Before You Sell Your First Candle, Do These 5 Things

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DISCLAIMER: Everything shared in my videos is my own personal experience and is for educational and informational purposes only. If you are wanting to start a business, always seek legal guidance from a local business attorney and certified public accountant to make sure that you are running your business legally. Everyone is responsible for their own product testing and business structure and I will not be held accountable.
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[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

⮕ JOIN THE WAITLIST FOR MY UPCOMING SHIPPING COURSE: www.ericamariemorris.com/waitlist ⮕ DOWNLOAD MY FREE CANDLE BUSINESS CHECKLIST: www.ericamariemorris.com/checklist

[@OutsideTheBoxMelts]

Hi love your videos. You have mentioned Jeff has a video of different insurances. Who is Jeff and what is his channel?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

@@OutsideTheBoxMelts Jeff Standley from Standley handcrafted :) Here is his video on business insurance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pITTiqisp8plsLM

[@OutsideTheBoxMelts]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo thank you!

[@archon5951]

Lady is serious. Lol! A course on how to ship a package? If people can’t figure out how to ship a package on their own , they probably shouldn’t be starting a business.

[@thedoubleboiler6971]

Just an addition here. If you are a legally filed LLC, send a message to your wholesalers requesting tax exemption. Three reasons, one, it will save you money, two, starting a business and filing your trademark and LLC are NOT CHEAP. This can be a huge help to recoup those costs. Three, you are not the final stop, so you should not pay that tax. That tax gets forwarded to the final customer and you should not be double taxed on your products.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

What a great addition!! I knew I wanted to make a part two or three of this video because there's sooo much I could say, but thank you for adding this as I'm sure it will help a lot of people :)

[@thedoubleboiler6971]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo No problem. Happy to help! The shop is growing by the way.. I'm working the website as we speak. It'll be a step forward from the backpack 🎒. My Wax is hard to come by now! I've been forced to move from 444 to 464... A little nervous about it, but we'll see what happens. First video coming soon 🔜 as well. ☺️👍👌

[@madamdiva43]

😂😂 I love the analogy u presented bcse it was the MOST CLEAR THOUGHT process ever!! If it’s good it’s good 😂😂😂

[@michelemorine5725]

Lots of good recommendations that im sure alot of people starting out dont think of. Thank you

[@stevenmendenhall9109]

Drug dealers analogy 😂😂 Love your content as you add in light hearted humor to it from time to time!

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

😂❤️

[@christinemikulanec5188]

Hey Erica love your videos! I’ve learned so much from watching your videos. I can’t thank you enough for sharing your knowledge☺️

[@AsiaraeAmaral]

Erica I love you content, your amazing and give the best advice

[@moniquespence3666]

Thanks for sharing your experiences! So helpful. ❤

[@diybymari]

Great info! Thank you. ❤

[@CamettScents]

Thanks for shared!

[@sylvaingouletmeditation1687]

Thanks a lot Erica for reaching out to me via e-mail. I love what you do and you are one of my mentor in the candle business, the other one is black tie barn. Thank you sooo much for your advice. May you you have the most wonderful year of your lire. Namaste.

[@AA-kf6km]

Thank you ❤️ ❤️

[@kristinawoodward9524]

Best analogy ever! 😂

[@alisoncrawford1181]

Great tip on test postage/shipping.

[@sadiaafreen3785]

Hey Erica, thanks for being soo amazing and sharing your learings with us. As a fresher to candle making I do look up to and your videos have truly been a guide to and made things simpler to understand and learn. I really appreciate all the effort that you put in creating and delivering us with all the info. it would be great if you help me and other people like me who are struggling with market strategy by guiding us on how we should approach it and make a video about how to market/ strategies for our candle business. -Love Sadia Afreen , INDIA

[@angel_arabella]

Thank you for this info. My family and friends keep asking for samples and I really need to give to them to test especially since I’m constantly smelling and critique9ng myself. I’m sure their observations will be helpful.

