I Keep Running Into the Same Issues | Vlog Small Candle Business Owner

Sometimes it takes a couple times (seeing a pattern) in order to recognize something is wrong. I definitely need to get better at organizing my money for my small business and making sure I am working within a budget-- I think that is still the most difficult thing for me.
L E T ' S C O N N E C T
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website www.milkycandlecompany.com
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O T H E R V I D E O S
Launch a New Collection With Me: bit.ly/46vfhi2
EASY DIY Dust Covers: bit.ly/3R9chU6
Small Candle Business Must-Haves 2023: bit.ly/44OjrRr
A B O U T M E
I'm Lacie and I am a Black + Queer entrepreneur juggling my small candle business, KZbin, social media, + everything in between. I make videos about life in my 30s + I enjoy creating content that others can learn from and relate to.
D I S C L A I M E R
This video is not sponsored.

[@deezonyxde77]

☕ I'm in the same situation. My money goes right back into candle supplies ??!! Like .....where is my return??. Thanks for another great video ☕.

[@laciej]

It’s honestly so difficult to be EVERYTHING for your business and get it right every time. If I’m not outsourcing, mistakes are definitely going to be made and that’s okay. I keep an excel spreadsheet to track my expenses/income and I compare it to my bank statements at the end of every month to see how I do. I also have to remember that my business is still in beginning stages and likely will be for the next few years!

[@brownie072]

I think putting the candle care card with the dust cover makes sense! It'll be the first thing they see. I know most people disregard them but they're still necessary. Especially for those who wonder why their candles aren't burning properly or are having issues.- being able to refer them to it so they don't say its defective is useful.

[@user-wy8pj6ti7s]

I don't understand why you need lids. Especially since you have to order them separately and pay MORE shipping. Place the dust covers on top to keep the covered and ditch the lids

[@amyprofitspecialist]

Hey Lacie, it's so good to see you back on your channel! You're doing an amazing job with your candle business. I totally get that juggling finances can be a bit tricky, especially with those shipping costs. Don't worry; you've got this! QuickBooks will definitely be a helpful addition. I'm excited to see your new vessels and glass candles in action. Keep up the great work and stay positive!

[@chillbabecandleco]

Uline shipping is WILD. I would gladly wait a few more days to get my supplies if it meant not paying so much. They need more options. I also hate how they sell biodegradable packing peanuts, but they don't use them in their own packaging!

[@crystinapierce6833]

Don’t get rid of your candle care cards! Even if no one reads them, they’re more for liability if anything happens.

[@laciej]

I still have warning labels though for legal reasons! And the info on the candle care card could be on the dust cover- that was my train of thought ☺️

[@monicadatcu4718]

Hi Lacie, you can try cutting the circle using a metal die and die cutting machine... or a Scan & Cut machine... I think Brother does one... and you can print your dust covers and then scan them in the machine and then you can set the offset of the cutting... Thank you or this video!

[@enlightentheoccasion]

I compared (just this past week actually) -- uline, Amazon, filmore container, and burch bottle for the 8 oz straight sided. Burch bottle was the cheapest by far and their shipping is from NY to me in WA which is crazy. So I now will be using burch bottle 😂😊

[@kerrygearin3910]

💎😀❤️🎨Generous content as is your usual Lacie. Love to see a candle care instruction right on top of the candle. Very high level professional and messaging you care, which is true.

[@laciej]

I think I’ll consider it moving forward! To get rid of the candle care cards.

[@candikirk75]

Good to know I wasn’t the only person a little confused with the measurement markings on that Fiskars cutter😂

[@Loecandles]

I agree with you that shipping is sky rocket high. Just got off the phone with Uline, and I asked them why is so expensive.

[@lifewithamberb]

Also do xero not quickbooks. I’m a bookkeeper for small businesses as my day job and it’s WAY better and a fraction of the cost. Feel free to reach out if you want to talk it through. ❤

[@lunacrystalcandleco]

I hear you girl, uline shipping is high!

[@lifewithamberb]

Those shipping costs should be factored into your candle costs.

[@laciej]

The customer pays for shipping. But when I get a pay out it’s not separated, so all the money hits my account at the same time and I pay my Shopify bill when it’s due. It’s really just a matter of me organizing it better

[@lifewithamberb]

@@laciej no i mean your freight costs for your supplies

[@laciej]

@@lifewithamberb ohh that makes more sense! I’ve been told by some that it should be calculated separately as it’s not technically a “raw material” cost and fits within its own category, especially since shipping charges range depending on how much you purchase. In the past, I’ve done it the way you’re describing because it made more sense to me.

