START UP COSTS: How much does it cost to start a candle business?

My name is Jeff Standley and I teach people how to make candles and create a business around them. Thank you again for watching. If you have anything you would like to see please message me.
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[e-mail]
standleyhandcrafted
standleyhandcrafted
Website: www.standleyhandcrafted.com
Resources:
www.ambrosinacandlevesselco.com/
midwestfragranceco.com/
www.candlescience.com
www.lonestarcandlesupply.com
woodenwick.com/
www.sixteenseventeen.com
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Check out and subscribe to my other channel for more behind the scenes, tech, and more. kzbin.info/door/PvQz9oiTu_Px9FXMkLJ_lw

[@xxmarsii_diiicexx5141]

I spent 371$ total for everything between candlescience and Amazon ..... bout to quit my 9-5 in two weeks and step out on faith. I think they’re in Keller TX which is about 1 hour to 1.5 hours from me in Rowlett.

[@aquarianlove3429]

Wishing you success!

[@ashantirobinson7692]

I pray you are doing well throughout this storm.

[@momof4kings642]

🍾👏🏽🎈🎉 Congratulations!

[@Immerszz]

i wish you all the best, if i was you i would work and make candles before you quit fully starting off is trial and error, up to you good luck

[@vanessacortes9919]

Wishing you lots of success!

[@natsimms2376]

Stanley … I have leap of faith this is what I want to do not only for monetary reasons , my pleasure 😇 is in making a difference to whom may come across my product be the scent / smell the relaxation of watching the ambiance from the light of the ❤candle and maker… I am a beginner determined to elevate in making a great candle

[@dang9269]

Really Appreciate you helping people get started.

[@MsMarketing01]

This video was exactly what I needed! I can not wait to get started with making my candles. Thank you for such a thorough video 🙏

[@Level-qp8sz]

Hi Jeff, this was SO helpful.! TY! Do keep more videos like this coming : )

[@fearless4371]

Thank you sir for your knowledge.👍

[@mamamarzz888]

Just decided I want to start making candles & eventually sell them. Been binge watching your videos! Love them & thank you for sharing so much helpful info with us!!

[@akebaballard4902]

Thank you for being so informative and direct you basically took all the guest work out of it.

[@ronettehoover]

thank you so much i have been following ur page for some time. and im starting my candle line jus gathering information

[@Wellgroomedhouston]

you are so easy to listen to and i appreciate your speed at explaining very pertanent info.Thank you.

[@warriorsgreatness6182]

Thank you for all you generous helps, wisdom, expertise, incredible helps for us serious wanna be candle makers. Very encouraging, very inspiring. Mucho Gracias

[@lisamcconnell9657]

This was very helpful. Thanks Jeff

[@warriorsgreatness6182]

Exceptional teaching training. You are inspirational, professional and well versed in your gifted crafting skills. Thanks so much for generously sharing your expertise. Mucho Gracias

[@Angela.Empressive]

thank you !!

[@justinmoore5707]

Thank you so much

[@blondieboss6701]

Thanks for sharing

[@SunflowerToshaDiys]

I love 6006 wax my favorite.

[@ericamarie4073]

I bought my first kit today from amazon. Right now Iam doing it as a hobby and Iam going to see where this takes me

[@vincentlandcandleco]

Wow excellent return in profit. I’ve been doing smaller batches and orders. Sounds like I need to just order large

[@simplyblessed_]

Thank you so much I don’t have a FB but I’m about to make one just to join ur group I need all the information I can get

[@ReginasCrazyLife]

This so far has been the best getting started video I have seen

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Thank you, I'm glad it helped. :)

[@josepharato5885]

Very nice

[@shaquannasellman6300]

Standley I cannot say thank you enough! You’re amazing and I love watching your videos. You’re just all around an amazing man. Always very informative and organized. Now lol you always talk about separating yourself from the other and making your candles unique with having a luxury style container, scent and etc. Can you do a video with soon with creating that luxurious candle with amazing CT & HT? Also, sharing some of the places that you’ve found to have luxury vessels and supplies? I appreciate your time and dedication. Thank you!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Absolutely. I’m sharing my journey on trying to find them. I’ll have a video soon. 🙂

[@MeetMeOnTheMoon]

Thanknyou

[@jenniferperdomo4548]

I spent 146 at candle science between oils , oil coloring ,2 different sets of 12 jars , lids , wicks not counting the starting kit from Amazon and other items . I'm Ready for Business! But I still need a scale lol

[@dmartinez1993]

How about an update on sales?

[@foodielicious2210]

have you started the business????

[@felisha407]

How’s your business going? Are you making monthly profit?

[@musicmatters1114]

I thought it looked very nice with the book case.