[@madisonmommy7872]

I love your videos so much in actually getting ready to start my candle business and you are giving me so much information and you give me so much hope ❤️

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Aw thank you so much! So glad my videos are helpful! ☺️

[@pottymouthedplanter]

Thank you so much

[@MyNameIsTlo9]

Very helpful

[@tamarrasavage2620]

Haha but i understood what you are saying! It is try, i use my sister the most for testing and she has been helpful

[@ceciliacarrington7230]

Thank you! I enjoyed your video!!😄

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

I'm so glad!! ☺

[@Alicecatsgottanap]

I love the analogy you used. Funny! And I can't wait until your courses come out. I'm already on the list.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Lol, it just was the most accurate example I could think of 😅 And aw thank you so much!! So glad you're excited! ☺

[@aliciaaltom6652]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo curious about courses if and when you get it going. Never made a candle but studying from you and two other youtubers. Soaking up all the info i can get my hands on before even buying product

[@Yourseniorlivingfamilyadvocate]

Great video! Thanks!

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Thank you!

[@andrademeza]

I'm about to make my first candles today, I bought some supplies from calcandle supply and all my candle making equipment I managed to get free off amazon through vine, including the wax Melter with a spout. Also got free wicks and wick stickers but they seem kinda cheapy... i can also get free wax and bee's wax but idk if i should bother, might be cheapy too.

[@SC-dz5ze]

Thank you Erica! Where do you draw the line on aesthetics? For example, if you’ve poured a batch of candles with ingredients and amounts that you usually use and expect them to smell and perform well, but they set with curdled looking tops or bubbles or are sweating or crystallizing, or cracking, do you decide not to sell those because they don’t have perfectly smooth tops? Assuming of course that you’ve already taken a heat gun to the tops to try and remedy them.

[@spiritualwingsllc7538]

I always test my candles first to see if it burn right and I get a lot of people just like the way they look. An I get feed back from them about if wicks burn correctly. Because I like make stand behind my work. Right now replaces it.

[@spyscy]

The drug dealer reference 🤣🤣 you’re so right though, I’ve been making a ton of random candles to give to people as birthday presents, thank you gifts, congratulation gifts, etc! Gotta walk before you run! The honest feedback has definitely been helpful.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

😂 It’s definitely helpful!! It honestly was one of the main reasons why I continued! One of my really good friends is super picky about candles and she told me she was surprised at home much she liked them! So I was like okay maybe I have something good here 😅

[@sincerelychristiancarter2150]

5 stars best analogy

[@Ri-zz1dh]

It sucks being Aussie because I can't get an LLC which seems like it's so much better than operating as the business yourself 😭 also so much information but due being in entirely different continents, it doesn't always help me out 😭😭. Still thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge 💙💙

[@MaryPaulCo]

Great analogy 10:18 😂😂

[@aundreaweekly8706]

How many times do you make / test a single fragrance candle before you feel comfortable selling? (Like once you finish the initial testing and you've found the formula you like... How many times do you remake to test before it's a winner for you)

[@rambantu4910]

Thanks for the info, really liked it. Hats off to the drug deal explanation 😂

[@JacquelineFalls54]

I watched ylour video and thought how awesome it was to have this layed out for me. Then I mentioned to a friend that I was going to start a candle making business just to make some extra money. She requested a candle. So I made her one and she liked it and wanted to buy three more. The money came in handy so I didn't want to say no to her. I am hoping she will not request anymore because honestly it was through watching a ton of vidoes that I got those candles right enough that she loved them. But I don't want to continue to operate like that because it seems a little backwards.

[@cbpapp]

Thank you Erica! I have the shipping label machine and I’m preparing to ship candles to my Sister, so I’m looking forward to her I’ve been giving away my candles to a good friend of mine and she is completely honest with me. Our company already has an LLC, but I’m not purchasing insurance until I’m about ready to launch. I know exactly who my customers are and can’t wait to launch and sell! Thank you for this video!❤️

[@butterflymuse2707]

If you haven't joined yet the handcrafted soap and cosmetics guild has discontinued insurance for makers :) that's who I go through for mine.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Sounds like you are doing everything you need to be doing! Great job ☺️

[@UrbanNomad]

Love the new intro slide

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Thank you!!

[@paulinecorlis9979]

Good day i am 60 and i am thinking of starting a candle or soap business i really learned a lot from your video. Thank you

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

I’m so glad you have been learning from my videos! Thank you for watching and good luck with your future business! :)

[@Desert_Embers]

I will say that I miss the days of lighting a candle and just enjoying it not having my makers hat on😂 but it’s so much more satisfying when you light your own candle and it’s preforming beautifully!

