We are frequently asked how a candle crafter can turn a passion for candle making into a successful business.
With so many folks out of work and looking for ways to put their skills and creativity to good use, the crafter has easy access to a business that can yield significant long term income.
For over five years, I’ve watched thousands of candle makers start very small. They build a part-time candle making hobby into a million dollar wholesale and retail business.
So the real question is: what separates the successful candle manufacturer from the hobbyist? The salient features are (1) a well thought out business plan, (2) a solid product differentiation strategy, (3) adequate capital and (4) a strong advisory team.
I would recommend starting with a business plan. This is fundamental to the business’ transformation into a professional candle making operation. If you have never written a business plan, there are many resources available to assist you.
Start with the local SBA. Free meetings with Score, the SBA retired executives group, will enable you to speak with a very experienced advisor. Talk to your friends, family and neighbors and see if they know any good books you can read that will help you think in a strategic way about your business. You can pick up many of them at the local library.
Once you have a handle on business planning, put together a draft and make sure you know your financials cold. Then meet with professional advisors to make sure your plan is sound.
Another and equally important aspect is differentiation. This involves intense market research. You need to differentiate your candles from the pack; (1) find a unique glass jar or container shape that gives your candles a signature look, (2) label and package your candle containers in a visually appealing way to make a strong first impression, (3) choose stand-out fragrances and “green” waxes such as Elevance’s NatureWax C3 soy, (4) make your colors trend right for the season, and (5) give your company a polished and professional image.
The results would astound you. Libbey glass containers, for example, sparkle on store shelves giving you an edge on less vibrant glass jars; C3 is designed to adhere to the glass walls in a unique way that gives your colors special vibrancy; undiluted soy-certified fragrances have great throw; a professional name and logo make your candles look like they came from a major manufacturer. The bottom line: the image is the reality!
The last and most critical component of starting a business is money. You need to have adequate capital (or credit lines) to get through the start-up phase, buy your supplies in bulk to lower your costs and increase competitiveness, and cover any slow periods where cash might be tight or you are waiting for payments from customers.
Spend some time with your advisors and test your cash on hand and credit lines against your projected sales and cash receipts to ensure that you will be able to weather the chaotic and exciting start-up period of your candle business.
This self-discovery and research process, although time consuming, is essential. A candle maker’s chances for success improve dramatically and most that follow this process are able to distribute their candle jars through a wide variety of retail and wholesale channels.
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Blue Glass Moroccan Lantern $4.05 37438 The cobalt hues of this exotic metal candle lantern bring to mind images of mysterious Morocco! Suitable for hanging or use as a freestyle lamp. For use with tealights or votive candles only (not included). Metal and glass. 4 ” x 3 ” x 8 ” high…. |
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Set of 72 White Unscented Votive Candles and 72 Holders $39.99 72 Clear Votive Holders and 72 Votive Candles. All for one low price! Very Popular, Set of 72 White Votives and Matching Glass Votive Holders from Quick Candles. Candles are Made in the USA. Unscented White Votive Candles with 10 Hour burn time each. Classic votive candles. Perfect for restaurants, parties, weddings, event, or just using around the home. The candles are 1.5″ in diameter and 1.5… |
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Mystical Candle Lantern – Style 39640 $12.99 Four purple-toned panes of patterned glass cast a fascinating halo of rainbow light! A candle’s glow becomes magical as it shines from within. Handsomely styled cutout metalwork recalls the beautiful hand-wrought lamps of a Moroccan marketplace. Metal and glass. Candle not included. 4″ x 4″ x 10″ high…. |
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Moroccan-Style Star Lantern $15.40 The Moroccan star is the inspiration for this multicolored lantern. Insert a tealight or votive to set the jewel-tone panels aglow! Metal with glass panels. Uses tealights or votive candles (not included). 11″ x 11″ x 14″ high…. |
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Milk Glass Cup LED Night Light Lamp $7.99 100% Brand New LED light made to resemble a full glass of milk. Unique design is a great decorative addition to your home, office or child’s room. Energy saving LED light. Light turns off automatically when tilted or placed upside down. ON/OFF switch located at the bottom. Made of clear acrylic which is strong and durable. Comes packaged in an attractive gift box made to resemble a cow. Powered by… |
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Simply Shabby Chic® Crystal Candlestick Table Lamp – Tall $44.99 … |
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COLOR OF HEALING- COLOR THERAPY $19.52 Learn how color healing can help physical, emotional & spiritual health…. |
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Mandarin Shea Soy Candle in Frosted Glass Tumbler $5.95 American Soybean Wax candles burn clean and are made from a renewable source. And they smell and look good, too! Contained in a 3-inch glass tumbler, these candles can stand alone anywhere or be placed in a hurricane or other holder. Tumbler measures 3″ x 2.5″. American Soybean Wax is made from a naturally sustainable, renewable source, burns without soot or smoke which keeps the air cleaner, and … |
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Archipelago Botanicals Havana Glass Jar Candle $17.00 Archipelago’s most popular candle is a perfectly blended fragrance of bergamot, Cuban tobacco leaf and ylang ylang. Nothing illegal about this candle. Approximate Burn Time of 60 hours…. |
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Violet & Lotus Water Soy Candle in Glass Tumbler … |
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Glass Candle w/ A to Z Stickers $10 Fun scented Glass Candle w/ A to Z Stickers will make your party or any occassion special. These fun themed candles come scented with angel food cake and include a to z adhesive stickers with one of each letter in the alphabet. Perfect for weddings birthday parties or any other occasion where you want to spell something out. Sold individually. |
