The popularity of candles is arguably greater than ever, and most consumers are now open to supporting independent brands in this field. So, if you\u2019ve been thinking about how to start a candle business over the past few years, this may be the perfect time to finally do it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A quick look at the industry supports this idea; it was worth $3.54 billion in 2019 and is forecast to hit $6.64 billion by 2027. Moreover, it\u2019s a surprisingly accessible sector to join, as long as you have passion, talent, and a winning strategy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s exactly what this guide to starting a candle business in 2022 aims to do. The road to turning your burning passion into a reality starts here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like any other business idea, starting a candle company requires a significant investment of time, money, and passion, so you need to be sure that it\u2019s the right venture for you. This means analyzing the prospect of selling candles rather than just the benefits of being your own boss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many reasons why you may wish to work in this business sector, starting with the growth that it\u2019s currently experiencing. Other factors include;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, the candlemaker community is quite supportive. There are more than enough customers to go around and small business owners can often connect with each other in mutually beneficial business relationships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you already love candles as a consumer, you already know the type of products that you\u2019ll love – it\u2019s likely that others will too. When combined with the right business methods, you can\u2019t go too far wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The opportunity to start the company at home is one of the most attractive options for many reasons, such as the opportunity to establish a healthier work-life balance or even launch the venture as a side hustle before eventually leaving your day job to go full-time. Crucially, it also removes one of the largest costs. Since 64% of businesses<\/a> start with only $10,000 in capital, it\u2019s obvious that you don\u2019t need an obscene amount of money to get going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Low costs are an attractive feature of running a small candle business, yet you\u2019ll still need to consider the following overheads:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall, most home candle businesses will look at somewhere between $1K and $5K to get started. However, those who want to work from a commercial setting will need to factor in rent, insurance, and potential staffing fees. The most common estimate of the cost of starting such a business is $44,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve been searching for \u201chow to start my own candle company in America,\u201d the great news is that it\u2019s probably a lot simpler than you think, although it will require a lot of effort, as is the case with any venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you have experience making candles for friends or are completely new to the field, the following tips will serve you well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Before even launching the business, you\u2019ll need to buy yourself the essential candle making equipment. This includes products like wicks, as well as the necessary tools. Most people can fund this through personal investments or by selling a few unwanted items first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you plan on making candles to sell, you may eventually face some additional costs. Even if the venture becomes profitable at an early stage, you\u2019ll need to maintain your cash flow. Some of the options include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you may not need to access funding until some of the subsequent steps have been completed, it\u2019s important to understand the situation in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a candle business to thrive, it will rely heavily on repeat customers. Spoiler alert; they\u2019ll only continue to buy your products if you provide quality. Before selling, it\u2019s essential that you learn to create the best possible products. If you wouldn\u2019t be happy buying the product yourself, it\u2019s not ready for the market. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research has shown that more than 10,000 scents are available in the US, while the vast majority of consumers state that fragrance is a very important factor in their selection. Some of the other key aspects to consider include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Practice makes perfect, which is why you should have fun with different scents. There\u2019s nothing quite like unlocking a new winner, and even the losers will help you perfect the craft of actively making candles. You may also consider candle making classes before transforming the hobby into a commercial venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Over one billion pounds of wax are used to create candles in the US each year. However, that doesn’t mean all companies or consumers are the same. Even if you think you\u2019re pretty good at making candles, you also need to understand the mechanics of the industry. Otherwise, you\u2019ll be left with little more than an expensive hobby.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When considering how to sell candles, you must first define your target market. Generally speaking, your products will fall into one of three categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The costs of making (and packaging) the candles will increase through the three markets. However, the selling prices will follow suit. You\u2019ll need to weigh up the pros and cons of each, taking the local marketplace and any current gaps in the market into account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Building a robust business plan is one of the most significant steps you\u2019ll have to complete. This is true for every business ranging from food truck companies<\/a> to candle companies. A business plan is a document that can help you when seeking funding. It also makes life a lot easier when it comes to hiring people. