Advice & Tips For Starting A Candle Business

[@thedoubleboiler6971]

I definitely didn't realize what I was getting into when I struggled.. (started). I do love it still. It has been so much work, but worth it; for anyone who's beginning. Not just in candles, but any business venture. So even if candles are not for you, there's so much that can be learned from it if you decide to venture into something else. On my end, I have fallen asleep when candles are lit by accident and have abused them in every way, before being confident enough to sell. It took months, but worth it. You did a great job in covering everything.

[@calafiacandleco]

Thank you so much and thanks for watching!

[@teannahairston5729]

Also, love the color of the new jars. They are very aesthetically pleasing. I did also like your other jars as well, but that pop of color definitely makes a difference. I hope they are a hit. Thanks for the tips.

[@calafiacandleco]

Thank you so much, Teanna!

[@jessicaramey5966]

Could you do a video where you make a candle start to finish. So how you make the jar, put on the warning label and stoppers, sealing, adding a wick, pouring the candle, labeling, etc. I’m more confused on if you sand the jars, also you mentioned that the candles separate and you use a heat gun to fix it, etc. I’m not trying to copy you, I have my own candle stuff but I wanted to switch over to making the concrete vessels, so that’s where I’m a bit lost. Anyway, thank you and I love how thorough you are in your videos.

[@outyonder3292]

Thanks for a really informative video. Especially the insurance, taxes etc.

[@declanosbourne62]

Great tips. I started making candles for just fun. And there are things I didn't know that I should know but I didn't know. A story for my brand, Know my target audience, the color for my brand, logo and banner matching, overall, brand identity so people will recognize my brand when they see it . How can you help in these.?

[@jacquiericard5190]

You are brilliant! Love the string & tag idea. Your work is beautiful ❤️

[@BeckyBrown2003]

I really love your videos! I've been making candles for fun and I've learned a lot from you. I want to start a small business (unrelated to candles) and these tips are super helpful! Thanks for sharing such great info. :)

[@calafiacandleco]

I'm so glad you find them helpful! Thank you for watching and best of luck to you!

[@teannahairston5729]

Thanks for this video. Feels like it's right on time......for me anyway.

[@calafiacandleco]

Thanks for watching!

[@lisatavarez]

Great advice!! It’s hard to do when you work full time but in a perfect scenario I’d love to work for myself only… could you share how you were able to transition?

[@annacarpenter3444]

Thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos and share the links to the products you use. You've been truly helpful! I guess people that don't like to make youtube videos are actually the best at it :)

[@calafiacandleco]

Thank you very much!

[@nowexistparty]

main takeaway....find something you enjoy doing

[@MackieJackCreations]

Thanks for the great tips!

[@LuisLopez-br3cb]

currently in testing stage , completely agree but thanks to youtube , you and a search bar it’s going by quick. also not patient 😑

[@LuisLopez-br3cb]

but i’m making sure i test every aspect

[@calafiacandleco]

Aw I'm glad to be of help! Best of luck to you and thank you for watching!

[@LuisLopez-br3cb]

and i really enjoy this

[@tzipporahbragg9798]

Can you make a video all about the pros and cons of making your own vessels instead of purchasing other vessels gor your candle business?

[@nickgarber413]

Great video, very helpful. I wanted to know how do you insert a wick or replace a wick when you are testing. Do you just heat gun it until it melts to put the new wick in?

[@calafiacandleco]

At least with the wax I use, I am able to just easily push the wick into the wax. To replace, I pull out the old wick, heat gun the top to make it even and smooth again, and then once it hardens I insert the new wick. I plan on making a video soon demonstrating wick-less testing.

[@fairlyplum]

So helpful, thank you

[@helgad6401]

thank you so much. helpful information!

[@lauriewilson4741]

I tried to make candles and no “one” candle had it “all” 😢 with a full time job -not enough time to dedicate to testing

[@calafiacandleco]

And that’s totally okay! Props to you for giving it a try. 🙌🏻

[@Drea12_.]

Can you do a video showing how it the candle burns in the cement jars

[@erlpen2016]

I want to get in the business of making the vessels only….I like calling them “vessels” sounds like “ships”….anyways I call them “pots”….cactus pots….as I was saying I would like to get in the business of making the little pots for my wife’s collection of succulents….thank you for sharing your talent….

[@calafiacandleco]

Thank you for watching! :) they make beautiful pots for succulents!

[@millicentrichardson7455]

Hello! Thank you so much for your videos. They are very informative. I do have a quick question. I was just curious about when you started making concrete jars. How many molds did you purchase at time for production? The cost of molds are so costly. I just ordered MakerShape 16oz. with the cost of one and shipping. It was a whopping $98 😩. But I love it. But to be more productive I know you need a lot.

[@calafiacandleco]

It took me a while to build up my mold collection! They are definitely an investment. I was buying 2 at a time, and working my way up from that.

