The Hard Truth: Why So Many Candle Businesses Are Closing.

I want to address the topic of why so many candle business are failing or giving up, especially in 2023. No this isn't just a "lets sit around and blame the economy" video, (although it isn't great right now!) I think it's important to share this so you can see what doesn't work and avoid these same mistakes with your own business. Some of these tips will be especially helpful if you're just starting to set up your business and haven't launched yet, but also equally helpful for anyone who's already started and not sure why you aren't getting sales or you feel burnt out all the time etc.
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*Stuff I Use For My Business (Some links are affiliate links which help my channel and business grow at no extra cost to you!)*
Photo Surfaces For Product Photos:
Replica Surfaces: www.replicasurfaces.com/the19...
Use Code: "1994CANDLECO" at checkout for 15% off your purchase!
Digiboil 45lb+ Wax Melter: www.kegoutlet.com/wax-melter-...
Black Neoprene Jacket For Digiboil: www.kegoutlet.com/neoprene-ja...
ToAuto Wax Melter: amzn.to/4aaXSMP
Presto Pot Wax Melter: amzn.to/402Bscx
Shelf I Use To Hold My Presto Pot: amzn.to/40AtYNB
Matte Black Candle Tins: amzn.to/40xiV7W
Matte Black Candle Jars: calcandlesupply.com/13-5-oz-m...
Wax Melt Clamshells: amzn.to/3lCYSGq
Wax Pouring Pitcher: amzn.to/3JFyjsj
Matte Black Room Spray Bottles: www.premiumvials.com/4-oz-mat...
Digital Thermometer: amzn.to/40hmFuO
Piston Funnel I Use For More Precise Filling: amzn.to/40JDNsj
Glass beakers For Measuring Fragrance Oil: amzn.to/3JHNtgG
Glassine Bags For Wax Melt Samples: amzn.to/40c3C4N
Square Mold I Use To Make Wax Melt Samples: amzn.to/3LP92i0
Large Bottles for Pre-Mixing Fragrances: amzn.to/3LM9Q73
Glass Stirring Rods: amzn.to/40tP15b
Pipette Droppers: amzn.to/3lGX5jy
Funnel Pitchers For Making/Pouring Room Sprays: amzn.to/3FQpZot
Funnel Set For Pouring Room Sprays In Bottles: amzn.to/3K3f6Sy
Polymailer Bags I Use To Ship Wax Melts: amzn.to/3ZdLMgw
White Honeycomb Packing Paper: amzn.to/46iassy
Kraft Honeycomb Packing Paper: amzn.to/40vMWoS
Krinkle Paper: amzn.to/3PKs9Kg
Postcard Paper I Use To Print Candle Care And Thank You Cards: amzn.to/3LOJiSX
Packing Paper To Wrap Candles With: amzn.to/44SuzwX
Shipping Scale (Would not Recommend For Weighing Wax\Fragrance): amzn.to/3Zf6KLS
Rollo Thermal Shipping Label Printer (The One I Use): amzn.to/3ZeOSkk
Rollo Thermal Shipping Label Printer (Newer Wireless Version): amzn.to/3JIfJQj
Rollo Thermal Shipping Labels: amzn.to/3lzVexd
Rotating Pegboard For Holding Wax Melts (Holds About 120 Wax Melts): amzn.to/42CcIcG
Pegboard Hooks: amzn.to/40Aq6fx
Acrylic Sign Holders: amzn.to/3rRXEKm
Tent I Use For Events: amzn.to/44U5WzS
Foldable Wagon For Transporting Things During Markets\Events: amzn.to/3Kfs28h
Thank You Bags For Events: amzn.to/40d3MJc
Money Bags For Events: amzn.to/3K6g7ti
6 Foot Folding Tables: amzn.to/45c058U
6 Ft Fitted Tablecloths For Market/Event Setup: amzn.to/3ZdENnO
Where I print all my business cards/signage etc: www.vistaprint.com/
All The things I Use For Product Photos:
Hard Foam Photo Props: amzn.to/3rQmXwv
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Let's Hangout Between Videos!
Website: the1994candleco.com
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DISCLAIMER Always make sure to test your candles and never just use my (or any one else's) process without testing. Every wax, wick, and fragrance combo can and usually will change your entire candle! You MUST test before selling your own candles.
#the1994candleco #candlemaker #candlebusiness #smallcandlebusiness #learncandlemaking

[@reginawallace2687]

May God continue to bless you and elevate your business. Candle business and every business needs time and effort and a touch of God to grow. Everything takes time

[@the1994candleco]

So true! 🙌

[@luckysportQuick]

Yes. A lot are closing. Material cost are high and owners have to prioritize. Businesses that have been very successful are closing. And customers aren’t buying candles because of inflation they have to prioritize too.

