I would always avoid starting any business due to market saturation, but quickly realized that I go to different stores that offer more or less the same products for different needs I had as a consumer and I love that I can do the same for someone through my candle business whether it's my fragrance lineup, the simplicity of my vessels, the benefits of the waxes and wicks I use, so you ought to attract a specific customer that loves what you offer :)
I love how genuine and transparent you are. You’re very helpful to us newcomers and I very much appreciate how you give back to the candle making community.
I love that as someone looking to start my own candle business down the road, I can come to your channel when there's a new video and it's as though you're reading my mind at that present time. I'm in the middle of my testing process and recently put my candles in the hands of my friends and family for the first time and I'm a nervous wreck lol. And it has me questioning if I'm going too fast (been testing for 6 months now) or should I just quit while I'm ahead. But this video reassured me that I want to learn more about the process (all of it) and to continue with my testing. I'm probably about 90% satisfied with my candles. I love the idea that I can push the message further to my blog readers by using my candles to promote self-appreciation. Yet I'm getting overwhelmed at just researching all the legal stuff and where to even start in my state. So I do thank you Erica for putting these videos out for those like me who really enjoy candle making to and want to gain confidence in making our products 😊
Hello Erica & Baby to come!! I was hesitant to launch when I first started making candles which was early 2022 after retiring from Nursing. However, I no longer fear it for several reasons: I watch all of your videos also Wade Thomas with BTB, so NO ONE can go wrong with following both of your advise. I knew I was able to launch when I checked all of the boxes on your Launch List that you released I believe last year. One of the CONs is also going outside to vendor during the hot months. Thank you so much for all you, hubby and other PRO candle makers out there.
You’re brilliant Erica. I haven’t commented much so far on your videos but they are so helpful. You’re great on camera and the content is fab. Brody is happy that you are finishing the video! I hope you and baby are well.
There is just SOO much that goes into owning a handmade/product based business that nobody talks about. You have touched base pretty well on some of the topics that someone wanting to start should take note of and do EXTENSIVE research on first! It's all about trial and error, fail, succeed, etc. that builds you as a person, but I have yet to find a video that can make it a bit simpler as far as a step by step guide and checklist that describes Everything, incliding sku's, barcodes/QR codes, scanners, what equipment will NOT work on certain platforms or devices etc. This is a crazy world we live in. Starting a business is like being re-born and having to learn it all by scratch " baby steps" , and can take some years to understand before even beginning. SOOO time consuming! Not trying to discourage anyone here, but for anyone thinking about " business" in general, research, ask questions, keep notes and 2 heads work better than one in some circumstances. FIND A MENTOR! Thank you Erica for this info 😎
I agree with all of your pros and cons. I'm still testing my candles right now and I will say it is frustrating sometimes. But I can't wait for the day I feel 100% confident to launch. 😊 Also, Erica do you have a video on what to tell people to look for when they're testing your candles? Like family and friends giving feedback sort of thing. I've considered making a question spread sheet sorta thing for people to fill out when testing my candles so I know what to improve.
Always enjoy your videos, I have a small bath & body. Looking to add candles sometime next year, but like candles my products are heavy and fragile. Thanks for sharing!! I was just looking at your followers, it was back in 2019 when I started to follow you, you have grown tremendously!! Happy to see it. If any of your followers want to know if your advice is good, look at the following, and all the opportunities it brings. Thanks for all you do.
I buy candles year round so my house always smells good since I have two big dogs. My friends use candles for the same reason so I hope there’s many like us always buying candles! I’m hoping to launch my candle company this fall!
I’ve been testing and having friends test for 3 years. I’m happy with my cold and hot throw. My wax melts are cute and friends love them. I’m scared to hit launch because of the legalities involved if something goes wrong with a product. The idea of finding insurance and finally filing for the LLC seems like a mountain I can’t climb
There are a lot of videos on here about insurance and filing an LLC literally takes minutes to do. Those sound more like excuses rather than a "mountain" and the US is one of the easiest places to sell candles and body products. If you want to see a mountain try the EU and the UK it's far harder there.
I find that some other challenges are money and time you need to invest into the business and keeping cogs down so you can make money. I havent launched yet due to this, it can be mentally and physically draining but watching your videos motivates me to keep going, thank you 🙏
Erica, I’m seriously considering this business idea. I’m retired so I have time to devote to creating a product. I’ve watched many of your videos, and they’re very informative and helpful. I would like to earn some extra income. And be creative, of course. I’m a little fearful of taking the leap. I’ve just started to make a few test candles but need to make many more! I go back and forth in my mind about whether or not to go ahead. If it goes well and is successful, I’d be able to provide a means for my two adult daughters to continue this endeavor later on. Any words of wisdom for me? Thank you.
I appreciate you sharing your perspective from someone who's already running a business. I'm still undeciding if I really want to commit, but I enjoy aspects of it that I would need to sell my candles to at least help offset some of the costs. Unrelated, but there's another candle youtuber that uses the exact look of your text for his thumbnails and always makes me think you posted a new video but no haha
My biggest issue is the money to start. Like I spent like 500$ on testing and equipment and I’m nervous about buying even more when I haven’t even started selling.
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