[@iammystrength]

Hi Jeff did you ever find a wick that worked best with the Lavana container? I never saw follow up video after those to you did

[@ritaslone2793]

Jeff can you do a video on marketing your own website please? I'm having issues with getting my candles sold on my website. My local customers buy them with no problem but I have invested in all these shipping supplies n not using them.

[@kabikis1994]

Did u try to pay people to market for you online?

[@LChea1216]

Hi Standley, You recommended the IGI 6006 Wax to start with. I have seen reviews that this wax is really good but pple have had alot of trouble with it causing alot of black soot. Please advise.

[@ethansloan3939]

what type of wood, and regular wick would you suggest for 464 soy in 8oz and 16oz jars,,,, made my first batch last week from the stuff my dad had over when he was making candles.

[@sammytak1]

Where do you get your vessels from and your fragrance oil‘s?

[@SunflowerToshaDiys]

Jeff will you do some videos on wickless candles. The safety and so forth.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Definitely!

[@barbr316]

I am new to candle making I’m gonna do it as a hobby until I learn the craft of candlemaking and eventually I will start a candle business, I’ve been watching lots of KZbin videos and I really enjoy your video how would you price the candles I know they come in different sizes, do you charge for the wax the color and fragrance that would go into a candle and the time it takes to make a candle so how would you charge?

[@mayriamrazack7349]

Hi jeff, great video's so helpful & knowledgeable! from London just starting making candles, have a real passion with making candles! suppliers here are not as good than in american, choice wise! But i know ordering from america would be very expensive in terms of shipping! As i'm just starting! Keep up the great videos.

[@kasupa14]

Hey, I know the struggle, but I've found suppliesforcandles.co.uk to be just as good! Their starter kits are some of the best I've seen, and I recommend them 10/10

[@mayriamrazack7349]

Hi, that's great to hear of your kit to start! Got my kit from cosy owl - very disappointed, hopefully they will send a replacement. Thanks for your recommendation. Good luck making candles.

[@kasupa14]

@@mayriamrazack7349 Good luck to you too, it can only get better now! 🤗

[@viviannarodriguez6808]

Hi, what would be a good beginner kit to buy off of Amazon?

[@larredante9503]

I am wanting to start making candles in order to start my own business. This video has been extremely helpful. Thank you

[@emptiedjar]

I will help you make and decorate the studio, virtually!

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

I’m going to need it 😁

[@a.w.4011]

Mr.Standley, I’d like to first of all thank you for sharing your vast wisdom on the subject of all things regarding candlemaking. This is the second video of yours that I’ve watched, I plan to subscribe and view your whole library on the subject. As a registered nurse who is looking to get out of the medical field ASAP, I appreciate all of the detail and insight you provide to prospective candlemakers. I wonder if you can advise me on all of the platforms you use to sell your candles, besides having a dedicated business website. Thank you so much

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Thank you so much! I sell on Instagram, facebook, Pinterest, my own website, and advertise on Tik Tok and KZbin.

[@a.w.4011]

@@StandleyHandcrafted Excellent!… , and thank you so much for the expedient response, take care.

[@TheEmillz1]

Standley across the back wall...

[@darrellwilson9103]

Do you have a video on how to make candle molds?

[@vanessa.rojas007]

I'm a visual learner, would you happened to provide your list where it can be printed or a screen shot of it. This would help me tremendously. Thank you.

[@priscilasant5337]

AAA is way less expensive. Even the oil fragrances are cheaper than other sites. I just got my package today 😻

[@tonijohnson5326]

I’m close to AAA so I plan on ordering from them and do some testing

[@rosemaryjackson7505]

I love your channel, i am a beginner candle maker, i do have to rewind a lot because you speak fast, lol but that's fine :)

[@BellaValentino1]

There’s an option where you can slow the video down. He does talk super fast lol

[@SoBiZZaRe10]

Excuse me, but did you take into consideration the materials used for packing? I supposed it is important as ppl won't come to knock at your door and you handle them the candles :)

[@detoxinglifepodcast]

Just ordered a start up from Amazon today. It was soy, so when you said those were a bit harder, dohh!. Lol. But, I'm starting, wasn't that expensive. I'm doing my salves, butters and balms now too. I'm doing an entire line. Again, I do fitness stuff, so I hope using that market will generate clients, in fact, I sold a few lip balms already. Thanks for the videos, I'll subscribe to your IG so you can know who I am. Butterzzz, hope your fitness journey is catching fire too, get it...lol?!

[@SoulanceGina]

You sound just like me 🙂

[@Bushrasvlog]

the problem is.... I can't find any store that sells candle making supplies in my country... the only option i have is to buy from american websites,, not all of them ship unfortunately and even if they did the shippping cost is so expensive

[@sammytak1]

Hey I’m looking to start making candles my wife and I just got a starter kit and we are going to make them this weekend to see how it goes. We are getting our son involved to. He is special needs and we think I will like it ..

