If you are interested in learning how to start a candle business, you’ve come to the right place.
There is a surge of people tapping into the candle industry, whether it’s to simply enjoy some recreational fun or turn it into a money-making venture. Either way, the rewards are present. Who doesn’t enjoy the pleasant and soothing company of a candle?
A major benefit of knowing how to set up a candle business is that you get to easily turn a beloved hobby into a full-time (or part-time) brand. And even if you don’t know a single thing about candle ideas to sell, that’s okay! Getting started is easy as pie, as long as you hone your creativity and determination to keep the business running.
Many crafters and entrepreneurs enjoy the perks of the candle-making industry for several reasons:
Five benefits of starting a candle business
Here are the five perks of starting a candle business:
Low-cost entry - Getting into how to start a candle business doesn’t break the bank. There are only so many supplies to create beautiful candles, and they all follow the same core process. Though luxury candles entail pricier materials, you do end up getting a return on the investment. People pay top dollar for the best of the best.
Easy to sell anywhere - Homemade candles are standard placements in virtually any setting. You can sell them online, at local markets, craft fairs—they work everywhere. So don’t hold back on getting your candles out there, online and offline.
Scalable craft to learn - You don’t need to be a candle-making enthusiast to get started on this venture. The base recipe for candles is highly intuitive and simple enough for newbies to get the hang of it with almost zero downtime. The best part? The more you do it, the more creative you get with the process.
Easy to customize - Candles are extremely easy to customize. People perceive candles through two components: scent and appearance. Incorporating different herbs, oils, etc., into the candle-making process gives you a new candle to add to your arsenal. Want to add some gems and crystals? Go for it, and you will have a new candle with an excellent aesthetic. The list goes on!
Business flexibility - You can create candles anywhere. You do not need a hub or a workspace to get started—many candle business startups begin right at home. As your business grows, you can expand your setting by getting a legitimate candle-making venue or even a factory when you reach immense growth. You can also get help from productivity apps that help entrepreneurs keep their business's productivity and management in check.
So, if you are interested in burning the midnight oil with a convenient and promising venture, starting a candle business may just be the perfect tool for you.
These are the key takeaways on how to start a candle business to turn a fun hobby into a lucrative experience:
A candle business is the perfect choice for startups looking to save resources yet expect big results.
There are different niches in the candle industry, and you need to find the specialty that sets you apart from the competition.
You can choose among selling mass-marketed, mid-marketed, or luxury candles. Your choice largely depends on your target audience.
Candles are about relaxation, so your branding needs to express calmness through pastel, quirky, and peaceful elements.
Packaging is particularly important in this industry. The way your candles look is just as important as the way they smell. All sorts of options exist, many of which you can handle yourself rather than having to pay a third party. For instance, you can print custom shrink sleeve labels for your candles, making them look stylish and professional.
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How to start a candle business: 6 steps to a glowing brand
A candle business is a convenient and hot (literally and figuratively) investment, so go big with your innovation to create unique and enjoyable candles. Follow these six steps to build a credible candle business that gets results.
Step 1: Assess your target market
Who is your target audience? These are the potential buyers who would be most interested in your products and may likely transition to customers. In the candle-making industry, the markets are usually grouped into three factions: mass market, mid-market, and high-end.
1. Mass market - This means creating affordable and easily accessible candles. An excellent example of a candle business serving the mass market is Bath & Body Works. Most of the scents in this category are standard, such as warm vanilla, lavender, ocean breeze, etc. The candles usually cost around $8 to $19 per product.
2. Mid-market - These are mid-tier candles with unique appeal. Yankee Candle does this well, with a mighty range of scents at a reasonable yet mid-range price. Mid-market candles have distinct and pleasant mixtures and aromas, like rose water, basil, cedar, linen, etc. The price range lies between $20 and $39.
3. High-end - These are luxury candles, and they have been trending in the candle industry year by year. An average luxury candle can sell for $40 to $80, sometimes even higher. Louis Vuitton’s scented candle is a whopping $185! In many cases, high-end candles are associated with big brands with a loyal following. It is advised that candle business startups refrain from offering luxury candles from the get-go.
Check out each category and determine the kind of target market your candles are most suited for (at this point in time). You also must assess the type of candles you can offer with your current resources.
If you believe that mass-market candles would be a great start, go for it! Bath & Body Works generated net sales of almost $6.5 billion in 2020, and the numbers are growing. And Yankee Candle sells over 200 million candles a year, so if you want to go with mid-market, why not? Every choice comes with serious potential.
Step 2: Find your niche
So you’ve figured out where your candles belong in the market. Now, it’s time to set yourself apart from the competition with what makes your candles unique—what makes them you. Don’t hesitate to reach within and incorporate personal attributes.
