$1,370/Day in The Candle Business… WHAT?!

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Sisters Jen and Jocelyn have grown their candle business from a side-hustle to a $500,000 a year revenue-and it all started with about a hundred bucks! We’ll learn how they did it in this interview.
Turn your hobby into a business & save $1600 while you’re at it: www.elevate.store/upflip/4
Jocelyn first started making candles as a hobby and a way to give unique gifts to coworkers. She brought her sister Jen on board when she started selling her handcrafted candles at farmers markets. After a successful Kickstarter campaign, Jocelyn took the leap to focus on her business full-time, and then Jen followed soon after.
One great thing about a candle store is it doesn’t take a ton of money to get started. Jen and Jocelyn reinvested all the profits from their farmers market sales into the business. In the episode, Jen explains the best things to invest that money into to grow a business quickly, and her advice for someone who wants to start a handmade candle business with no money.
While they started with a farmers market booth, most of RxLA’s sales today are online. Jen shares how they built their online store and why sending email newsletters has been so impactful in growing their candle sales and revenue.
Jen and Jocelyn bootstrapped their business and were doing everything themselves when they started. Jen will share when they hired their first employees and how that’s fueled their growth. One way they tried to scale during Covid was through a brick-and-mortar store, which turned out to be their biggest setback. We’ll learn about the challenges of opening a physical retail space and what Jen and Jocelyn would do differently if they were starting it again.
If you liked this episode, make sure you check out some of our past interviews with business owners selling handcrafted goods:
A Day in the Life of a Candle Business Owner ►
• A Day In the Life of a...
How Blacktail Studio Makes $15K/Month Woodworking ►
• How Blacktail Studio M...
Resources
www.rxcandles.com/ - Find out more about RxLA candles on their website
www.upflip.com/podcast - Listen to our podcast interview with Jen and Jocelyn (episode 80)
www.upflip.com/courses - Take UpFlip’s courses for step-by-step blueprints to start a business
#candlebusiness #candlemaking #candlemakingbusiness

[@UpFlip]

Check out UpFlip courses taught by world-class entrepreneurs: www.upflip.com/courses/business

[@discoveringme941]

500k Reve 50% net at most $250k net

[@MrJasonPEdmonds]

I just bought like 20 candles from these girls. Anytime I see entrepreneurs sacrificing and overcoming natural adversities in business, I have to support.

[@UpFlip]

WOAH! That's awesome. Which scent did you order the most of?

[@MrJasonPEdmonds]

The one called Everything. Can't wait! @@UpFlip

[@Ida-Adriana]

You’re a very kind person, then!

[@aziza000]

You’re rich!

[@MrJasonPEdmonds]

@@aziza000 not at all. They’ll make great gifts. I kept 3 or 4 for myself

[@rxlathebrand]

Thanks so much for the feature! We're celebrating 10 years this year. So happy to have such amazing customers and hopefully to get some new ones with this video. Truly grateful thank you

[@joseph7105]

Your channel would blow up if you made videos about your process

[@amyprofitspecialist]

The importance of collecting emails for your business can't be stressed enough. Jen's experience with emails and newsletters highlights how valuable customer engagement is. 📧💼

[@goodgirlgonerich]

I hate to be a negative nelly but when people say that they started with $100, it would be nice to know exactly what you started with in terms of equipment and supplies, marketing, ect. I hughly doubt they got a candle melter for less than $100... We need the interview to ask more in depth details that people who are trying to startup their candle business to be inspired and not feel like giving up because they don't have a realistic example of how to start with $100.

[@kimrowe7554]

Hi I started my business about three years ago I started out with the candle kit from Amazon two pots and fragrance I also purchase about 28 Oz tins, color for candles and labels from Avery. That was around $100

[@giftednuke6633]

They call it do your own research, these KZbin video are very helpful they give us hope & direction but we still have to do our research so we know What we really getting into 👍. Jar can be bought in bulk size, logos can be found at staples or order online, fragrances up to you, bee wax in bulk, the rest can be found on Amazon or online. Planning on starting mine this fall wish mw well 🙏🏼

[@SophiaRoseApothecary]

They’re definitely lying.

[@Tweetask]

They later said in the video that they RAISED $4,000 from Kickstarter, so the $100 was not completely true at all.

[@L-M-O-1]

With $100 you can definitely get the supplies you need for a small batch. A melting pot/carafe, a pair of scissors, a case or 2 of jars, a few pounds of soy wax & a lb of fragrance would definitely be less than $100. The farmer's market may or may not have a vendor's fee depending on the venue.