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Most importantly, it turns your initial ideas into a vision and strategy. The business plan should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Business plan templates are readily available. With a little research, you\u2019ll find one that helps you consider the stages of how to start a candle business. If nothing else, the detailed plan gives a clear outline that you can follow with confidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When looking at how to sell candles, the great news is that you don\u2019t require a license. This means that technically you could start making and selling your products immediately. If you\u2019re only selling a handful over the course of a year, it\u2019s more of a hobby. However, if you\u2019re selling products with the aim of turning a profit, you\u2019ll need to register the company.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most people starting a business entity will choose to be a sole proprietor<\/a> at this stage. However, there are some factors to take into account at this stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Overall the legal requirements for selling homemade candles are fairly limited, especially when using non-hazardous wicks and waxes. In this case, you won\u2019t even be required to list ingredients on the product packaging.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Building a brand that stands out from the crowd will be one of the most significant steps in getting your business started. Choosing candle company names is a great starting point; it\u2019s something you probably would\u2019ve considered during the business plan and registration elements. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your brand will also need to encapsulate why and how you\u2019re making candles, as well as who they are for. Some of the issues you\u2019ll have to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The biggest candle company is Yankee Candle. While you cannot copy or emulate this famous brand, you can certainly gain some ideas about how to tell a brand story and how to sell candles in a way that users know will improve their lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even at the start of your journey, you would have naturally thought about how to make candles that sell. The scents and the general branding elements are crucial. However, there are over 400<\/a> well-known candle manufacturers in the US. To secure your place in the market, it will be necessary to ensure quality in every aspect of the venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some of the additional options you may wish to consider are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It should be noted that you could look at tea lights or other alternatives. When you\u2019ve selected the type and material you want to work with, you\u2019ll find tutorials with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the owner of a homemade candles business, you\u2019d be forgiven for thinking that you need to go it alone, at least until you\u2019ve built a larger following. In reality, you may still need to work with others, even if you don\u2019t hire them directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Candle making businesses aren\u2019t just about crafting the candles and packaging them up nicely. You\u2019ll also need to consider these people:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, your network of other small businesses and other candle companies can be very useful. Whether you\u2019re working together, trading skills, or sharing resources isn\u2019t important; what matters is that you don\u2019t have to face the world of business alone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you first open your doors, it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll need an advanced online store. In fact, you can run your candle business on Etsy, where the number of active buyers nearly doubled between 2019 and 2020<\/a> and continues to grow at a rapid rate. While they won\u2019t all be in the market for candles, it is a great way to open yourself up to a huge online audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meanwhile, you\u2019ll find that local sales can generate a lot of your business as a new candle seller. To make the most of this, you can;<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019ve already worked on your brand and done some market research, you\u2019ll have a good idea of how to get your products in front of the right people. Assuming that the pricing model and product quality are up to standard, you should see stunning results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The above candle business tips should help you prepare to open your doors with either one or a few scented candles. However, you can\u2019t afford to rest on the laurels of your initial success. Growing the company is the only way to make it a permanent business venture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No two candle businesses will follow the same path. However, you could look at the following options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may also be possible to turn the company into a franchise. This will help the brand grow, and you\u2019ll also take extra profits through commissions or franchising fees. It\u2019s a long-term ambition but one that you should at least consider when starting your homemade candles business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Further Reading<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n By now you should feel quite confident about how to start a candle business in 2022. If you know your audience and can create products that smell and look the part, your hopes of success should be quite strong. Not least because a product that costs you $5 to make could easily sell for three or four times that value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Build a solid audience and there\u2019s nothing to stop you from earning thousands of dollars in year one, followed by significant growth in the years to follow.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The popularity of candles is arguably greater than ever, and …<\/p>\n\n
How to Start a Candle Business in 10 Steps<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
#1. Fund Your Candle Making<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#2. Become a Better Candle Maker<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#3. Research the Market<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#4. Create Your Candle Business Plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#5. Register Your Candle Business <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#6. Build Your Brand <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#7. Work on Making Candles to Sell<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#8. Assemble a Winning Team or Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#9. Market Your Candle Making Business<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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#10. Grow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n