Are you passionate about the environment? Get into eco-friendly candles.
Are you a fan of crystals and healing energy? You can create a series of candles featuring different gems and crystals (i.e., rose quartz candles, jade candles, amethyst candles, etc.).
Are you a lover of the deep blue sea? Seashell candles!
Are you a horoscope lover? Make a special candle series for each zodiac sign with scents you think would be the most fitting for each type.
Don’t put yourself in a box of only delivering pleasant scents. Another buying factor when it comes to candles is their appearance and energy. Some people enjoy flowers in their candles because they simply look nice. Some people appreciate manifestation candles, which attract luck and good energy.
There are tons of opportunities and so many niches to tap into. At the end of the day, your mission should be having candle ideas to sell that are so distinct and helpful that customers can’t get them anywhere else.
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Step 3: Determine startup costs
How much does it cost to start a candle business? The number isn’t as hefty as you think. Of course, this can change depending on your business niche. For example, if you decide to have gems and crystals in your candles, your startup costs will increase as these supplies are not cheap.
Candles don’t require extensive materials and effort, especially if you bundle up and look for a candle making kit. But it would still be vital for you to come up with a budget for your first six months in business.
To get a grasp of your budget, you’ll need to think about:
Setup costs (supplies and equipment)
Brand packaging and labels
The time it takes you to create a candle
The price that each candle costs to make
Shipping prices (if you are selling online)
What do you need to start a candle business? Because you do need to know your setup costs, here is an overview of the essential candle making supplies and equipment required:
Candle wax - You may choose from soy wax, coconut wax, paraffin wax, palm wax, beeswax, or any combination of the options.
Scent - This is entirely up to you. Choose the scents and fragrances you would love to have in your candle collection. If you are going for eco-friendly, choose organic mixtures.
Candlewick - You may choose between zinc, paper, braided cotton, or balsa wood sticks.
Color dye - You can choose between liquid and powdered dye to add to your wax and give each candle a unique color.
Thermometer - This is to ensure your wax does not overheat above 80°C.
Candle base - This is the packaging of your candle. You may choose among different molds or glass jars—whatever suits your branding.
Heat-proof bowl and saucepan - This is for melting your wax safely.
This may seem like a lot to fund, but most of these candle making supplies don’t run too expensive. Gather these supplies from a quality source at a cost-efficient price and start developing a monthly budget. Once you have it, you get a better idea of how much your time, effort, and products are worth.
Tip: If you’re starting to get traction with your candle business, start buying in bulk. You’ll always need these supplies, and it could save you time and money down the line. A candle making kit can be a cheaper investment rather than getting everything separately.
Step 4: Set a pricing structure
Your pricing depends on your target market, budget, and brand marketing strategy. For example, if you decide to tap into the mass market and are just starting out in the candle industry, you may want to lowball your prices first. It is an opportunity to build your brand and be known, which is essential in the beginning.
A great stepping-off point is to price basic scented candles at $10 to $18 depending on the materials you use. The candle industry is full of sellers trying to achieve the same things you are, so going overboard with the pricing without the credibility and trust to back it up is not the best idea at this stage.
First, focus on the ways you can get your candles out there. Provide competitive prices or promos to reel people in. You can offer a two-for-the-price-one promotion in your first month, or offer a 30% discount when customers refer a friend.
You may lose some money initially (which, by the way, is relatively common for many businesses at this stage), but getting your candle business and products out there and exposed for the world to see is priceless. Prioritize long-term results always. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Step 5: Start creating candles to sell
It would be ideal to keep your candle collection small and manageable at the start. Begin by creating five different candles at a time, and get feedback from your friends and family about which ones they like the best. Keep doing this until you have 3 to 4 all-time favorites.
Once you know the products you have are well-loved and enjoyable, take them to the market and see how they perform. Here are some selling avenues to consider:
Fair booths, craft shows, farmers’ markets, etc.
Online marketplaces, such as eBay, Amazon, and Etsy. Starting an Etsy shop can be great exposure for your homemade candles.
Your own website—more on this below.
Keep repeating the creation process as the business moves forward. Eventually, you'll have a massive selection of highly loved candles that speak well for you.
Feedback is the greatest teacher. Don’t hesitate to showcase your products on your social media channels, allowing your personal network to support you and spread awareness. Your friends, family, and peers can provide you with valuable opinions and assistance to give you a great head start.
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Step 6: Create a social media marketing strategy
Use social media to your advantage by posting stunning images of your candles with descriptive captions. Talk about the scents in each candle, and how they would make people feel. Your audience can’t smell your candles through a screen, so do the work for them and paint them a mental and sensual experience with your words.