[@thewillowfoxcandleco]

Great video.In the UK its different fir licences etc x but insurance and clp labels still ndd x

[@thewillowfoxcandleco]

*for

[@yuliaanisakharova]

I was laughing out loud when you were telling about normal person enjoying candles vs candle maker😅🤣

[@therealunclep]

I'm wondering about testing. How long after I pour them do I need to wait until I start testing? I'm using a soy and coconut wax.

[@x_simvault8495]

Can you please make a video about all you need to start and make your first 100 sales? I really want to start my own business but I want to make sure I have everything ready to get started.

[@vrdubb0221]

Why do max welt warning labels mention to not use if there is 1/2 inch of wax left at the bottom. Depending on the size of the melter this may not apply, is it just a generic statement?

[@Rookiejournal_]

Thank you so much for this video Erica! I learnt a lot!! I am actually in the process of making samples to my friends so I can get feedback from them. As you mentioned in this video that they are normal people, they dont look at candles the way we (candle makers) do. I am thinking to make a questionnaire about the "findings" that I wanna get but I find it difficult to simplify the questions.. i dont want them to be overwhelmed by this 😅. What do you think are the most important type of questions? What did u ask them to find out if your candle is a good performing one or not? Thank you Erica, I hope my questions make sense 🥹😣

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

They definitely make sense! Honestly I would avoid questions like “hot throw or melt pool” those are candle maker terms and most normal people won’t know what you’re talking about 😄 I basically just ask, does the candle fill the room when it’s lit? What about when it’s not lit? (I have found many people say they don’t even need to light my candles, they just leave the lid off and it’s a strong CT) You can also ask what size room they are lighting it in, and how long on average they burn the candle for. You can also ask if they notice any excess soot/smoke or crazy flames ❤️

[@Rookiejournal_]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo i see.. thank you so much for your insights! It really reminds me again of why i love candles (as customer) and how I use it.. which is if I can smell and if I like the scent itself. Thank you again Erica! Thank you for being humble and sharing your knowledge and experience! This means a lot to me and im sure to many aspiring candle business owner ❤️

[@vrdubb0221]

Are there any good active forums dedicated to wax making?

[@rubynieves2668]

🤣. I had to watch it twice... but yeah the comparison to drugs was pretty hilarious. You made very solid points as far as planning. It's always nice to hear about your experiences- you're very humble.😊 I am curious also to hear how you're expanding shipping and ordering since you've scaled your business. Props to the marketing strategy shoutout! I would love to hear more about that. How did you scale your marketing? Hope you're feeling fantastic Erica! Hugs and well wishes! #teamErica 🥳🎈🎉

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Hi Ruby!! So right now I am focused on two avenues to scale my marketing: diving into the real estate/corporate gift giving space (I am creating sample bags for these right now and hopefully will be dropping them off at businesses later this week!) And the other one is I’m working on growing my email list and really take on email marketing. Email marketing is so powerful and it’s definitely something I’m working on growing! ☺️

[@rubynieves2668]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Hi Erica, That sounds amazing! I live in an area that is saturated with real estate agents and brokers - so maybe its a good avenue to pursue locally. I agree b to b clients can make great long term relationships and referrals. From what I understand about the field of real estate agent , marketing tools are vital. Maybe offering a custom label for their business would peak their interest? I'm in Massachusetts and the businesses world here is still pretty conservative so, thank you notes/ stationary are still done ( though I hate wasting paper). (I'm sure you already know that its a good idea.💡 ) I would encourage you though to be persistent with the businesses even if you get a couple no's , still follow up with a thank card and offer your services again in a few weeks later. 🤗 Many businesses will ignore or even test you to see if you're dedicated- but might say yes to a specific need later on. Its sounds trippy and odd, but thats just been my experience... I'm a little weird too. Thanks so much for responding- I know you're busy. Reach out anytime. #teamErica 💯 🥳🎈🎉

[@Windows-95]

I feel stalked. I -just- opened my shop today. HOW DID YOU KNOW ERICA?

