Have you ever considered starting an artisan candle company? What is the solution? A woman began her candle business last year with $115 after losing her job and has sold her own candle collection, clothing, and accessories over the past 12 months.
It’s creativity that we’ve always wanted to see! I will share my strategy for a candle company so we can help create a prosperous future too. We’ll help you start your own candle businesses by creating and selling them through Shopify.
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Try Shopify for free and discover the best tools for growing and starting a successful company. In addition, consumer candles are also marketed for aromatherapy as well as relaxation. The trend shows us that worldwide interest in candles is consistent:
While candles are widely used around the globe, the largest number of search results are focused in the US, Europe, the UK, and Japan. I think this is good information for candlemakers searching for a market for their DIY goods.
Ideas for a candle making business
Candlemakers primarily target women, as they prefer the pleasant scent and feelings that are associated with candles but as of now, both men and women are regarded as appropriate gift recipients. They also say that when people buy candles the most common time they buy them is: Christmas, Easter, Birthdays, and other seasonal events
There are a wide variety of types of candles. Continue reading in order to learn more about candles, how to make them, what to consider, and which ones you want to make. We have some of the best candle business tips around so please consider subscribing.
If you are interested in starting your own candle-making business why not check out a free trial from Amazon for this great book to help you? Click on the image to get a trial totally free so you don’t need to spend a penny!
The book is an audiobook so you can even listen along while you are making your candles, or maybe while you are driving or cooking, for example, to give you that inspiration to get started and to bring home that extra cash!
What is the industry outlook?
In 2019 candles were valued at $4859.1 million which could reach $8493.2 million by 2026, Precision reports. It was a 5.5% growth. Anyone wanting to make candles can sell them by learning how to make their own. Read on for more information about identifying a target market for a candle business.
Is a candle making business profitable?
Is a candle making business profitable? Yes. Candle making businesses are very profitable, have profit margins of 100% or more, and are easy to start as home businesses.
You will have lower business overheads and advertising costs too making your profit margin even higher. It’s also not labor-intensive.
Candles can be made quickly, making your business very profitable very fast.
I have made candles for myself for quite a while now and have made some for family and friends, mostly at cost, but for friends of friends I have charged a reasonable markup, mainly to cover the time spent rather than just the materials for those close to me.
Who are the major candle makers?
You can find gaps in your industry if looking at their websites helps you understand what they’re selling. The biggest candle makers include Yankee Candles, Empire, and SC Johnson.
While big players in the industry generate the most revenue, they still have the potential to sell candles to newcomers.
What is the best way to sell candles?
Homemade candles are becoming a vital home decoration product—the industry is projected to reach $5 billion by 2026. In recent years, commercial candles have seen strong increases. Spas and Massages use scented aromatherapy candles to relieve stress, and restaurants create aromas in a relaxing environment.
How to start a candle making business?
So the idea of selling candles was sparked in you so what to do next? These step by step instructions contain important components in your Business Plan Template. If you start a candle business, you will have to take into account the needs of the client. So let’s see the best way your customers will buy your candles.
Decide where you’ll sell your candles
Candle companies offer a wide variety of choices for selling candles. It’s possible you’re located in some areas. Especially in rural areas, online sales might be an excellent choice. Online Shopping. The top online shop for handmade products is Etsy. The sale site is open for registration and lists the goods available and links can be accessed through your web address. It is possible to sell candles online at websites like Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or even Facebook.
Create your own website. This method of marketing requires much effort. As for selling online, packaging costs are very important and you will need to maintain packaging supplies along with other relevant candle supplies, but with your own website, you control everything from your brand story to what you sell online in your own store.
If you are not keen on having your own eCommerce site then there are local, physical candle business opportunities where you can sell face to face.
Taking candles to sell at a local farmers market, retail stores, a nearby local craft store, or even other non related small businesses has really helped many successful businesses take off.
Your candle line and range of products will showcase your brand story and spreading the word far and wide will help you to become one of those successful businesses that you often read about.
Research funding for small businesses
It’s impossible to beat the Small Business Association (SBA) when you’re researching new business ideas. These companies also have seasoned advisors that can help you find the most feasible funding options.
Here are other financial options available from the SBA: business credit cards – Unsecure revolving loans based on business credit cards. It helps you separate your personal and business expenses, helps you build a business credit history with cash and credit cards, and provides flexible repayment plans as a payment option.
Microloans – Getting microloans from banks is much simpler.
Many providers will be more than happy to help get your homemade scented candles factory off the ground if you have done all your homework correctly.