Candle businesses naturally thrive with social media marketing. But take note that this is a typical operation in the candle industry, so consider keeping your prices low to avoid being overshadowed by competitors. Attract attention by investing in ads and posting about promos weekly. The candle industry is rife with competition, so getting exposure at the start can do wonders for your business.
You’ve gotten this far, which means you now have a solid grasp on how to start a candle business the right way.
Is candle-making a good business?
For someone thinking of getting into the candle making business, some of the first questions they'd encounter would be:
Is candle making profitable?
Is candle business profitable in the long term?
Can you make money selling candles?
Is candle-making expensive?
How can I grow my candle business?
How much money do you need to start a candle business?
A candle-making business can be highly profitable. Not only is there a low-cost barrier to entry, but the candle-making industry is expected to reach nearly $5 billion by 2026. People love candles, and they're most likely going to continue buying candles for a long time.
To make your candle business stand out, you need two important things:
An amazing product
Strong marketing push
First, spend some time building your product and then follow the six steps mentioned above to build your candle business. You could also check out this video to get answers to some of the popular questions about starting a candle business:
With the steps above to help you make and sell your awesome candles, you can move forward to creating your very own candle business logo.
How to create a candle business logo in 6 easy steps
A logo helps establish the visual identity of your candle business and sets it apart from your competition. Strong business branding allows you to properly bond with potential customers, making them want to connect with you.
Building your candle business boosts trust between you and your audience, which is fundamental as customers will be relying on you for their tranquility and relaxation needs.
A solid logo is a giant step in getting there, and with our logo maker to assist you, your visual branding needs are pretty much set. Before we get to that, here are some other ways you can make your candle business stand out from the crowd.
How to make your candle business stand out
A business logo is important, but there are other ways to stand out and positively imprint on the industry.
Statistics show that the candle industry was valued at $3.54 billion in 2019 and is estimated to grow to $6.64 billion by 2027. The same study states that the most popular product among consumers is slow-burning candles, with pillar candles starting to get tremendous traction.
Branding is a necessity, but here are useful tips to consider in standing out:
Simple tips to build your candle business
Do extensive research on your competitors.
Read through current candle trends, such as creative, decorative candles, etc.
Research different scents and how they make people feel.
Brand your candles with appealing and valuable information.
Come up with catchy candle names that are relevant to their scents.
Find your niche (luxury candles, scented candles, etc.).
Put up stalls at marketing events or fairs, where people can test the scents.
Use social media to display your candles and engage with interested consumers.
Be as descriptive as possible when describing your products.
Keep up with the demand for slow-burning and pillar candles.
The perks of putting up a candle business are that it has low start-up costs, can be done from home, and requires very little equipment. The best part? The candle market is in high demand, and the returns can potentially outweigh the fees. The likelihood of a good investment is present, but standing out is what gives you business.
This information can help get people interested in your candle business, but a good branding strategy boosts the professionalism and quality of your corporate entity as a whole. A logo is the face of your business, and if it’s appealing enough, it can compel people to check out your products.
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Get a free candle logo: 6 steps to creating one for your brand
Here are six easy steps to get your free candle logo and ways to promote and market your business with your new visual.
Step 1: Input your business details and find a name
Your candle business name is more for your customers than it is for you. Decide on a name that oozes peace and relaxation, so much so that it would compel onlookers to learn more about your brand.
Consider using a candle business name generator to provide you with a great and memorable name along with a beautiful logo to go with it.
All you have to do is input one to three relevant keywords that describe your business and optimize your preferences.
For example:
Candle business name generator
The tool will generate a ton of names along with potential logo ideas for you to choose from.
Step 2: Choose the business name that suits you the best
Candle business name ideas
Browse through the selection of names and choose the one you like the most. Don’t worry about the candle logo design just yet—you’ll soon see hundreds of different designs to choose from.
Here are some tricks to choosing an awesome name for your candle business. Make sure it’s:
Unique and distinctive
Relevant to your products and scents
Easy to pronounce and memorize
Simple and recognizable
Reflective of your candle brand
Once you have chosen the right name, click ‘Ideas’ on the upper left of the page to check out hundreds of logo designs for it.
Logo design ideas
Step 3: Choose the logo closest to your ideal design
Every logo you’ll find is customizable according to what you prefer. Find a design that is closest to your ideal candle logo and click it to customize it. Now, you can start modifying its colors, icons, font, and spacing—everything! Keep customizing it until it’s perfect.
Click the image to customize this logo
Here is some advice for when you customize the logo to ensure that it works:
Decide on your brand colors and keep them consistent
Ensure that the logo is not overcrowded with too many elements
Build a minimalistic yet substantial design
Do what you can to make it look memorable and professional
Opt for an icon that best represents your products
Customization is crucial because it makes the design your own. It’s essential that you are in total control of its elements—just as you are in control of your brand. Nobody will understand your vision as well as you do, and with a professional logo maker, you get to make your ideal design a reality. Customizing a logo also helps in making your brand stand out among your competitors.