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Ruby Beaded Candle Holders – Large Taper Holder $6.5 For holiday dinners and other happy occasions these glass beaded candle holders are irresistible accessories. These Ruby Beaded Candle Holders are also perfect to create a sultry romantic feel to any room almost reminiscent of a nightclub. Sold Individually. |
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Scented Glass Candle w/ Leather Wrap – Green Oasis $17 Imagine your home as a paradise for your senses full of evocative fragrances and beautiful decorative botanicals. Create the tropical paradise of your dreams with our Scented Glass Candle w/ Leather Wrap. Available in three different scents and color. The green oasis is scented with tangerine peel and ginger the jaffa orange is scented with orange flower and the paradise yellow is scented with pineapple crush. Sold individually. |
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Shaved Ice Cream Candle in Glass Candles – Blue $10 Fun scented Shaved Ice Cream Candles in Glass will make your summer party or any occassion special. These fun themed Shaved Ice Cream Candles come creamsicle scented and are available in 4 colors green blue orange and pink. Sold individually. |
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Shaved Ice Cream Candle in Glass Candles – Orange $10 Fun scented Shaved Ice Cream Candles in Glass will make your summer party or any occassion special. These fun themed Shaved Ice Cream Candles come creamsicle scented and are available in 4 colors green blue orange and pink. Sold individually. |
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Amber Glass Stemmed Holders $9.5 Bring some sunshine and light into any room with our attractive Amber Glass Stemmed Holders. Perfect for either a 15 hour votive or sphere candle (not included). These make a great accessory to any holiday dinner. Purchase one of each size for a great table display. Sold Individually. |
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Amber Glass Stemmed Holders $10 Bring some sunshine and light into any room with our attractive Amber Glass Stemmed Holders. Perfect for either a 15 hour votive or sphere candle (not included). These make a great accessory to any holiday dinner. Purchase one of each size for a great table display. Sold Individually. |
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Wine Glass In Keepsake Bag $9 This Wine Glass In Keepsake Bag is a perfect table favor for your wedding or shower and makes a memorable gift. Wedding cake scented to create a delectable scent of sugar cane sprinkled with sweet cream batter whipped butter to create a vanilla cake impression with vanilla bean and chocolate. These will give any table a special touch of elegance. Sold individually. |
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Hanging Coffee Glass Set – Black $4 Coffee tea or milk anyone? This hanging coffee glass set will surely perk you up in the morning or evening. Comes with two lightly freesia scented candles housed in a nice metal container. |
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Pewter Candleholder w/ Glass Rocks – Small Holder $20 Imagine your home as a paradise for your senses full of evocative fragrances and beautiful decorative items. Create the home paradise of your dreams with our Pewter Candleholder w/ Glass Rocks. Available in two sizes each holder is made of 100% pewter and comes with dangling glass rings as shown. Sold individually. |
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Pewter Candleholder w/ Glass Rocks – Large Holder $24 Imagine your home as a paradise for your senses full of evocative fragrances and beautiful decorative items. Create the home paradise of your dreams with our Pewter Candleholder w/ Glass Rocks. Available in two sizes each holder is made of 100% pewter and comes with dangling glass rings as shown. Sold individually. |
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Clear Matic Glass Reed Diffuser Bottle – 13.2 oz $6 Looking for replacement bottles for your reed diffusers or just need a reed diffuser bottle for our reed diffuser oil refills. This Clear Matic Glass Reed Diffuser Bottle is perfect and has 3/4 inch opening. Clear glass with heavy weighted bottom. Comes with cork and holds up to 13.2 oz of liquid. |
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Frosted Glass Tealight Lamps – Green $7.5 The perfect accessory to create a festive atmosphere this holiday season. These frosted tealight lamps provide a nice glow and are perfect to place around your living room or dining area. Come in green or red and are sold individually. Tealight not included. |
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Clear Glass Reed Diffuser Vial $1 Looking for replacement bottles for your reed diffusers or just need a reed diffuser bottle for our reed diffuser oil refills. This 8oz Apothecary Reed Diffuser Bottle is perfect. Available in a 2 oz or 4 oz size. Stopper not included if you need one please purchase one of our Rubber Stoppers. |
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Clear Glass Reed Diffuser Vial $1.5 Looking for replacement bottles for your reed diffusers or just need a reed diffuser bottle for our reed diffuser oil refills. This 8oz Apothecary Reed Diffuser Bottle is perfect. Available in a 2 oz or 4 oz size. Stopper not included if you need one please purchase one of our Rubber Stoppers. |
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Mini Wedding Luminaria $3.5 Comes with votive glass. For use only with tealight. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Gourmet Vanilla $6 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Mandarin Grapefruit $6 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Gourmet Vanilla $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Mandarin Grapefruit $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Green Tea & Ginger $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Raspberry Patchouli $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Pomegranate $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Gardenia $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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Reed Diffuser Refill Oil – Thai Lemongrass $11 Need refill oil for your current reed diffuser? Don’t pay extra for a bottle and reeds just buy our reed diffuser oil refills and save some money. Available in all our current scents does not include reeds or glass bottle. If you are looking for the complete set please purchase one of our complete reed diffusers. |
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