[@victoriancu7358]

If someone can make a billion dollars selling water, a free product, anything is possible.

[@LightRealms]

In the process of starting my own business similar to this, I'm loving these videos, so helpful!

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@lifestyleapparelbrands]

I hope these video inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. Sure it's not gonna be easy starting out but never lose sight of your goal the hard work will eventually pay off!

[@UpFlip]

Exactly! Your comment sounds like it comes from personal experience... Can you tell us more about your entrepreneurship journey? 😀

[@JMICTHEBRAND.]

yesssssss

[@toleenkilani7729]

i wanna start my own candle business too and just like them im starting from scratch and with barely any money on me, i attended a workshop today and it made me feel so excited for this journey ahead, their story is inspiring

[@rxlathebrand]

Awesome, you can do it!!

[@rxlathebrand]

You can do it! It's all about picking/ making the right fragrances :)

[@norjahwitter7196]

Excited for you!!!

[@followGreatness]

Please can you share the workshop you attended.

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@MisoziTalks]

Amazing business! And because of the food poisoning the sisters saw the bright side and worked together! Great advise on trying pop up stores to get an understanding of clients before going online. Everyone talks about shopify etc but I now understand that there are cheaper ways of being online. Thank you for this video!

[@rxlathebrand]

Thanks you so much! What a blessing in disguise

[@rxlathebrand]

Thanks for your comments and for watching!!!

[@betsylang9607]

I didn't hear about the food poisoning part

[@user-ds8fq8cp2f]

I'm just getting product testing done and lables figured out. $800.invested,so far

[@candela.bright]

I think around that time $100 took you further ...now a days a good solid start up for me was $300-350 and thats for everything to make 38 candles in total.. i was able to flip that and make my money back and SOME it was awesome and i put all that back to get more supplies then last time and just did it all over again until i was making profit .. and this is just wholesale and pop events i havent launch my website yet!

[@reachyouteachyou4649]

Where do i start?

[@interlaken]

Very, very well done!

[@jaxx-_-123]

Love the channel! I always wanted to start my own business and your videos provide tons of great information! ❤

[@UpFlip]

Anytime Jackson! What type of business interests you most? Any request for interviews?

[@jaxx-_-123]

@@UpFlip That’s a good question. At one time I wanted to open my own balloon business for specialty balloons. Big balloons. 3’ 5’ 10’ balloons. You couldn’t find them easily so I thought it would be cool. Have my own little warehouse. 😄

[@mohammednomani]

Thanks for the questions 😊

[@dotpenji]

Jennifer, your journey from $100 to a $500,000 annual business is truly impressive. Your ability to pivot and respond to customer needs is remarkable. Can you share the most surprising fragrance request from a customer that led to a successful product addition?

[@motivatedbeastph]

I don't know selling candle can earn that much!

[@UpFlip]

That's an interesting question! Hope we've had the chance to ask her that.

[@lusyow0517]

This is quite informative!

[@rxlathebrand]

Being at the market makes it so that we’re customer facing and get to hear a lot of feedback about our scents. The most successful addition to our line was the scent “Everything.” it’s literally a mix of our top five best selling sense. We made it because a lot of customers would walk up to our booth and say they like the smell and wanted to buy the smell that they were smelling when they walk through the market… we would have to inform them that it was a combination of all of the scents and that they would have to buy multiple candles in order to create that scent. We got that comment so many times over the years that we finally created “Everything”

[@monicasoriano8581]

This video is quite encouraging, though any business venture carries risks, and not all businesses will achieve the same level of success. It's important to be prepared for challenges and setbacks. It typically requires hard work, dedication, a sound business strategy, and a keen understanding of the market and customer needs.

[@RealityTrailers]

Cool, thanks for sharing.

[@ninaninabonita]

I love your page, I’m always watching & learning 🎉best page on YT

[@deezonyxde77]

I'm inspired ❤ thanks so much.

[@JorgeMetria-yo9rh]

Thank you ❤❤❤

[@shanellanderson9791]

Love this channel!!

[@loveyourselfmorecandles]

Very motivating!

[@bryantgambrell8209]

Great content

[@thiagomarques8106]

I see comments about scented candles being toxic. Pretty sure the person who writes that smokes a vape, eat processed food, buy plastic wrapped food from traders joe but uses a paper bag to bring them home lol

[@kathietryon630]

Your very rude and critical.

[@Nerdytimhieu]

Wow she kind of inspire us to make something more

[@moircandlecompany]

Love this segment❤and there candle vessels are Gorg!