[@the1994candleco]

Great point! I think that definitely has some reasoning behind it, but I also know lots of candle makers still getting plenty of sales and getting new customers etc so I think although yes that is an issue, I think there are definitely things we can do to adjust and make it so that we're not getting to a place where we feel like quitting. 😄

[@thatvietnamesecatholic]

It’s definitely a tough market, thanks for the encouragement! I appreciate the reminders to take time for rest, this really helps!

[@the1994candleco]

You are so welcome! Yeah, resting is always the one I struggle with the most. I can definitely be a workaholic sometimes. 😅 Thanks so much for watching and I'm glad it helped. 😀

[@anthonyrainbolt8362]

Great Insight, thank you. I am starting my first test batch this weekend. I was a bit concerned about how long it would take me to test candles and get sellable products. Glad to hear that the up to a year I expect it to take is not underestimated. Best Wishes

[@the1994candleco]

Yeah it definitely takes time! I will say one way that would have sped it up for me was to pick and stick with a singular jar that I would want to launch my business with. I kept switching jars etc every few weeks and it made the process soooo much harder. Thanks for watching! 😄

[@pottymouthedplanter]

Awww hey there! I'm a beginner by farrrrrrr lol. Thank you for this video. Super encouraging and full of wisdom nuggets. I love your whole vibe and now I want your candles!!!! lol

[@the1994candleco]

Thank you so much for watching!! 😄❤️ and thank you for saying that! That means so much! ❤️ I feel like I’ve found my people with KZbin! 😄❤️

[@brandylucas1783]

I love this video! Thank you so much for sharing everything! Seriously

[@the1994candleco]

Absolutely! I'm glad it helped! 😄

[@ammy1977]

I’m honestly scared to even start my candle business/idea in 2023. Stuff costs SO much (especially in Australia), and I am so over social media. I’ve done it for my previous online business and as a job in the past, and golly gee whiz am I sick of it. It’s also so difficult to get the support of any friends or family members 😢. I want to give up before I’ve even started. Sigh.

[@the1994candleco]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I definitely hear ya, stuff's expensive and it can be scary to make that jump. For me personally when I get scared or I feel like I want to quit etc I just ask myself "Is this scarier or worse or going to make me more upset than staying stuck in my current situation for the rest of my life?" And the answer to that (again for me) has always been no, it's scarier (for me) to stay exactly where I am and never make the jumps. I have always hated the idea of going to an office or another workplace and working for someone else the rest of my life. And when I got married that increased even more because I see how little time it allows me to spend with my wife every day and eventually our future children. Not only that but all our family lives in other states fairly far away so all of our "time off" is used to go see them and we never get to go on vacations or really even just have a day off "just because." Someone explained to me a long time ago that your "why" just has to be bigger than your "what?" aka whatever is stopping you, whatever is holding you back, whatever fear you have etc. Again this is just me personally. Some people love going to work somewhere else and having the security and safety net that a traditional job brings and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that either. it's just not something I personally have ever wanted for my life. I hope that makes sense and at least gets you thinking about where you go from here! ❤

[@emilystallings4629]

Love this, thanks for all the great thoughts. So much wisdom in this video! Two books I love - Essentialism and Effortless both by Greg McKeown. Sometimes it’s not about doing more, it’s about doing less and figuring out what’s the most important thing in your life that needs attention. ❤

[@the1994candleco]

I love that!! So true! I may have to check those books out cause they sound good! 😄 Thanks for the recommendation! And for watching!!! 😄❤️

[@alexakravcraftystudio]

I had a good run selling candles in 2021-2022. Sales have declined in 2023 and I decided to stop making candles all together :(

[@the1994candleco]

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. 2023 was a rough year for all small businesses. I think we all felt it.

