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Life gets so busy as a mom, whether you’re working full time, staying home, or doing something in between. For the craft lovers and DIYers out there, we often put our creative hobbies last…because it takes time, MONEY, and energy.
What would happen if you used your creative skills to build a candle business from home?
Imagine using your crafting hobby as a way to earn extra cash from home with easy candle crafts to make and sell for profit!
Other Money-Making Crafts
How to Start a Candle Making Business at Home
You can start a candle business at home as a hobby candlemaker. Start making candles in your kitchen and create a business plan to grow from there.
Creating a Brand
From a business perspective, you will need to define your brand and create a marketing strategy so that you can stand out in a sea of competition. Consider your target market:
- Who wants to buy these candles?
- Why do they want to buy your candles?
- What problem will they solve using your candles?
- What are their common interests?
- What will set your candles apart from others?
One of my favorite books about helping you define your business brand is Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. He walks you through creating an explicit plan to set up how your business products or services will help potential customers solve their problems! It’s genius!
Where to Sell Candles Online
Start selling candles online with sites like Etsy, eBay, Handmade by Amazon, or start your own online store with Shopify to sell your candles.
An important part of selling candles online is leveraging social media to grow brand awareness about your candle making business. Social media is a great way to create a community around your brand and reach outside of your local community.
You can also sell candles at markets, local craft fairs, and holiday bazaars. The beauty of selling candles online is that your time can be more flexible!
Farmer’s markets are another great place to sell candles. Learn my tips on selling at farmer’s markets.
Pricing Candles
Researching your competition on various handmade sites is an important part of pricing your candles. You will need to access the cost of supplies, time to make the candles, and shipping when selling online. Currently, handmade candles in an 8 oz jar are generally selling for between $5 -$20 on Etsy.
Also See: How to Price Handmade Items
Making Candles
Finally, you will need to develop a system for making candles. This will include supplies, procedures, recipes, and shipping.
Candle Making Supplies
- Soy Wax
- Candle Wicks
- Candle Making Pitcher
- Candle Tins
- Essential Oils (I found these on Amazon for under $15, and I love them for not only scented candles but using them for potpourri, mason jar crafts, and bath bombs!
PRO TIP: These are just a few general things that you will need to start a candle-making small business from home. For more details, check out the DIY section below.
If you are a crafty person but have never made candles before, then start practicing candle-making. for your friends and family. Sharing your homemade candles with friends and family is a great way to start developing your brand awareness.
DIY Candle Making Ideas
We’ve put together a list of 15 DIY candle craft trends that people want to buy! Use this list of DIY candles to get started and experiment with scents to make them your own!
Good Evening,
Do you have any recipes on energy and cocoa on soy or beeswax candles? Thanks.
I would like to start learning how to make candles