[@angelachanellehuang5663]

Entrepreneurship. Love this

[@UpFlip]

We're glad to hear that you enjoyed the video! Did it spark your interest in starting your own candle business? 😊

[@SandraGonzalez-rs7qo]

Sincerely 100$ don’t know what supplies they buy with that money. In my own experience checking prices for diy candles it can be more than 200$ and fir sealing have to have a permits it cost some more money any way is ok to say how much you really spend I’m happy for them and hope I can do it good too soon ❤

[@renatonp]

You are forgetting that they started 10 years ago. At that time, 100 dollars was more powerful than today.

[@skingoddess94]

​@renatonp 14 years ago I invested several hundred dollars and never got passed the testing phase. Sure I could have thrown anything together for a hundred bucks, but it would not have been tested for throw, burn rate or safety.

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@cecyredding6814]

Dont pop up set up cost money? The tables, banner etc?

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@tonyrichmond9428]

What other channels do y'all watch?

[@tanshmay]

Amazing

[@Wheelztotheworld]

Awesome

[@dinayansane7524]

Good Job🎉

[@UpFlip]

Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@Good_Things_To_Know]

I wish i could know how to get my business to this point. 😕

[@samantha.almonte]

I design websites for entrepreneurs!

[@inmortal131]

Social media ?

[@danief2983]

Information please

[@marthienel2190]

Not nice to use this channel to advertise yourself

[@joanmanzella8740]

Are they selling wholesale?

[@MrH786]

MrBeast just showed this huge home the other day and the owner was in the candle business. See the KZbin video $1 Vs $100,000,000 House!

[@thriveindollars]

I am not sure what she means with the pre-sell route you can take if you have $0 at first that she was referring to. Can anyone please explain?

[@cangel201]

She was talking about selling a product she doesn’t have yet, a presale. But any candlemaker will tell you, you need to make and burn at least 100 candles to test various things. Hot throw, cold throw, clean burn, time burning, it’s chemistry and lots of variables are involved. It’s just such a bad advice for a newbie; presale with no candle making knowledge or experience.

[@rxlathebrand]

I def woud not recommend this route with zero experience, however I felt he asked if it is possible. Which now with technology it is possible to do all the mock ups and do pre-sales of your products. You would, however, need a tried and tested product to make sure your recipe is good. I gave my mom our recipe for free and now she has her own company :D so it is possssssible.

Would love to see this channel showcase more women in business, 95% are men. 💗

[@user-of7jy1kv4c]

in the candle business very few have the quality to be bought again. The only ones I am ok to spend extra are La bougie française. Not just good scents. it absorbs bad ones.

[@UpFlip]

Maybe you can try theirs! It's really good 🙏

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@babyblue7798]

are these non-toxic? i used to buy these, but now only use a diffuser with reputable companies that sell organic essentia oils

[@skingoddess94]

Essential oils can actually be more toxic than phthalate-free candles.

[@luispalma9195]

Where is wes Watson video?? We want yo see it

[@buddyywilsonn]

That's lit 🔥😅

[@rxlathebrand]

no pun intended

[@hunterzeiner991]

I think the other thumbnail was better!

[@Usertrappedindatabase]

Video can be highly misleading, they had $4,100 for their startup, not $100. $100 their own cash, 4k from kickstarter. Not to downplay their success, but the video could have been more honest to the viewer.

[@verakhym]

Is it really sustainable though? A lot of businesses can have great revenue for a while and when you become just another candle brand out of the millions out there the business becomes "stuck". Especially now that the post pandemic/side gig economy is thriving everyone seems to have a candle brand! I started mine 4 years ago but once the pandemic hit, everybody and their grandmas started to make candles and sell them. I think it's important that people that are new and starting in their entrepreneurial journey to find something that is special to them and something uniquely different and THEIRS. People watch a few KZbin videos on people making solid returns on candles, shirts, Etsy stores, etc and just all start to attempt to do the same thing JUST to make extra side income. Find something special to your own selves instead of following what other people HAPPENED to thrive in their own sector/ idea/ products.

[@SNEAKS_79]

Have you guys ever interviewed a flower shop business owner?

[@UpFlip]

No, we haven’t, but that's a great suggestion! Any recommendations? ☺️

[@SNEAKS_79]

@UpFlip No. But if i hear anything I'll keep in touch

[@lllaidbackt]

@@UpFliphave you guys interviewed a home fragrance company that sells highend products ( meaning their products are priced $80-100 plus) would love to see how a small business succeeded in the luxury arena ( not just look luxury but priced as well and able to get people to buy )

[@shoppingislifeuk]

Wow

[@UpFlip]

Were you inspired to start your own candle business? ☺️

[@formxshape]

Scented candles has to be the most saturated market in the world. And no one talks about the synthetic scents and the chemicals they are made from… it’s actually not healthy for your lungs to breath in the smoke/scent from these candles.

