Why and How I started a Candle Business in the UK - WILDRACE Small Business from home

[@EtcTwilight]

So inspiring, to do all of this whilst not feeling the best. I moan every time I have to work my full time job whilst trying to launch a candle business, but it's reassuring to know that the start isn't easy.

[@WILDRACECO]

@@EtcTwilight Thank you so much. Haha yes the beginning is definitely a slog and totally recommend staying at your job for as long as possible just to keep a stable income coming in 😁

[@katjarep5452]

I am sorry to hear you have health challenges for so long I hope you get be better for a long time coming after your surgery. Yes I started candle bussines for the sane reasons. Best wishes

[@WILDRACECO]

@@katjarep5452 thank you so much ☺️ So interesting to find so many people also starting a business for the same reasons ❤️

[@daisyanna22]

Lovely to hear your story ❤

[@WILDRACECO]

@@daisyanna22 Thank you Daisy ❤️❤️

[@elliestaley-cinti5900]

Thank you for sharing your story 😊❤️ I am really loving your videos and advice as well as following your journey (also just ordered your forest gift set today so excited to try that!). I'm also just starting my own candle business now whilst on maternity leave. I became super poorly after my first baby with my chronic illness so similar to you I have just found that I can't work a typical full time job without making my health worse. Hoping my little business might be something I can do around my health and grow it into something I'm proud of and your videos are super helpful when planning how to start it ❤️ Good luck with your surgery 🤞 and looking forward to the next vlog! x

[@WILDRACECO]

@@elliestaley-cinti5900 Thank you so much for this comment Ellie 🥰 So excited for you to try the forest trio set, it’s absolutely gorgeous. Thank you for ordering. So sorry to hear you’ve been ill too. Got to put yourself first, trust your body and do what’s best for you. I really hope you can also grow a little business to keep you going. It’s the best feeling when I wake up sick and get to choose to rest. Something never offered at a ‘normal’ job without feeling like you’re letting people down. So glad the videos are useful, I had no idea I would hit such a lovely audience and also other makers with health problems. There’s definitely a community of us here xxx

[@lengcome6244]

Your story is inspiring! 😊

[@WILDRACECO]

@@lengcome6244 Thank you so much 🥰

[@fionar1656]

Good to know & very inspiring. Well done. Although your story is different to mine but I started my artisan jewellery business, Such Pizzazz for the same reason my health.

[@WILDRACECO]

@@fionar1656 thank you 🥰 It’s funny how our health can inspire us to make this move ❤️

[@markfchapmani]

Really interesting, thanks Jordan.

[@WILDRACECO]

@@markfchapmani Thank you Mark 😁

[@daevacreative]

I have found so SO many chronic illness peeps who it took a lock down to access the situation 😅 myself included! Thank you for your video's! Hope surgery goes well ❤

[@WILDRACECO]

@@daevacreative Lockdown made me realise ‘why am I forcing my body to do this when all it’s doing is making me sicker’. Loved my Nanny job but wasn’t worth the decline in health. Grateful for lockdown revelations haha! Thank you so much for watching my videos and so glad you like them ❤️

[@daevacreative]

@WILDRACECO I loved my sales job too but the body and symptom relief from just slowing down you know? So I decided to work 24/7 in a small biz instead 🙃 🤣

[@purelivingfoodsbygina4244]

Hi Jordan thanks for sharing your story. I am a total newbe and want to start a candle business in Ireland. where did you learn how to make them online? I also have no idea on branding how did you decide on your branding model and colour scheme etc... good luck with your health. Gina xx

[@WILDRACECO]

@@purelivingfoodsbygina4244 Thank you Gina. I didn’t do any online learning, or course typed things. Just lots of experimenting with materials and self teaching. Working out what worked and what didn’t. I am thinking of putting together some sort of resource of the basics for getting started so perhaps this would be of interest to you when I do? For branding I based it on my target audience and what they sway towards in shops. What colours they tend to go for or whether they like simple designs or busier designs. Personally I think a lot of the ‘candle courses’ out there at the moment are rubbish and just trying to make money off you so would steer clear of them. I’m hoping to get something up and running soon as I think from actual experience I can provide something quite helpful 😁🤞 thank you xxx

[@purelivingfoodsbygina4244]

@@WILDRACECO Thank you so much- appreciate the feedback. Yes I would be interested in your resources and basics of getting started. Really appreciate your advice thank you. Gina

[@nicoleamanda9956]

Did you work with a designer from the start? I don’t have a candle business but another craft/product based business. I’m just starting out and my current stumbling block is design/labels etc. Fab videos, great to hear your journey!

[@WILDRACECO]

@@nicoleamanda9956 Hey, I didn’t. I started using one about a year and a half after launching. I actually took a small loan (£500) to pay for my first lot of design work and it was a total flop, nobody bought the product. Then slowly refined products and learned what people wanted then used the designer again and success from then onwards 🤩 My main collection of candles I do all the labels myself on programs such as canva. But I use the designer for more intricate ones and gift sets xx

[@KimLong-y5e]

What size wicks do you use in your candles?

[@WILDRACECO]

@@KimLong-y5e It really depends on the jar, I have a few sizes of jars so different for each. Takes a lot of testing to find out. But I use the TCR wicks for all of them x

[@KimLong-y5e]

@@WILDRACECO - I've literally made and tested 77 candles and still don't have one candle/wick/FO perfected. I'm ready to tear my hair out.

[@WILDRACECO]

@@KimLong-y5e oh gosh that must be sooo frustrating! What size jars/tins are you using?

[@KimLong-y5e]

@@WILDRACECO - I use 16oz and 12oz mason jars (same top width), 7oz jelly jars and 8oz tins. I don't have one candle I can start selling yet. :( My wax is 97% soy 10 and 3% beeswax.

[@WILDRACECO]

@@KimLong-y5e What is the diameter of the jar opening?