Starting a Candle Business

Make candles and sell them online. Your imagination and talent can make incredible profits for you. The profits are up to you. You need a website, and some internet marketing know how, but if you have a desire and a drive, this is a good craft business to get into. Or make soap. I have many ideas for soap making.

What type of candles? You could make fancy candles. Aromatherapy candles, shaped candles. Use sand or buttons or coffee beens in the candles. Simply make a pvc pipe mold with a candle wick, fill with wax and when it hardens, paste wax on the outside and roll into the beans, buttons or even sand. Monogramed candles for weddings or making whole gift baskets filled with candles and soaps for a special theme such as Valentines, Mothersday or Secretary's day. Make candles that look like sundays or baked goods. MMM, apple pie candles. Your imagination and business acumen can make you a success. List your website in google and yahoo. List on craigslist and myspace classifieds.

Send out press releases, go to craft fairs. Network, put up flyers, link to craft sites and malls specializing in homegoods. No other people are needed to start, competition is your biggest problem and no special qualifications are needed to succeed. Networking and getting publicity are key. See if you can sell them at specialty shops locally and make sure to differentiate. Why should they pay big bucks for your unique candles than a regular candle or Yankee candle? You want to niche yourself and then become the king of specialty candles.

Accounting is the most important thing, keeping track of expenses and profits, sales tax in your state and make sure to keep your expenses low. Focus on marketing and grow your business. Keep quality high. Sell some candles on Etsy.com to get exposure. Do an expceptional job providing high quality customer service. Focus on the customer and how you can make the best candle, the easiest website to use and the best candle company you can be.

Other ideas are to do crafting online, sell craft materials, sell craft supplies online. If you are creative, you need to focus on what you do well and promote it and get paid for it. It will take about $1000 to $2000 to get started and a few books on making candles, some practice, and quality supplies at good prices. Remember what JC Penney did, provide quality at good prices, and people will be loyal.