[@rxlathebrand]

Very true! Fragrance is an unregulated industry and many candles and other fragrance products contain toxic ingredients that you, your kids, and pets shouldn’t be inhaling. We use clean fragrances which are more expensive but they are free from carcinogens, reproductive toxins, and other potentially hazardous ingredients. I bring my dog and baby to the candle warehouse on a regular basis. I wouldn’t do so if I felt our scents weren’t safe for them. ❤

[@SophiaRoseApothecary]

Honey water and oxygen are chemicals. That’s the dumbest argument people make. Considering essential oils are more toxic than fragrance oils.

[@happylifegrace4674]

What are some better ways to make candles that don;t harm the immune system and people? (Share any solutions and thoughts on what ingredients or other brands that do a good job?). I'm learning..

[@simplyscented2138]

Aromas are chemicals, fragrance is also an incredibly regulated field - every fragrance oil you buy is made out of aroma chemicals(whether made in a lab or in nature) and it’s the amount of the different elements that trigger warnings - for instance too much oak moss (natural) is only allowed in very small quantities - the same with cinnamon etc Nature is not all safe and chemical is not all unsafe

[@AleksSmollbiz]

How often to change scents?

[@UpFlip]

What do you mean change scents? Do you mean how often they manufacture a new one?

[@mudaasarali5497]

Details

[@dilankabuddhika1455]

Please do a electrical service company, You already do many of business video, but didn't do a electrical service company.

[@agomodern]

I'm surprised that e-mail lists are still so big. I rarely ever go to my emails unless I know I am going to receive one. How about phone numbers?

[@UpFlip]

Email marketing is still one of the biggest forms of marketing out there, and they're going to be around for a while!

[@isabelpapagno1433]

what is the name of their company? do they have a website?

[@UpFlip]

They do! Just search up RxLA! ☺️

[@Sharkdog11b]

Soooooo is that 500,000 take home orrrrr? That’s the only thing that really turns me off is I don’t recall any episode where you guys explain that I mean what’s the overhead? What’s the take home? What if she makes 500,000 but you’re not telling me her overhead is 450,000 or something similar I’m sure everyone would like to know what each one of your interviewees is ACTUALLY making not just throw around the biggest most attractive number possible without explaining what that number actually means. What👏is👏the TAKE HOME! 😂

[@kajahleak9864]

I think they said it already it was 50% profit. Thats 250k since its 2 of them im assuming there taking 125k a piece

[@curedham2963]

they usually discuss it, depends on how willing the owner is in explaining the details.

[@joseph7105]

Watch the video? They always break it down

[@UpFlip]

Its in the episode ;)

[@LearnPatente]

It’s common sense, if she makes 500k a year make the dam calculation yourself.

[@PlayMyMusicPlaylist]

50% profit margin? Hard to believe. Is that after paying employee and themselves?

[@abhik4353]

1st comment 🎉

[@By-zoraida78]

Pano . Saan mabiki materyalis

[@UpFlip]

Amazon is a wonderful place to start looking! ☺️

[@bcmoment]

😍

[@UpFlip]

Thanks for watching! ☺️

[@jayr6839]

They can literally go to a manufacturer to have those candles made and save themselves all that manual labor. Or at the very least use a manufacturer to produce the best sellers, so now they can focus on growing the business.

[@kruzedarling9347]

True but u can’t do quality control when u outsource it.

[@jayr6839]

@@kruzedarling9347 You can if you have them produced and sent to you, then you distribute it yourself.

[@UpFlip]

That's one way of growing a business but that's not their business model as of the moment. ☺️

[@chanceriordan]

Most manufacturers have a significant lead time, which makes it very difficult to fulfill large wholesale orders in a short period of time. That's why a lot of these candle companies are making their own candles instead of outsourcing.

[@jayr6839]

She can literally place an order for the candles to be made in 30-45 days, and while she waits for the order, she could continue to make the candles the manual way. Then as soon as she receives the first batch from the manufacturers, she places a seconds order with them. So she can receive the second batch, right before the first batch finish. And just keep the cycle going. And in the mean time they can focus on marketing/content and also a second manufacturer, so their lead time can cut in half to 2-3 weeks.There's always a way to work around every difficult situation in every business. @@chanceriordan

[@betsylang9607]

I would love to start my own small business, But I am so computer illiterate, i don't know how i could do all that they did, or with any business

[@InboxBliss]

Hello! If you're considering starting a business, I wanted to let you know that we have candle labels available at the best rates, along with fast shipping and high-quality vinyl. It's a great way to enhance your branding and create a memorable experience for your customers. Let me know if you're interested or have any questions!

