Candle business is a great startup idea.
Homemade candles have become an essential home decor item over the years. The candle business is an industry that is expected to reach $5 billion by 2026 as per MarketWatch.
Candle business is a great startup idea. The following reason show why candle businesses are increasing day by day;
● A low-cost entry: One can start a candle business with very little cash upfront. Whether you outsource them or make them yourself, it requires a lower investment.
● Candles are loved all over the world and are easy to sell anywhere.
● The candle business is a scalable craft that you can learn over time.
● With so many variations, you can customize your products in unique ways to differentiate them from other brands.
Who will be your client?
Over the past years, the use of commercial candles and domestic candles have increased sharply. With qualities that create a soothing effect, reduce stress, home décor and create an aromatic ambience, candles have seen a growth in the commercial field like spas, restaurants, hotels etc. On the other hand, people have also started to use candles at home increasingly making up for a huge domestic demand for candles.
Depending on how you want to produce your candles and what customer base you want to target, you can choose to supply either to commercial demand or domestic demand. Either way, both have a great growing perspective. You can also always do both. But it is better to start with a single line of customers and further grow your customer base. While commercial demand will need you to meet specific needs, and supply in larger quantities adhering to their business theme, supplying to domestic individual customers will give you more creative freedom also let you add your little touch.
Do a little market research and see if your target customer will be for luxury candles, mid-market or the mass market.
Will you make your candles or will you outsource them?
Now the question arises on whether you want to make your candles or outsource them.
If you don’t have a lot of time in your hands, or if you want to focus more on the marketing and branding aspects of your business, outsourcing your candles is the way to go. Many candle manufacturers sell to the candle business. The candle making process does take some time and space, it requires a few failed tries until you get it right. Likewise, you also need to plan for the material, where to buy the materials, wax, and everything before starting your production.
On the other hand, producing your candles will give you some level of creative freedom. It will take some time in the beginning but the practice is the only way to go. You need to do a little research on where to buy the materials and how to make them, the type of wax you want to use etc.
What is your story? Why do you want to start a candle business?
Before starting any business, it is important to answer your “Why”. Without this, the passion for your venture will fade over time. You want to have a story or any reason that has inspired you to start this business. You want to deliver to your clients how your love for candles was born and has now expanded to deliver the same to your clients with a hope to spark a love for candles in them too. Your clients and you will share this common ground of love for candles and this is what will keep you connected.
What kind of wax are you going to focus on and why?
One of the first choices you will face while starting a candle business is the type of wax you want to use. Today, there are a wide variety of wax types you can use for your candles. Some are natural, some are synthetic and some are a little bit of both.
Following are the various types of wax you can choose for your candles
Paraffin wax: Paraffin wax is the most popular type of wax found and used today. Most of the commercially available candles are made using this wax. They come with different melting points appropriate for a variety of applications from votives, to pillars to containers.
Soy wax: Many soy waxes are made from 100% soybean oil while some others are blended with other vegetable oils such as coconut oil or wax-like palm wax or bee’s wax.
Gel Wax: Gel wax is a combination of resin and minerals. Gel wax gives a transparent effect to your candles and can be used to imitate water and other liquids like wine etc. in novelty candles.
Bees’ wax: Beeswax is probably the oldest candle making wax and generates a naturally sweet fragrance since it is infused with honey. Many believe that beeswax is the best wax for candles.
Palm wax: Palm wax is similar to soy wax as it is made from natural palm oil. It can be used to create a crystalline/feathered effect on your candles.
Brassica Wax
We at candle salon, produce high-quality candles for individual candle businesses. Our candles, unlike many mass producers who use paraffin wax, are made of natural Brassica wax. Brassica wax is made from a plant called Brassica napus ssp. oleifera plant. A family of the mustard or cabbage family, this plant has a very oil rich seed perfect for making candles. Candles made from Brassica wax are 100% natural. They burn clean, for a longer time and has great scent retention. It does not create toxic fumes or particles while burning. Additionally, the fragrance in these waxes stay throughout the lifetime of the candle.
What will be the look and feel of your brand?
Building a brand image is very important for a business. You don’t want to be all over the place, you will need something unique to stand out from the mass. For this, you will need to build your brand image that will communicate to the market why your candles are the best. A brand image influences your marketing efforts and makes it easier to create your target niche.