Your Own Candle Business
Most people start making candles as a hobby. If you consider that seven out of 10 households burn candles, that means that about 70 percent of the people you know are potential customers. By selling your candles you can tap into this huge market. It is possible to earn a decent part-time or even full-time income this way. This is especially true is you offer a comparable or better quality than what is currently in the marketplace.
The obvious approach here to your own candle business is to retail your candles. A common start into retailing is selling candles at craft shows. Others have their own websites set up with an online store. You could even only sell to friends and family on the holidays and for special events and limiting your home business to word of mouth trade and special orders.
Some candle makers sell their candles wholesale to other retailers. An important thing to keep in mind here is the wholesale pricing. Your wholesale price will typically be about 50% or less than your retail price. Make sure you are still making a profit by knowing exactly what your costs are for making each candle. Also make sure you have the production capability required to fulfill the order on schedule.
There are other ways to create a successful candle business and retailing and wholesale are only two ways possible. Another possibility is selling on consignment. You place your candles in an established business. They sell your candles in return for a percentage. If the store is selling a large number of candles, this can turn out a lucrative arrangement. Make sure to do your own homework: competitive products in the store, people traffic in the store, price of consignment space, etc.
Another option is joining a fundraising program. You find an organization (school, church, charitable organization, etc.) that raises money. They sell your candles for you for a portion of the profit. The percentage of the discount varies usually between 20-50% below the normal retail price. Candles can be an attractive alternative instead of the traditional candy and cookie dough sale.
Some people will see candles as a way to make a living, but of course you can perfectly choose to continue your candle making purely as a hobby. Either way there is always much delight and satisfaction in creating the perfect candle.