Decide on the type of candle you want to make and sell
Candles are becoming more popular in the home and garden as the trend continues. It is an interesting pattern. Give much thought to identifying the target audience and creating an appropriate niche in your marketing plan. Consumers say they prefer their candle’s fragrance the most. The candle industry has become increasingly dominated by scent. According to some estimates, the scent of a candle is the number one factor used when buying a candle. After the scent, consumers select candles according to shape or size. You may even want to look at other related wax melt business ideas. These trends can be another type of factor for you to consider when setting up.
Set Up Your Business Legally
Candlemaking is the fun and creative part, however, you cannot get rid of paperwork. It’s best to follow the National Candles Association’s recommendations and include fire precautions on the label for use. This label explains 3 things: Don’t leave a lit candle unattended, keep away from fires and keep away from children. Similarly, if the business is incorporated in any jurisdiction where labeling is mandatory, it should have a safety caution label. The majority of candlemaking businesses choose to form limited liability companies, according to Market Research.
Set Up Your Workspace Correctly
You’re going to use melted candle wax and you need to make the space work well for you. The wax has been heated into metal cylinders and filtered before perfume oils and/or dye. The wax is cooled and placed inside a mold placed above the double boiler. It happens with continuous molding machines, and candles can be grouped together. It can even be poured by hand. These molds need to be heated in order that the wax floats easily. When molds are inserted into double boilers, the sleeves should have warm water inside.
Write a Business Plan
Successful companies have solid plans. Ensure that your project includes identifying the goals and strategies that will support your business. Before drafting a business plan, it is essential that your first business plan be defined and detailed. It defines what products and supplies you need to start your candle industry. You should outline the financial plan. This includes capital to begin developing your first product line, and capital to grow if your business grows.
Hire employees
The business concept of candle making is to make candles themselves without a staff. Instead of hiring people to make candlesticks, think about hiring a professional marketer. Marketers will help you grow your business, so add people. You can add outsourced personnel such as delivery workers and merchants as part-time workers. You will need your Employer ID number when you operate as a sole proprietor.
Design your candles
Taper, Votive, Tealight. Containers? Floating on the water? Is there any ritual? For outdoor use? Birthdays? Are holidays important? Of course, the choices must be there but not unlimited. Your candle manufacturing operation should not have an unlimited range of scents, colors, and sizes. Let us use our imaginative and artistic skills. Find some computer programs that are useful for designing.
Market your business
Social media offers an excellent platform for starting out. You’ll be able to link to your website where it will tell your story. When visiting craft events, capture the leads that will convert from business to new business. Remember that 33 percent of candle sales occur during the holidays, so keep an open stock and sell opportunity for these timeframes.
Find a manufacturing space
If the chance arises, the manufacturing area may be your basement. It’s important to check local zoning laws to ensure your business is open for business. Since a start up candle making business shouldn’t really be impactful to your neighbors, it contains, however, fire hazards, therefore it must be checked in your zoning regulations to see if this type of business can be permitted.
Drive Candle Sales and Enjoy Having a Successful Business
Find contact numbers of club advisers and coaches in your area. Make an active fundraiser by offering your potential customers a discounted candle. Maybe you could use a candle to decorate a school mug. Box all candles individually, with your business card. Add these events to your website, if you have one, to let people know you are involved in a fundraising event.
Source all your equipment
You will need equipment to create the candles. The material will include wax (paraffin, beeswax, and palm wax), wick, dye, and fragrances. It is vital to build trusted relationships with suppliers. There needs to be some type of marketing plan.
How do I make my candle making business successful?
To have a successful candle making business you need a clear view of the market. Depending on the candle market, define your niche. Give yourself an idea of a new market entry. Brainstorm with friends and family about your ideal brand name. Start with small products. Find the right place for the sale of your product.
Do market research
Ideally, your targeted customers will need your advertising campaign to reach them. These are customers that want your product most and will probably convert into customers. The candle industry targets three types of markets: Determine what market your target market will be.
Are you interested in shopping at a retailer such as Macy’s Nordstrom? Midmarket might also be a good choice. Are there websites or shops where you can buy products? Prestige Candles are your calling! Choosing a market helps you from sourcing material through to building a company brand or packing.
Scented or aromatherapy candles sell well
The candles here are a popular choice. Aromatherapy or scent candles offer a wide range of scents for the home buyer seeking pleasant scents in the home. This candle comes in multiple different scents to provide the perfect mask and make an unusual aroma escape.
Aromatherapy candle manufacturers sell their products based upon a specific benefit associated with a specific scent. The recipe for these candles uses essential oils that help promote a sense of wellbeing. The lavender scent is a means of relaxation.
Unique and interesting fragrance blends
The fragrance has become a significant consumer buying factor. Researchers have shown that nearly one-third of Candle Buyers consider candle buying extremely crucial. How do you differentiate yourself in a competitive world?