[@Artistsculptor1776]

Hi Do you have an testing suggestions for those of us that don't have friends and family to test on? Are there paid testers for new products?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Hmmm this is an interesting question. I wonder if there’s a FB group for this somehow? Maybe you could join a small business group or small handmade business group and see if you can do a “swap” with someone else to test their product and they test yours or something. Ideally you would want to find someone who is not another candle maker so you can get honest feedback. Sorry I don’t have better advice but that’s the first thing I thought of :)

[@frankiepruitt713]

I look at them also

[@gloojaam6756]

Hi, Can you tell how many candles do you sell in a day?? ? if you don’t mind it I just wanna know haw much money can you get in a day

[@shannonmac7801]

Question: once you have a successful (and safe) candle, do you continue testing?? I've seen where some are saying they make 100 candles before selling. 🤔 Thank you for your videos. 😀

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

It’s always good to continue testing, but not in the same way. If you change up any variable, test it. Or if you get a new shipment of wax in, test it. But sometimes I’ll just grab a candle off my shelf and light it in the kitchen and check on it every so often to make sure there’s no red flags standing out haha

[@luxeblendcandleco]

What size vessels did you start testing with?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

9 oz straight sided jars!

[@keepingitrealwithyou06]

Omggg the drug dealer analogy 🤣😂🤣😭😂😂😭😂😭😭😂😂😭😭😭🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jessicahoeger6021]

At what point do get an LLC? I’m looking into trying to start a small little side hustle possibly a business but I don’t want to end up sued or in trouble? Do you have to have an LLC to put your own made up label on something?

[@mistywoodward4907]

That’s what I’m trying to figure out

[@glbarc]

WHICH SOY WAX DO YOU RECOMMEND TO USE? THAT IS NOT LEFT WITH IMPERFECTIONS? tHANKS

[@loisquaye-nola_baby3724]

Please which brand of candle is appropriate to use.

[@aliciaaltom6652]

Well if youre making your own then YOUR brand. All candles differ from size, color, scent, wax, wick, jar, quality. Probably even more im unaware of. It just depends on what youre looking for. Do you want affordable? Or luxury? Small? Large? Unscented? There's alot that goes into it. I would do more studying if I were you.

[@miriamslittleworld9139]

The drug dealer part was funny but a great example lol. I'm learning a lot from you

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Thank you, lol! I'm so glad :)

[@c0cochan3l29]

Overtly helpful

[@chezter03]

"...is this a good performing candle or not? That's not how normal people think!..." LOL. Are you saying I am not a normal person? HAHAHAHAHA Love it!

[@chezter03]

drug dealers... i sometimes think about that. my candles are drugs that people gets addicted to!!! HAHAHAHA! This is probably the funniest of all your videos! HAHAHAHA

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

😂😅😂

[@cacherobinson8498]

I would love to start a candle business but it just seems so overwhelming. I don't know where to start. Any advice?

[@aliciaaltom6652]

Same. I want to but am so scared!

[@TiannaDominique]

Question, so in the beginning when you were giving out your candles were you using your actual vessels that you’ll sell or what because I’m starting off with the 16/17 concrete candles and I’m wondering should I not start off with those I’m so confused. Can you please help me?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

So it’s always best to get feedback on the exact product you will be selling. In the beginning I started off using different jars, and gave some of those away. But then I switched to the actual product I was going to be selling on my Etsy shop, and gave some of those away because it’s best to get feedback on the product you will be selling

[@TiannaDominique]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo ahhh perfect. I get what you’re saying. So when you starting off using different jars where they for beginners and did you use the scents you were going to use to begin with? Also when you bought out your more expensive jar, how many did you think you gave away than? If that makes sense.

[@TiannaDominique]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Also, when you started off with your less expensive jars did you sell them also or just gave them away and also did you get a bunch of less expensive jars or just a case or two? I’m just trying to figure out should I buy a less expensive jars to give away first and only give away a few of my more expensive jars (that I’ll be actually selling) to a few people for testing purposes only (like asking them questions about the “more expensive jars”)?

[@TiannaDominique]

Also, if you don’t mind can you tell me which jars did you start off with “the less expensive one” so that I can just buy a case of those to just give away?