[@TheEublepharis1]

Of course :DDDD

[@LoyaltyRewardStamps]

They could scale 10x to 5 million if they offered a Loyalty Reward program

[@Excelseron]

First 😮

[@Cal97g]

Why so much wick waste?

[@jonathansmith5561]

Maybe the wick is then halved so they can reuse?

[@ceemariejaye5453]

Wicks typically come in 6 inches and you cut off the excess. You can make new ones out of them but you have to factor in your time vs the cost savings. They are paying probably a penny each in bulk and it might not be worth their time to do something with it

[@dgstudioone]

I don’t like this video because y’all didn’t share where to buy the wax and fragrance, jars etc…. Black sunflower share all that information

[@user-dk2dr6nw3b]

as she said...it can't say handmade on the label if she gets it manufactured.......and lots of pop ups and markets are for only handmade businesses...MORE AND MORE people are looking for handmade because they are tired of manufactured items. They are are not made as well. Handmade is handmade. Handmade is not manufactured.

[@sorayashahi]

These videos are always so lazy. No real questions are ever asked. They always say they started with nothing or 100 bucks lol. Don’t say you started with 100 when you had a kickstarter and got 4 grand out of it. My god it’s just infuriating. Also none of these brands are even seen anywhere. So they call you to be on your channel?

[@Glow0110]

Tell me you're from the US without telling me you're from the US lol

[@ef2967]

Sorry, but you can't even buy a box of wax with shipping for a $100

[@dakine4238]

Why are candle businesses so lucrative?

[@whymindsetmatters]

Someone should let her know if she doesn't already is to find an influencer who will represent her brand well. Influencers are the new marketers.

[@UpFlip]

That's one way to tackle marketing! ☺️

[@sutats]

A modern day luxury or a third world essential.

[@UpFlip]

Interested to find out if you have a passion for candles or fragrances? For some, they are a necessity, while for others, they represent a luxury.

[@justinwest5200]

I like the other guy he just seems sleazy

[@renatoyutub]

Congrats to them... but their products need a better image, their labels look cheap

[@realoneamariyanna3282]

It's NOT this easy lol they had help from someone or something.

[@renatoyutub]

Yeah, I suspect the 4,000 dollars from kickstarter were mainly donated by family members/friends

[@willwill235]

This only works if cute girls are selling it and people pay for a convo.. same types that would subscribe to their OF 😆 🤣 😂 😹

[@SCWelfareDirectorateGovtofTrip]

jen so pretty ur

[@UpFlip]

So true! 🙌

[@aldastroud9671]

Iv seen a lot of videos like this... I know the deal so stop all the bull, you just after more income, you're so busy making millions and still have time and want more?!! 2 choice, or you super greedy or lying. I didn't even see the video, they all the same and after the same thing 🙄 Just really upset me you putting false hopes in people for your own good...

[@jonesszz1284]

Are you referring to all the people they interview on this channel or these candle makers specifically?

[@ahitzkenny428]

we had a little bit of money from kickstarter.... and only had $100 do you mind divulging how much was on that kickstarter??? LOL corny as fuck

[@tipfertilizer4595]

Candle is very bad for your lung.

[@felipeg9022]

Not as bad as cigarettes, vapers or city cars

[@RyotaMitarai]

aren't there medicinal candles? i guess it depends on the materials these candles made from

[@goodgirlgonerich]

So is the air pollution, lol.

[@pomchibunch]

Not all candles. Paraffin yes! Made from petroleum. Soy & Coconut ones more eco friendly. I have some pet friendly ones.

[@tastychicken3966]

as long as it sells , they don't care

[@wendykgosi149]

Lie. Lie lie. Didn’t use any money to start? Hahaha massive lie.

[@UpFlip]

They used crowdfunding to finance their business. It's one technique to start if you're short on cash ☺️

[@TheBlacksheep2020]

Started with $100? Bs

[@ahitzkenny428]

lotta victim complex in this poor poor lady :////

[@MrIowahawks77]

Bs

[@moneymanifestation9505]

If she's working on the business everyday then it's a job😂a real business functions without the owners having to be there

[@user-zl6rf8os4s]

I think the other thumbnail was better!