Your own candle designs made specifically for your own candle business can often set you apart from the rest. Many small business owners think about their own likes and dislikes so when they start selling candles it becomes a risky business venture as they are not customer focused.
Creating a new mixture is a quick and easy way to make a mark on the market. Instead of offering a standard wood or flowers scent, choose a more sophisticated and complex scent that consumers cannot find elsewhere: fragrances that stimulate people to think and feel mystery and intrigue.
Check out our guide for the best essential oils for candles and candle making
Create a candle business name
It’s a good time to start burning candles. Most likely you have gotten some business names along that path, now it is your turn. Keep candle business names brief and easy. This makes them memorable and easier to pronounce by customers.
Unless it is easily remembered, the name won’t get a lot of exposure online for free. Use Shopify’s business name generator to get new ideas. Simply enter a keyword, select Create Names, then browse over 20,000 different names for your company.
Soy candles
Soy candles are the most popular candles available in the world, made out of soy wax. This wax comes out of soybeans and is therefore made out of vegetable oils and is therefore compared with regular candles.
According to the research firm, soy wax increased by well over 8.5% from 2019 to 2025. Not only do soy candles contain renewable materials, and also have a longer burn time. So, customers have more money in hand for the long-term use of candles.
Build your brand
The second step in starting a candle manufacturing business is to create a brand. Brands improve your product’s quality, help you grow your target audience, and enhance your marketing efforts for them. Good brands are essential to candle businesses.
This industry has grown significantly since 1990 and may seem impossible for anyone to enter. What are the best strategies for standing out in an ever expanding candle market?
Visual identity
Your visual identity is the most direct means of affecting what people think of your candle shop. You want a product that has an attractive aesthetic that is reflected in your candles.
Your candles should provide a scent and a home décor complement so your product should fit into your target audience. For example, Boy Scent Brand aims to elevate your private life and your intimacy. Its bright, sensual ambiance is accessible to anyone.
Vegan candles
The majority of consumers care about what the companies use in manufacturing a product, particularly animal ingredients. Basic candles often contain animal by-products such as beeswax that are not suitable for some consumers.
Now vegans can have candles in their lives too. Vegan candles use modified formulations using substances such as soybean wax and plants, fragrance oils, and natural fragrances.
Decorative candles
If you enter a homeware store you’ll probably have seen candles of various colors, shapes, or sizes. Sometimes candles are made to decorate but they do not have to have fragrance and do not contain specialized substances.
The candles add a special touch to their rooms’ interiors. Candle decorations usually have complex shapes with accessories and have complex designs.
Make candles that sell
It has been emphasized in our demonstration that candles can be made of various types in the kitchen. We show you the basics of making soy candles on this site. You could use similar ingredients and tweak them slightly to create your personal recipe.
Free: Business Plan Template
Business plans are sometimes used in order to raise funding, and some businesses even find the writing process helpful even when they don’t work with an investor. This is why you can find the right template here to start your own business.
Candle Company Insurance
For almost all home based businesses you will need some form of insurance. For this specific type of operation, you will definitely need it as you will be working with some volatile ingredients at temperature so candle makers insurance is not only required but is essential in the unfortunate case of an accident.
If you are not sure where to go in your state jump online and search for ‘insurance for candle making business’ and you will get a few specialized insurance companies who will be familiar with your needs.
How does a candle making business make money?
Candle manufacturing companies are selling directly to consumers or indirectly via resellers like boutiques, gift shops, and other shops.
Candle making can be quite an extensive industry, so differentiate your products by the kind of candles your business offers (pillars, floating votive tins, etc. ), or through quality offerings. Try scent colors and molds for an interesting effect and worthy premium pricing.
In addition, always be looking for raw material suppliers with low costs and maximize profit from your sales. Consider also other candle types to appeal to a different audience.
How can you make your business more profitable?
Once you are familiar with candlemaking basics, think about adding products to your offerings. You can improve your business by learning how to make candles in almost every shape and size.
You can even market fancy lamp based oils with liquid candles. Similarly, look for associated sensory materials like perfume soap, or incense.
In some cases, this addition can be learned from a manufacturer’s website and can be bought from a retailer for sale on the internet. Alternatively, consider introducing candlemaking classes to those who are not in an existing studio.
How much can you charge customers?
Your items can start from a few dollars or go upward of a hundred. The prices you pay will vary with respect to your products’ range and quality, their audience, their marketing strategy, and the competition you offer them.
Ensure your raw materials are at incredibly affordable rates and you know what their rivals charge. You might need many waxes, wicks, colors, fragrances, and other items in bulk so it is easier to enjoy maximum savings each time.
When selling a higher quality item line price will be irrelevant.
Who is your target market?
Your end user is anybody wanting candles. Some people have pragmatic needs like lighting during power blackouts while others seek more tactile experiences.