[@suffolk.candles]

Love the video, exactly how I feel. Keep plugging away at your business eventually you'll get there, you don't know how close you are!

[@the1994candleco]

Thanks so much Jason!! 😄

[@the1994candleco]

Also just subscribed to your channel! Can't wait to watch some of your videos! :)

[@suffolk.candles]

Like wise, appreciate that :) My goal is similar to replace the full time job, I think people give up too soon! Focus on one thing and work out a plan so you can't fail. @@the1994candleco

[@ndclairveau]

I really appreciate your videos. I am contemplating starting a candle business here in Canada and you are an inspiration. Thank you trust that your episodes do help.

[@the1994candleco]

Thank you so much for sharing that friend!! ❤️❤️

[@ndclairveau]

@@the1994candleco You are most welcome. It’s the truth you help more than I think you even realize.

[@the1994candleco]

❤️❤️❤️

[@micheleeastmond9552]

Really appreciate your honest, candid discussion.

[@the1994candleco]

Anytime friend! 😄❤

[@enlightentheoccasion]

Great video!! ❤

[@the1994candleco]

Thank you!! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@Soulful_Spirit_Candle_Co]

This was by far one of my favorite videos, I found it to be more inspiring, especially for people that just want to give up before getting started, you made some very amazing points and gave great tips ! The making of a candle business is definitely not an overnight success, but what is and even if you don’t go full on board business and do it for a few extra bucks or hobby type of thing , the knowledge you acquire is so rewarding!! Thank you for this amazing video😊

[@the1994candleco]

Thank you so much friend! So glad you liked it! ❤️ And glad you found it encouraging! I always strive to head for that rather than another voice promoting all the things that “could go wrong.” I mean it’s obviously important to be realistic too but I think there’s a balance! ❤️

[@Soulful_Spirit_Candle_Co]

@@the1994candleco I agree 💯

[@the1994candleco]

@@Soulful_Spirit_Candle_Co ❤❤❤

[@AromataeCandlesandWax]

Interesting and relevant points raised here. I haven't launched yet (but plan to soon) and I know that my biggest challenge will be marketing, especially on social media. It's absolutely necessary, as you point out, but not so easy for introverts like me 🙄

[@the1994candleco]

Oh I am 100% an introvert (hence why I would rather film videos in a dark room alone, than stand and do talks or classes in front of people! lol!!!) Some of my best reels\tiktoks etc are ones that don't show my face! So don't feel like you have to ALWAYS show your face. Although it's definitely good to from time to time, and the more you do it the easier it gets! I would follow "mahacopyco" for tips on writing etc and "brock johnson" on some good social media growth tactics etc! and if you just type in "marketing in 2023" on instagram\youtube there's always tons of great info! :)

[@AromataeCandlesandWax]

@@the1994candleco thanks for the suggestions - I will check them out.

[@the1994candleco]

@@AromataeCandlesandWax anytime! 😀

[@gonzalez-valdez8043]

Very informative, thank you for your input. May O ask what type of insurance do you have for your candle business?

[@the1994candleco]

Thank you, glad I could help! I use Next Insurance! It’s $25-$26 a month I think!😄

[@user-no8ui8mz8p]

What do you use for labels for your vessels? Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information!! To share with all of us is selfless of you!

[@the1994candleco]

I use online labels and print them myself! My car jars are 2.5x3 I think and my tins are the 3in circle labels! 😄 Anytime!! Thanks for watching! ❤️

[@cetriyasArtnComicsChannel]

and hear I am starting on this journy. I'm not just selling candles but I know I'll have to work a lot on marketing and keeping to my nitch.

[@the1994candleco]

I hope it helped though so you kind of get a better idea of what to do once you do start selling them! It's definitely not meant to make you afraid of starting! People were quitting back when I was starting to and honestly 2021 was weirdly a GREAT time to start a candle business. (lots of people were still stuck at home and wanting their homes to smell good.) And people were giving up even back then. So it really is just about changing your mindset too. I think it's easy to see others talking about the economy and "everything's so bad right now etc" and it can really put you in a box of "no one has money right now to spend on candles, so they're not gonna buy mine." which is just not true at all. Sorry I could talk about this all day!! lol! All that to say, this is still a great time to get started! ❤

[@sallylawson4822]

How can start a email list, what are things I can do to get them to sign up

[@the1994candleco]

Hi Sally! I recommend Mailchimp! It’s free up to a certain amount of contacts/emails sent per month but I can’t remember how many. I talk about it a little bit more and give tips on how to get people to sign up etc in this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eImVXqelhNJrj5I But the best way I’ve had people sign up is just by telling them on Facebook and also making a little popup thing for it to popup on my website when people first go to it. Which can all be done through Mailchimp! 😄 Hope this helps!