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

That’s amazing good luck with the candle making!

[@sammytak1]

@@StandleyHandcrafted hello where do I look for the soy wax , the dies, and the jars? And the scents ?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

@@sammytak1 Check out Candle Science, Maple Street, Aztec, Natures Garden, Lone Star Candle

[@sammytak1]

@@StandleyHandcrafted great thank you I really appreciate your help ..

[@sammytak1]

@@StandleyHandcrafted for a first time candle maker what kind of soy wax number should I test at home and wick ? .. and should I start with like a 5 or 10 lb bag .. with like an 8 ounce jar.

[@lakeshia_SoapCo.1]

Thank you this a very informational video. What wick did you say are good for the 8oz. Jelly jars & the 60006 💕

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

In this video the HTP83 or 93 worked well.

[@lakeshia_SoapCo.1]

@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you

[@eveclark5502]

Hey there, I love your videos! I am just starting out,I want to make high end luxury candles. Could you give me suggestions for really great fragrance oils that have a high hot throw?

[@Raquelle7777]

Great question I would love the answer to this

[@teddydevedzhieva5574]

Hey I want to start my own candle business and this video helped me a lot with getting a clearer imagine in my head in how to do it but the probalem is that candlescience does not ship to europe... Does anyone have any recommodations on where to buy my supplies from? I'm from Bulgaria, East Europe

[@felicitekingne8810]

What about buying in EU ?? AAA ships only in Canada, US and Mexico. I cannot find a cheap alternative. Does anyone have an insight on the market over here 🤔?

[@nicolesandraperkins]

So far I've spent $263. I started with a candle making kit from Amazon. I've bought a few fragrance oils and GB 464 wax.

[@Jaqueen83]

I just purchased a kit on Amazon.

[@xxmarsii_diiicexx5141]

How did you get your website going ?

[@christinageller1649]

For what size candles for 16.00

[@Tiawest742]

Hi! I’m trying to find a good wick for my 8oz jelly jars for 6006. I just purchased HTP83 fro CS, I’m going to try CD8 today. All the ones I been trying so far has not worked. Which do you recommend? I will like to test an eco, cs recommend eco2 but I seen comments that’s to small. I have not been able to a strong ht at all

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

The HTP and CD work great. I would try adding 8% oil to the wax and see how they come out.

[@Tiawest742]

@@StandleyHandcrafted ok I’m going to try that! Thanks so much

[@lindascoufos6546]

What about insurance? And getting you LLC? Everything else is very informative but I feel like there are other hidden costs taking from the profit which is a little discouraging. But after the business takes off I'm hoping to see more profits making the insurance more affordable.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

This video was specifically covering the materials and getting started making them. Once you get to that point you would then want to look at LLC and insurance, as well as other costs. I mentioned this at the end of the video.

[@yvettebooth67]

Hello I am a inspired candle maker and i was thinking to use coco apricot creme wax because of the white and clean look i have researched. My question is would you think it is a good candle wax a beginner could start with? Thank you

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

It’s a great wax but you will need to do a little more testing with it for a good hot throw. It’s a really nice wax.

[@yvettebooth67]

@@StandleyHandcrafted when you say do more testing, do you mean to add more fo if necessary?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

@@yvettebooth67 You may have to test different wicks and also different oil percentages

[@yvettebooth67]

@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you I kind of figured that is what you. 😀

[@the_faithful_ot]

I am a college student and I'm thinking about starting a candle business. I was thinking of selling on etsy and maybe public vendor events. What insurance do I need and what licenses as well. I watched your insurance video and had a question. When getting candle insurance, once you get one policy is that the only one you need to be covered for everything? Also, can you explain in the comments what licenses I need to sell on etsy and vendors and the insurance that would best suit me being on a budget as a college student.

[@katianna7306]

Same I'm 19 and I'm a college student and want to make money

[@sarahdimarzio8523]

@@katianna7306 each state is different with insurances policy for small own business

[@jessicastauffer1183]

I’m really wanting to start a candle business! Once I perfect the candles and start selling them, how do you ship them? Do you pay for the shipping or do you charge the person buying them? I would think I would be losing profit if I had to pay for it??

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

For most products I pay for shipping.

[@sethseth9059]

On most online product order forms, there is a field for shipping and handling which means you charge for it in addition to any applicable tax. Get a shipping scale to weight your products and see what one, two, three candles would cost to ship. In the US you probably have to make an account with USPS so you can produce a shipping label. Then all you need is to box it and drop it off at a sorting hub. I'm sure there is a KZbin video on how this is done in the US.

[@shiivzn]

Im so confused on scents , do we make our own scent by mixing them or do we use the scents that are already made and just rename them

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

You can do either one you want. Most people just buy the bottle and use those. Some people rename and some don’t.