Other good clients are churches that decorate their prayer offerings with candlelight or retailers that wish to add dramatic effects to their showroom displays.
A reseller could also sell you goods in bulk. This may include stores within the local region. Some of these people meet during the art and craft trade show.
What is the cost of starting a candle making business?
In most instances, your business can be started in your home by using your own kitchen and utensils. The starter kit is also available on many websites such as Candle Science and CandleChem.
Your first batch of candles needn’t cost more than $100. You may need to add other costs such as Webhosting and web development which are generally between 100 and 900 dollars,, depending upon your knowledge of this sector, and an adequate camera to showcase your work.
A small market stall may set you back a few dollars each time, and you can expect gasoline and travel expenses on top of this if you are selling at local markets or other in person events.
Form a legal entity
A typical business structure type includes sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and Corporation. The establishment of a legally recognized business entity like a company or LLC can help protect you against being liable for any damages as retaliation for the candle making business.
Learn How to create an LLC with a good professional. The Company should be approved by an authorized agent. LLC formation packages typically offer a free year of registration.
Open a business bank account & credit card
Creating personal assets through business bank accounts is important to protect them. If you mix business and personal accounts, your personal possessions may be at stake in the event of a lawsuit.
In commercial law, it is called breaking your company veil. Furthermore, learning how to build credit will help with better interest rates and more lines of credit for your company.
Register for taxes
You will have to file several tax forms before you can start. An application for tax identification must be filed through an EIN. This is simple and free! It is free to obtain your EIN through the IRS website, fax, or mail.
What are the ongoing expenses for candle making business?
It’s mostly centered on the different types of wax in your container and colors and fragrances. You could buy them as a small product in bulk at a lower per-unit cost. The wax for instance is available for a few cents an ounce in 25 kg packs. Wicks are available at 100ft. Spools. Containers are also available as containers ranging from glass containers to mason jars.
Check here for our guide on candle making supplies
What is the name of your business?
It’s important to find a good name. If your business is not already registered with the registry, it may require some help with identifying the company name. Visit this book on Database Architecture for more information. If you register a business name, it is recommended to investigate the name of this business and check that it is important to protect it.
State & Local Business Licensing requirements
Some states require a permit to enter into business on eBay. See the State licensing requirements for the SBA website. Almost all businesses collect tax for the products and services offered. What are the impacts sales tax can have on your business? A number of local regulations and licensing procedures may also need to be adhered to.
Open net 30 accounts
The Net 30 account is intended to establish and grow credit for businesses and to boost cash flow. With Net 30, businesses can buy products in 30 days to regain all of their debt. Net Many net 30 credit vendors are referred from the largest business credit bureaus. How do businesses get business loan approval from the credit bureau?
Small Business Taxes
The tax treatment for businesses varies depending on what business structure you choose. Some corporations can be taxed by incorporating S corporations. Many online guides provide information on small company taxes: The tax is a specific state tax affecting your business.
Plan your business
The business owner needs to plan well. This will help you identify specific aspects of the company and uncover some of its hidden secrets. Thankfully, we have done some research for you too.
How much profit can a candle making business make?
The possibility that the profit will exceed 55% is high. Materials costs are relatively low, but you must invest in ensuring that you are making your business profitable.
Develop your candle making skills
Then you have to learn the way of making candles. Jazmin gave me the steps for accomplishing that goal in the interviews.
How to make candles?
Jazmin, a candle maker, explained how you can create the candle: Jazmin said: If a candle is used it contains 20% of a scent that is scented. Please see our conversation below.
After candles have dried they must be wrapped and packed so they can be shipped to customers who have ordered.
Then Jazmin advised that decorative package provides more prestige and commands higher prices. It is easy to hire packaging designers at 99 Designs or from other websites like Fiverr.
Material costs for candle makers
Jazmin says the cost of a startup is around $100. You can purchase everything you need from the Amazon website. She loves mixing various scents and making them unique.
Acquire tools and materials for candle making
The proper tools and equipment are essential for making the task enjoyable and easier. We have the following information here regarding what is needed to set up candle production.
Is candle making a profitable business model?
Do candles make money? Candle manufacturing is very lucrative. The candle-making industry is expected to be worth around $5 billion by 2026. Almost everyone who buys a candle is happy and many are repeat customers!
How much can you make owning a candle business?
The average cost of making candles is $5 and selling your candle could generate an average profit of $20 per candle. Selling 250 candles a month could net you a $5k a month gross for your business
Conclusion
While it may sound daunting at the beginning, running your own business can be one of the best things you could ever do for yourself and your family.
Having the control to make your own money without relying on the whims of others is one of the most liberating things in life.
Looking to make money from crafts?
Click here to learn how with our step-by-step guide showing you everything you need to know.