[@archerfire7668]

If I didn’t post on my FB I’d have No Etsy sales. Opened an Etsy end of September and the sales I’ve made are all my FB friends. Sadly can’t reach star seller rating because cannot reach $300 a month but still hanging in there ❤

[@the1994candleco]

Yeah that's how it starts though! I started with only friends + family for the longest time! Markets really helped me find some new repeat customers who buy from me all the time now! But for most of the first year+ I was only getting sales from friends and family and occasionally a straggler here or there that so and so friend told them about me etc. But yeah it just takes time to build up that momentum! I'm cheering for you!!!❤

[@melenahoward]

Great video. I have a little hike business called Labyrinth of secrets. I make bath and body, face and body oils, mix yourself face masks, body butters, candles with crystals etc. my business did not do well. So many people make their own products. Shipping costs are astronomical. All my vessels and packaging are heavy glass, bamboo lids, very luxurious packaging which all is so expensive to ship. I simply cannot compete with bigger companies. I have thousands of dollars in inventory. I mainly make items now for myself. For donations. For gifting. It was fun trying for sure though :) Maybe again some day. Worlds of luck to you and your endeavors. I’d love to know how well your business does in the future.

[@the1994candleco]

I’m so sorry to hear it didn’t go well for you! Sounds like you have a lot of great products! If it’s something you want to do I hope you try again someday when you’re ready! ❤️ Thanks for being here! 😄❤️

[@melenahoward]

@@the1994candleco thank you, my friend. Do you have a link to your products. I would love to see what you’re selling. I am always on the hunt for a good candle.

[@the1994candleco]

@U%F0%9F%98%83CI7bYC4jlqA6p0w_X8h85tw Absolutely! Here's a link to my website: the1994candleco.com You can always find it in the description of my videos too if you need it (it's at the bottom!) 😄

[@melenahoward]

@@the1994candleco awesome. I’ll make sure to look at that for the future. Thank you.

[@melenahoward]

@@the1994candleco I just checked out your website. It is beautifully constructed. Your products looked wonderful. I love the packaging and your website is very easy to navigate. Well done. Oh by the way, your prices are also fantastic and I can’t wait to try some of your products out.

[@agnieszkasabosz725]

I am about to start my business after two years of working with my candles. I put together a lot of things to make my dream come true. But I am also scared, what if....candles do not burn properly, will customers be satisfied etc. Did you experience sth like that? Greetings from Poland❤

[@the1994candleco]

Oh yeah I think we all go through that phase of feeling like our products aren’t gonna be good enough. It’s kind of a fine line between making sure you have a really good product and also realizing there’s no way to have a “perfect” product. No matter how much you test or try. The number 1 thing for me is safety. If I feel I haven’t tested a jar and power burned it enough to make sure the glass isn’t gonna shatter from the heat etc.. then I won’t put that out until I know for sure. After that it’s scent throw because that’s what the customers care about. ❤️ The best way to get over that fear… is just to face it and start selling them. 😄❤️

[@agnieszkasabosz725]

Thank you so much , you uplifted my spirit❤❤❤

[@luisp8999]

or anyrhing like that…

[@the1994candleco]

🙂‍↔️🙂‍↔️😶‍🌫️🥸

[@rikarozayyy4011]

A lot of candle businesses look the same too! So boring and the same scents! You gotta be creative

[@the1994candleco]

So true! 👏👏👏

[@user-no8ui8mz8p]

What do you use for labels for your vessels? Thank you so much for all of the wonderful information!! To share with all of us is selfless of you!

[@the1994candleco]

Hi so sorry I didn't reply to this! I use onlinelabels.com for blank labels and I design them in Canva. :)