I know you had the best intentions. Your plan was solid to get ready for the busy candle selling season. Fragrances were chosen and candles were perfected. Or maybe you got stuck in the planning mode. No matter what, it’s ok if you couldn’t make it happen.
Wherever you are in your candle making journey, here’s what you can do to keep going.
Stop Beating Yourself Up
You had such high hopes and it didn’t happen for you. Life got busy and your candles always got pushed to tomorrow. It seemed like one thing after another. Your candles were ready, but now the labels weren’t quite right, and you doubted if you could even do this. The voices came…”what if no one buys any candles?”
You didn’t give yourself a chance. You quit before you really started. It’s time to give yourself a break because you can still do this.
Regroup
Now it’s time to regroup and figure out where you went wrong. Break this down to Candle making and Candle Selling.
Candle Making
The most important…Do you have all of your candle supplies? Are there enough supplies for up to 4 different fragrances (because we’re starting small)? Do you know where you’re ordering your supplies and are they reliable? Did you properly test your candels? You can spend a lot of time in this stage and it’s OK.
Your candle quality is everything, so take the time to get it right. Customers will only give you one chance—if the first candle isn’t excellent, they won’t come back for a second.
If you’re not sure where to turn for supplies, here are two candle supply companies to help you no matter where you are on your journey:
Candle Business
Now you have your candles ready to go, but you’re not finished yet. The labels are so very important and can hold you up…don’t let that happen!
You have to make some decisions about what type of label, your business name and the logo. What even goes on the label (I have an article about label requirements to help you)? Also are you printing them yourself or having an outside printing company do that for you?
Then there’s keeping track of your inventory and supplies. An excell spreadsheet works for that or if you want to take it to the next step you can check out CraftyBase.
Here’a a big one: where are you selling your candles? Etsy? Shopify? Your own website? Now imagine you made a sale and you’re so excited! Now you’re going to package it and send it to your customer…do you have all of your packaging materials?
And one last important piece of business to take care of is your insurance. If you’re going to sell your candles please get insurance.
I know that was a lot and hopefully you’ve got most of that covered for your new adventure, but if not make a list of what you still need to do and keep going.
Focus on the Future
You can’t do anything about missing last season, so who cares? Now is the time to really get yourself organized and perfect your candles. Work on improving where you need to. Try new fragrances and jar sizes. Organize your work space.
Start Before the Busy Season
While the holiday season is the peak time for candles, demand for candles remains steady throughout the year, especially for occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and home decor. You have options.
Develop candles that cater to different seasons, holidays, and themes. Consider creating candles for upcoming holidays like Valentine’s Day, Easter, or Mother’s Day. You can also focus on “self-care” candles, which people often purchase as gifts or for personal relaxation throughout the year.
Don’t Give Up
Candles are more than just decorative items—they represent a unique and creative craft, and there are many reasons why you shouldn’t give up on making candles, even if you face challenges along the way. Here are some key reasons to keep going:
Creativity & Self-Expression
Candle making allows you to express yourself in ways few other crafts can. Whether it’s designing a new scent, or experimenting with colors, candles offer endless creative possibilities.
Even if you’re facing setbacks, the satisfaction of crafting something uniquely yours is worth the effort. Plus, as you improve your skills, your candles will get better, and your creative ideas will grow.
Growing Demand for Handcrafted Goods
In recent years, there has been a growing appreciation for handmade, unique products. Consumers are increasingly seeking out small-batch, artisanal goods that are crafted with care. Candles, in particular, are a product that people love to gift, collect, and enjoy in their homes.
With the right approach, you can tap into a market that values craftsmanship, sustainability, and personalization.
Learning & Improving Skills
Candle making is a skill that improves over time. When you first start, your candles might not turn out perfect, but each mistake is a learning opportunity. You’ll learn about different types of wax, wick sizes, fragrance ratios, and pouring techniques.
The more you practice, the better your candles will get. It’s a craft that rewards persistence and allows you to continuously improve and refine your technique.
Potential for Profit
Candle making can become a profitable business if you choose to turn it into a side hustle or business. The candle industry is thriving, and people are willing to pay a premium for high-quality, unique candles.
By investing time and effort into perfecting your candles, you can develop a product line that attracts customers. Whether it’s through local markets, online shops, or wholesale opportunities, there’s a significant potential for growth.
No matter what, keep going…you can make this happen!