[@kelle_li]

Hi, great video, lots of great info thank you. What's going on at 12:06 please?

[@calafiacandleco]

Thanks for watching! I like to put little silicone bumpers on the bottom of the jars so they don’t scratch any surfaces.

[@kelle_li]

Thanks for the reply! Ah that makes sense, great idea. Where do you source them from? Thanks!@@calafiacandleco

[@calafiacandleco]

They are linked in my Amazon storefront :)@@kelle_li

[@JonBrowning760]

You won't get as many air bubbles in your concrete if you add more water. I have the same molds and have not noticed any difference in strength with a wet mix. The Cement All has a grip of acrylic in it which is what allows the fast cure as well as prevents cracking.

[@calafiacandleco]

Hmm interesting. Thanks for your input!

[@colleenbuford2964]

Thanks for this video! Speaking of starting out, I get conflicting information about how hot a cement vessel should get while the candle is lit. Would you happen to know the correct temperature it shouldn’t go beyond? And a big happy one year anniversary!!!!

[@calafiacandleco]

Legally, according to the ASTM your jar temperature should not exceed 175*. I try to keep mine around 140-150.

[@colleenbuford2964]

@@calafiacandleco … heard for retail sales they had to be under 150 and unfortunately my candle, first one ever in a concrete vessel that I made 😃, Got up to 158 when it reached the middle. Other than that, it was a perfect melt pool and scent throw. I’ve got more tester candles and have wicked down on some so hopefully I can get it under 150. Thank you so much ….. and I just love your videos!!!!!! ❤️

[@nancywear9791]

I love your videos they are very calming. Can I ask you do you make your own warning labels and what do you put on them?

[@calafiacandleco]

Thank you so much! I do make them myself on canva. I put all of the basic requirements (warning section, burning instructions, manufacturing name and location), and I add my facebook/instagram handle at the very bottom.

[@nancywear9791]

@@calafiacandleco That is awesome. They look fantastic and I really love your label's on the front of your candle but I am having trouble knowing what label that is. I have really nice vessels and don't want a large label to cover it up.

[@calafiacandleco]

@@nancywear9791 Totally understandable! The stick-on labels I previously was using were 2.5" x 1.25". The hang tags I made for these new colored jars are 2" x 1.33". I didn't show the hang tags in this video, but you can head over to website to see what they look.

[@nicolettaleclerc1256]

hi, thanks for your great videos. I would like to know how long it took you between the first candles made and your first sales. THANKS

[@calafiacandleco]

Hi Nicoletta, I was in the testing phase for about 7 months before I started selling.

[@nicolettaleclerc1256]

@@calafiacandleco Thanks a lot

[@denisewhitehead7480]

Can you explain how to add the wick for wickless testing? Thanks Bree

[@calafiacandleco]

Hi Denise, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I literally just push the wick down. Some people like to poke a hole first with a skewer, but I don’t find that necessary. I will work on a wick-less testing video soon!

[@ServeElohim]

How do you get your “swirl” to be so swirly? Mine seem to look more like blotches. I use acrylic paint, I’m assuming that’s still what you use? I just squirt a little in there and give a small stir with a paint stick..

[@calafiacandleco]

I will be filming a video soon on this! I actually mix up my colored cement-all, and a separate bowl of cement-all with a little titanium dioxide, and then pour both mixtures into the mold at the same time. They just melt into that swirly pattern.

[@ServeElohim]

Ahhh your so smart! Thank you for responding. I do have titanium dioxide so I’m gunna give that a try!

[@noctilucent7396]

Can I get insurance for candle making as a sole proprietor?

[@calafiacandleco]

Definitely!

[@christinetroccard8655]

hello what type of tulip mold do you use

[@karola410]

hi there. i have a question. :) do you use cement only for your candle jars or mix it with bit of sand? thank you for all your videos. they are very helpfull. regards from sunny england. ❤️

[@calafiacandleco]

Hello! I use cement-all which is premixed cement + sand. Thanks for watching!

[@jennysharpe3050]

Where do you buy those candle 'feet' dot stickers please?

[@calafiacandleco]

Hi they are linked in the description

[@lourdesarriola5813]

Where can i find The pads corks?

[@calafiacandleco]

Are you referring to the silicone bumpers on the bottom of the jars? I have them linked in my amazon storefront.

[@solangefernandes9936]

How long did you test for before launching?

[@calafiacandleco]

It took me 7 months to launch

[@solangefernandes9936]

@@calafiacandleco thank you for answering. I have another question. What does adding sp 487 wax do to the coconut 83 wax apart from hardening it? Does it help it burn slower?

[@reallyhorribleenterprises]

Entrepreneur: someone who is willing to give up a secure 8-hour-per-day job to work a 24/7 insecure one.

[@calafiacandleco]

So true!

[@lauriewilson4741]

🙋‍♀️