[@lifewithamberb]

@@laciejyou buying your raw materials and having them shipped to you is part of your cost of goods sold. You mailing things to others after you produce the item is an expense.

[@laciej]

@@lifewithamberb ahh that’s so helpful, thank you!

[@nicolesakowicz2949]

If dust covers are going to be a staple in your business have you thought about a cricut maker? It seems your dust covers are a bit time consuming. It probably isn’t an extra expense that you want for your business at this point.

[@SMELLTHISCANDLE]

Have you considered not doing dust covers since you box your candles? The box should keep the dust out. Or do you just like the look of them as part of the presentation? And YES, the money seems to go out faster than you can make it. Ugh! Especially when you are trying to grow your business, because you constantly have to reinvest and if feels like your bank account has a leak in it. LOL! I feel your pain with that one for sure!

[@laciej]

I have! But since our crinkle paper is so dusty, and since we don’t want the paper we wrap with to scratch up the wax, I’ve decided to keep the dust covers for now. Um yes why is my bank account LEAKING??? 😭😭😭

[@yas7762]

Have u thought about investing in a cutting machine like a cricut or silhouette? That would save you alot of time

[@KAROLYNN007]

i had the same idea. a cricut would definitely save her some time.

[@lifewithamberb]

Yes a Cricut joy would be perfect for this!

[@laciej]

It totally would! It just feels easier to spend $20 than however much a cricut costs. I’ve considered sitting down and doing the math- what seems best: investing in a cricut or investing in someone to make the dust covers for me haha. Bc at some point time is definitely a factor!

[@yas7762]

@laciej i completely get that but it would still be a deductable business cost and good to have even if you do let someone else do it, u know for those last minute 'oops i forgot to order them in time' moment😅 Also keep in mind that the taxes u pay is on the profit, so that would be revenue minus all business costs (shipping, supplies etc), so if u are up to date with ur bookkeeping u shouldnt have to feel like u don't have any money left as long as u have priced ur products high enough to cover it all. So definitely worth investing in an accounting software as long as u actually are up to date or let someone else do that for sure. U probably already know all of this but wanted to share just in case u didnt. I just recently found ur channel 😊

[@lifewithamberb]

@@laciej the cricut joy is 120ish depending on the time of year you buy it. i would totally wait for black friday because it sometimes comes down to $100. Silhouette might be a viable option and they also have crazy good bf deals.

[@debbieb3711]

Invest in a cricut. Roughly $200. And versatile 13:10

[@hilaryquinn8673]

What size are those glass jars? They look nice.

[@Bornawesomejay]

Another great video. Thank you. To save you time and money, since your beautiful candles are going in a box, is a dust cover necessary? Just a thought…

[@laciej]

Thank you! Since the crinkle paper we use is pretty dusty (and since we still don’t want the corners of the paper we wrap with penetrating the wax), we thought it was best to have dust covers!

[@Bornawesomejay]

@@laciej gotcha 💕

[@owleyes71]

I live VERY close to a uline warehouse where my items are being shipped from and a $37 order costs $20 to be shipped. I emailed and asked about in person pick up because why the hell would I pay to ship if I can just pick it up. They told me their Customer Pickup is closed. It's dumb lol.

[@letters-ux2un]

There's a lot of literature on how to Legally not pay taxes . 40% steep. I have a Charity, Just in case.

[@CandlemanOMK]

Did you check any other candle sites for your glass vessels to see if they had them

[@laciej]

Yup! One website was double the cost, but I found them off uline!

[@cassie1728]

@@laciej I live all the way in South Dakota & had luck with Lone Star Candle company. Wayyyy cheaper overall. They seem to have a deal with fed ex. You’re closer to Texas than me I think. Try them. 😊 As I was shopping around I noticed the lower the cost per case the higher the shipping for most places. I paid a lot more per case but somehow still saved $40 overall compared to everyone else I shopped. 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@heatherburrell8412]

Are you not calculating TRUE cost of good sold …….YEs Yes Yes …. Any accounting software to track or you are really really good at spread sheet…… price at a minimum…double cost of good sold x2 for wholesale……. Per unit cost of good sold x 4 for retail….. you are under pricing yourself