Here are some of the benefits of logo customization. You get to:
Are you happy with the design? If so, go ahead and click ‘Preview’ to check how your new logo will look on several products and platforms. You will also receive information about the logo, such as its font, color palette, potential business cards—whatever you need to get your candle business running as soon as possible.
That’s all it took—four effortless steps, and you’re almost done.
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Step 5: Take your free candle logo home
Once you have finalized your logo, click the ‘Get Your Logo’ button. From here, you can take your new candle business logo home free of charge!
You can start using your candle business logo right away with these benefits:
Full ownership of your logo - Once you purchase your logo, it completely belongs to you and no one else, even if you decide to delete your account.
Instant access to your logo - Your logo is safe in your account. It is secure for you to come back to it whenever you need it.
100% satisfaction guarantee - Your happiness is everything to us. If you’re unhappy with your logo, we will issue you a full refund.
Launch your candle business in almost no time at all. It's practical to get an early start, so go for it! But take note that your logo is just the start. You still need branding materials featuring your new logo to build your online presence.
Our Brand Plan is your brand-building best friend. For only $10/month, you have instant access to:
Unlimited logo edits
Business card maker
Email signature maker
Custom design tool (Stitch)
Brand showcase
Brand guidelines
Perpetual brand backup
Oh, and all of them are pre-set with your new candle logo. Say hello to instant convenience and results.
Step 6: Market your candle business on social media
It’s the digital age, and most interactions happen online. Take advantage of it by using social media branding efficiently. Take Instagram, for example. You can use the platform to display beautiful images of your candles and include descriptive information about their scents.
But before you post any products, a way to build credibility in your candle business is to make your social media presence consistent.
A social media kit offers this consistency. You'll get access to ready-to-use files for all your social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Twitter.
More importantly, to build a candle business, you would need to build a website to feature your products and have customers purchase them. LOGO.com offers a website builder, which gives you many opportunities for how you want to use it for your brand.
You can also use the website for other forms of promotion, like writing blogs about your journey to starting a candle business. You can provide advice and helpful tips to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start the same venture while also building your brand.
Statistics show that 47% of website visitors check out a brand’s products and services page before looking at any other section. So, what are you waiting for? Get a website for your candles and let potential customers see your fabulous creations at first sight!
5 great examples of candle logos
Here are five logo examples to get your creative juices flowing:
1. A white backdrop with an icon of orange candles is sure to stand out. Who can resist a pop of color?
Click the image to customize this logo
2. You can’t go wrong with a black and white logo. Embody classiness in your logo with this timeless design.
3. Yellow is one of the most eye-catching colors of all. The best part is that it’s the perfect color for a candle. Win-win!
Click the image to customize this logo
4. A pink candle icon is a perfect way to say, “My scents are floral and exquisite!”
Click the image to customize this logo
5. Do you want your business logo to brim with sophistication? Go for a minimalist design with a classy color, and you’re set.
Frequently asked questions: 5 popular FAQs about starting a candle business
What are some commonly asked questions about starting a candle business? Get your questions answered with these five FAQs.
1. Is it worth making and selling candles?
Yes, it is. Learning how to make candles to sell is a nice hobby that can turn into a profitable business. A candle making business is a low-investment, low-skill venture that can be done from the comfort of your own home.
2. Do candles make a lot of money?
Yes, they do! If you know what you're doing, selling candles can be a lucrative business. Some candlemakers are able to make a living solely from the sale of their candles, so it's not just a hobby that can bring in extra cash.
3. How much money do you need to start a candle business?
Starting a candle business will cost you anywhere from $9,500 to $78,000, with an average of $44,000. But don’t worry too much about startup costs; getting into how to make candles to sell as a side hustle won't have a major impact on your savings.
4. What is the most popular candle scent?
Vanilla is the most popular flavor, so it's no wonder that its aroma is so high on the list. As an added bonus, they can also bring on emotions of calm and contentment. Vanilla candles will not only make your house smell like a bakery, but they will also assist in improving your mood.
5. Is the candle market saturated?
There's a lot of rivalry in the candle business, but that shouldn't put you off. Saturation in the candle market indicates high demand. Customers don't typically make one-time purchases of candles. They’ll always come back for more and experiment with different brands.
Build your candle business today
A logo is the core of your visual branding needs because it builds a foundation between you and your target market. It shows that you care about your candle business enough to brand it properly.
Compelling logos can ultimately set you apart from the competition, and they can potentially tell users a story with a single glance.
Ready to design your free logo? Get started with our logo maker!