[@rastaricky9584]

Great video. But how about your labour costs? Is that factored in?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

You definitely want to factor in labor and that’s going to be different for everyone based on many factors like area and demographics among other things.

[@xorto121]

Hi Jeff, I'm from Germany and I got inspired by your candle making tuts and im thinking about to start a small business over here. I've a question about buying soywax and other stuff for candle making. I wanted to ask you maybe for an advice. Is it possible to get in touch with you? Greetings Hakan

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Absolutely. Please email me at [e-mail]

[@xorto121]

@@StandleyHandcrafted thanks for fast response. I'll definitely mail to you very soon.

[@xorto121]

Mail is sent. Thx in advance.

[@jaileneacevedo480]

I’ve tried your links and they are not working

[@halloweenheathen4394]

I don't know what supplier you are using but that shipping cost is absolutely insane. I would NEVER. I got twice the amount of supplies and paid $38 shipping.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

For wax and jars? How close are they to you?

[@the_radiant_patriot]

We need a new video to keep up with inflation.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Definitely

[@mariahen19]

So glad I came across your videos. I’m in the process of starting my own business. I am testing my candles now I hope to be able to start selling them by June.

[@kellyfurr9728]

Do you ever make different color candles?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Every once in a while I’ll make colors.

[@Claresholms]

American or Canadian costs? Where are you located?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

American, I’m in Washington state.

[@cindyguerrero3802]

Wait did I hear no more htp wicks. Omg what have they replaced it with

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

They’re redesigning them. They will have a new set soon p

[@patopatox8133]

Youre an Amazon Associate how do you earn money through them?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

You can sign up with them and the use a special link for products that if people click on them you get a percentage. It’s pretty small but can add up.

[@sideofrain875]

How can you sell candles at $30 to $30 when most candles at stores cost $9 or less?

[@ericamarie4073]

Iam new to this and my box came with soy wax

[@lr694]

Thanks for the info but can you slow down? You talk so fast and I don't know why so many youtube video speakers talk so loud. Calmly speaking is so much more enjoyable to listen to and skip the background music.

[@elenagisa1318]

Hope this will not sound mean but if your candle business is soo successful why are you selling workshops and other online stuff?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Since doing the KZbin channel and teaching people how to create their own candle business I have a lot of interest in people learning from me. Diversifying your income streams is always a smart thing to do.

[@elenagisa1318]

@@StandleyHandcrafted so if lets say you would have earned millions from selling candles, you would still have/use other smart "income streams"?

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

@@elenagisa1318 If I make a million dollars selling candles, then I’d be selling candles full time and I’d put that money into other investments. But, my candles, ebooks, pitcher stickers, classes, etc are all part of my brand and business at this point.

[@elenagisa1318]

@@StandleyHandcrafted got it, love for business :) ty for taking your time to replay, good luck :)

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

@@elenagisa1318 Absolutely, my pleasure. I love this stuff. 🙂

[@zebunker]

Way too high of costs. You are buying materials at retail cost. The only way to make this into a business if you buy at wholesale prices. The margins are too low.

[@Coconutluxenaturals]

Which is why I teach candle making, instead of making candles....

[@DeeDee-wo3cr]

Thats great. Do you have any videos or some platform where I can find your info?

[@Coconutluxenaturals]

@@DeeDee-wo3cr yes we do Live videos on our Facebook page.

[@MrKaebee]

slow down, you are talking way too fast

[@fahedo.m.jibrin878]

It was easier and practical to make your presentation combined with showing these raw materials & tools in front of you on the table, instead of talking too much and addressing your speech as who is telling a story. It is very difficult to follow up with you like this. the benefits are very small.

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Lol ok

[@ThePowerfulMach5]

fun hobby.. Terrible business...if you sell online you pay shipping cost, it you sell wholesale you loose your profit, you can walk into Target and buy a $10 candle - why would someone pay $16 ?. flee markets and craft shows you pay for a booth... When it's all said and done you wont make minimum wage for your efforts...(the suppliers win)

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

The profit margins are great on candles even with absorbed shipping costs. It all comes down to marketing and getting your candles out there. People pay all kinds of prices for candles that are not in target, people love hand made items. I’ve done markets where I made enough to cover costs for the booth and markets where I cleared $1000 in a day. Find the good markets and stick to those. Joint the Facebook group and talk to literally thousands who make a nice living from them.

[@cryptonutnut5481]

does not sound very profitable

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

It can be very profitable. You can create candles with a 50-60% profit margin.

[@Raquelle7777]

Fabulous content thankyou , is it ok to message you via email with a couple of questions

[@StandleyHandcrafted]

Absolutely. [e-mail]

[@Raquelle7777]

@@StandleyHandcrafted fantastic thankyou