at the quality and performances of a candle when making purchases, rather than the name attached to the candle. If you're thinking of starting a candle business, you can do several things to grow your venture into a success.

Founding and operating a candle making business makes you both an artisan and an entrepreneur. Are you ready to put your creative skills and business savvy to work to grab a piece of that market? This start up guide provides both the steps and resources needed to launch a candle making business.

Almost everyone use candles in their home, in baths, bedroom, and all the other rooms in the house, to build ambiance, to meditate, to sooth, relax, and calm. Thus, a candle making business is a profitable venture for anyone, especially for those first time entrepreneur as it is not a complicated process. It can be a home-based business that is both easy and inexpensive.

Candle Making

Business At A Glance

• Start-up Costs: Under $2,000
• Home Based: Can be operated from home.
• Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
• Double boiler
• Wax
• Wicks
• Molds
• Dyes
• Fragrances
• Additives
• Luster spray
• A scale
• Measuring instruments
• Thermometer
• Leak-proof containers for candles
• Packaging materials

Business Overview

The popularity of specialty candles has really taken off in the past decade as more and more people are starting to enjoy the relaxing effect that burning scented candles can have. This popularity and consumer demand for specialty candles creates a tremendous business opportunity for the innovative entrepreneur to start a business that manufactures and sells candles. A good starting point for learning how to make candles would be to visit the local library, as well as visiting the National Candle Association's website (www.candles.org). A home based candle making business is best suited for the entrepreneur seeking additional income on a part-time basis with a long-term goal of establishing a full-time and profitable business concern. Selling the candles can be as easy as renting a table at a local craft show, placing the candles in retail locations on consignment basis, or even establishing wholesale accounts with national specialty retailers. Furthermore, adding fragrance, coloring and creating artistic details on the candles will definitely increase consumer demand for the product and result in more profit for you.

Identify the market of candles

Just like in any business, it is important to identify the target market first. Who do you want to sell to? This will give you an idea of what kind of candle you would like to focus on making. Beeswax candles generally for those people who are fond of natural products while aromatic or scented candles are for people who are into alternative therapies.

Plan where and how to sell your candles

Once your target market is identified, you should next think about where and how you will sell your products. Selling through the internet is a good option since it can easily be managed at the confined of your home. However, you might also like to consider a consignment agreement with stores in your area who sells the same or similar products. Tie-ups with events coordination is also a good idea as supplying for events like wedding and other parties can be a good venue for the business.

Find a supplier

The basic materials needed for candle making are wax, wicks, molds, color tints and essential oils for scent. There are shops who can sell you everything you need in candle making business. It is best if you can find such a store as it will save you a lot of time. If you can’t find a one stop shop for candle making in your area, there are lots in the internet that gives reasonable prices without you having to order hundreds of pound of wax and other stuff. You can also try scouting yard sale and thrift shops for various items you can make use as decorative candle containers.

Register Candle Business

Register Candle Business. Before officially starting to sell your products on the internet, through stores in your area, tie-ups with events coordinator or any other means you thought of, it is best that you work on the necessary business permit and documents first. Information on these things is available through the websites of your municipality.

Sell your candle products and have fun

Have fun making your products and start selling them. You can get loads of ideas of what other type or design you want to try from the internet, magazines, and other shops and from friends and families.

Make a List of Supplies

As an accomplished candle maker you may already have a number of your supplies on hand, but you will still need stock up on quantities. Consider the following shopping list of supplies and adapt it as needed.

• Double boiler
• Wax
• Wicks
• Molds
• Dyes
• Fragrances
• Additives
• Luster spray
• A scale
• Measuring instruments
• Thermometer
• Leak-proof containers for candles
• Packaging materials

Instruction:

Step 1

Learn how to make candles by taking an online or in-person class, reading candle making books or tutorials. Books on candle making may be available at your local library, and many free print and video tutorials are on the Internet.

Step 2

Target a niche for your candle business to differentiate yourself from the many candle brands available to consumers. For instance, your can make wine-scented soy candles, unity candles for weddings, decorative gel candles or all-natural beeswax candles.

Step 3

Write a business plan, detailing the following about your candle business: information about your niche and target market; marketing and public relations plans; analysis of competing candle lines; three-year expense budget and profit projections.

Step 4

Obtain the documentation required in your city to start a retail business. Depending on where you live, this may include an assumed name certificate, or DBA, state Tax Identification Number, Employer Identification Number or sales and use tax permit.

Step 5

Find venues to sell your candles. Options include a mall kiosk, brick-and-mortar storefront, online artisan marketplace, such as Etsy, your own e-commerce store, a flea market, craft fair or festival. You can also sell your candles on a wholesale basis to retailers and independent boutiques.

Step 6

Purchase wholesale candle making supplies, instead of paying retail at a craft store. Doing so will allow you to make more money from the candles you make and sell.

Step 7

Buy wholesale candles from the brands or manufacturers of your choice, if you prefer not to make the candles you sell yourself. To establish a wholesale account, you will likely need to place a minimum order and provide business documentation, such as a resale permit or Employer Identification Number.

Step 8

Join a candle makers association, such as the National Candle Association, to network with peers and suppliers, stay up-to-date on industry trends and connect with potential customers.

Step 9

Promote your candle business. Launch a promotional blog or website, open accounts on social networks, send samples to retailers or donate some of your candles to nonprofit fundraisers, to help gain publicity.

Reference

• Candle Making Business Start-Up Idea