Do you have a burning passion for creativity, scents that soothe the soul, and the desire to run your own business? Starting a soy candle making company might be the perfect venture for you. Not only can it be a fulfilling and artistic endeavour, but it also allows you to share your love for candles with the world. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you ignite your candle-making dreams. We have fifteen pieces of candle-making advice to consider:
PASSION AND RESEARCH
Begin with a love for candles and a passion for the craft. Take Starlite Soap Studio's Soy Candle and Beeswax Candle workshops. Dive into research to understand the candle market, trends, and your potential competitors. Identify what sets your candles apart.
CRAFT YOUR BUSINESS PLAN
Your business plan is your roadmap to success. Outline your business goals, target market, pricing strategy, and financial projections. Define your brand identity and unique selling points.
LEGALITIES AND REGULATIONS
Register your business, obtain any required permits, and comply with local, provincial, and federal regulations. This may include product labeling, safety standards, and tax obligations. In Canada, will you sell enough in your first year to register for GST? And PST in British Columbia?
SOURCING QUALITY MATERIALS
Invest in high-quality soy wax, fragrance oils, wicks, and containers. Sourcing sustainable and eco-friendly materials can be a selling point for your brand.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
Experiment with different fragrances and container styles to create a unique product line. Ensure your candles burn evenly and emit the desired scents. Test, test, test! You want your customers to be happy with their purchases, not hunting you down to obtain a refund for a dud product!
DESIGN EYE-CATCHING PACKAGING
Your candles' packaging should reflect your brand's identity and attract customers. Always get a second opinion. What you feel is a fun, or sophisticated, or funny design might be anything but. Consider environmentally friendly packaging options.
SET UP YOUR WORKSPACE
Create a dedicated workspace with proper ventilation and safety measures. Equip it with the necessary tools like double boilers, thermometers, and pouring equipment.
TESTING AND QUALITY CONTROL
Rigorously test your candles for quality and consistency. Pay attention to burn times, scent throw, and appearance.
BUILD AN ONLINE PRESENCE
Create a user-friendly website showcasing your candles. Invest in professional product photography or at least consult online tutorials to create the perfect "look". Provide detailed descriptions. Set up e-commerce capabilities for online sales.
MARKET YOUR BRAND
Develop a marketing strategy that includes social media marketing, email marketing, and possibly influencer collaborations. Engage with your audience and tell the story behind your candles.
SELL AT LOCAL MARKETS
Consider selling your candles at local craft fairs, farmers' markets, or pop-up shops to reach a broader audience. Register early! Summer, fall and Christmas markets book up many months in advance, and many are curated, meaning that they will only allow a certain number of candle sellers.
WHOLESALE AND PARTNERSHIPS
Explore opportunities to sell your candles through local boutiques, gift shops, or online marketplaces. Establish wholesale pricing and build relationships with retailers. Be ready to answer potential wholesale enquiries multiple times at a market, you can either say "no, I haven't thought about it" or "I would love to wholesale my candles to your company! Here's my wholesale brochure. Can I give you a call on Monday?"
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Provide exceptional customer service to build brand loyalty. Address inquiries promptly and handle any issues professionally. Always answer your phone professionally.
SCALING YOUR BUSINESS
As demand grows, consider scaling your production. Hire additional help or explore automation options while maintaining quality.
STAY INFORMED
Keep up with industry trends, new fragrance options, and sustainability practices to stay competitive and relevant.
Starting a soy candle making company requires dedication, creativity, and a strong business mindset. With the right planning and commitment to quality, you can turn your passion for candle crafting into a thriving business that brings warmth and fragrance to homes everywhere. So, light that first wick and begin your journey toward candle-making success!
Need advice? Take one of Starlite's candle workshops and ask away!