[@TiannaDominique]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo I’m so sorry for steady you questions but one more thing… If I buy the “less expensive vessels” just to send out should I go with the same size and color I’m already going to be using to sell or can I use a smaller size vessel and color? For example, my vessels will be able to hold 10oz and they are concrete matte black, can I get a vessel that’s only 2.5oz that’s clear and/or black glass to solely giveaway to friends and family? And the ones I’ll actually be selling “the more expensive ones” I only give to like 2-5ppl that I know will give me good feedback?

[@SharlemNina]

Lmao ! the comparison ! Do you know if you’re an INFP personality because that is deff something I would have said 😂

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

I'm an INFJ 😆💕

[@SharlemNina]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo close enough ! 😂

[@aliciaaltom6652]

Im INF J/P cusp of both!! We are a special breed for sure lol

[@shunwilliams6180]

❤❤❤

[@kathypelot2187]

What kind of wax do you use?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Soy 10

[@louierockefeller9371]

When I call the insurance place, what do I say when they ask me how much money I will make? How do I figure that out

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Just give an estimate! You can always update it at any time I believe :)

[@jkccandleco3686]

So every time someone orders from my Etsy shop I am always paying for $7.00 shipping label

[@RededicateYrLife]

Im not looking to blow up in my candle business it's more like fun little sales nothing crazy

[@paulross2979]

The samples you send with your orders are give aways. It's small and hopefully they will buy that in the future..

[@diane104]

Question. Where can I buy snowy peach berry oil for my candles ? I saw the oil on Etsy a while ago.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

I’ve never heard of that scent before but I typed “snowy peach berry fragrance oil” into Google and found this: scentedexpressionssupplies.com/products/Snowy-Peach-Berry-BBW-TYPE-Fragrance-Oil-p470617272 ❤️

[@darlenewill7978]

What about setting your business up for taxes?

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Yes you absolutely need to do that too! I could definitely make a part two to this video 😅

[@darlenewill7978]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo I just had that revelation right before I seen your video. Thank you for videos!

[@paigeyearta2474]

I've given some products away.

[@Variationsofnani]

Miss maa'm did you just use "drug dealers" for your analogy..lol love your content as always. Thank you for your continuous tips.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

I did I didddd 🤭😂 Thank you so much for watching! 😄❤️

[@sophiewallace8662]

I bought a candle from the dollar store and it exploded!

[@user-to4ju6xd1m]

love the drug dealer analogy 😂

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

😂

[@nudiebarsoapco916]

I want the crappy drugs dammit!!! Lol Thanks for a great video Erica!

[@dianariggs8604]

I called Liberty Mutual and he told they don't havecthat type of insurance.

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

Did you call liberty mutual directly? I found that liberty mutual doesn’t handle the business insurance side, you have to use their website to find a local broker who can set you up with a policy

[@dianariggs8604]

@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Yes, spoke with an agent. I'll try again. Thank you

[@kristenelizabeth4922]

I disagree. I wouldn't want to invest money into insurance, etc. before the knowing the candles will sell. I would rather invest as the business grows.

[@user-lo9is9yg4p]

lololololol Drug Dealer so funny I love natural people

[@MemoryBoxCandleCo]

😅

[@zainat2432]

Why would you need Buisiness insurance if your selling 1 candle???!!!!!!!!!!!

[@aliciaaltom6652]

I would think nearly EVERY business has insurance for safety and liability reasons. There's always a karen looking to sue so its best to cover your own ass so they cant. If you make a faulty candle that catches someones house on fire that is a fat ass lawsuit

[@BeautyyEmpire]

Hey Erica! I’m hoping I can send you a candle and receive feedback from you both negative and positive . I’ll be willing to send it to your PO Box if possible …

[@archon5951]

Hahah lady said fall collection, like she creating something to last lol. So I’m going to buy your fall collection and what? Not light it cause I want people to see it and be like oh wow nice candle and then I get to spend 20 mins explaining to someone that somebody else, no one knows from KZbin caught a sucker I mean a customer for a high priced, potentially fire hazard, air freshener. Rather buy and smell some chronic. Lmk when you have the dif strains of weed scented candles or weed infused candles. Candles I can light and get high off of. Now THATS A IDEA worth making a video about.