6 Things Killing Your Candle Business

You aren’t Willing to Spend Money

Let’s be real! a lot of people think that they can start a successful venture without spending any money, but that’s not really the case. Sure, there are a few people out there who have hit the jackpot with minimal investments, but those cases are pretty rare.

If you really want your business to grow and thrive, you’ve got to be willing to invest in it. Trust me, I know it can be tough to part with your hard-earned cash, but it’s worth it in the long run. By spending money wisely, you can improve your time management, upgrade your equipment, and invest in marketing to reach more customers.

And here’s the thing – when you show your customers that you’re willing to invest in your business, they’ll be more likely to trust and support you. On the flip side, if you’re not willing to spend money, you could end up with a stagnant business that can’t compete with others in the market.

Of course, I’m not saying you should go out and blow your entire budget on fancy equipment or flashy ads. You need to strike a balance between spending money to drive growth and being smart with your finances to maximize profits. But at the end of the day, investing in your business is one of the most important things you can do to help it succeed.

You aren’t testing your candles properly

Out of the 6 things that are killing your candle business, this has got to be the most important. Did you know that some people start selling candles without even testing them first? Like, come on, it’s a no-brainer that you gotta make sure your candles are safe before selling them, right? But unfortunately, not everyone thinks that way.

You gotta test your candles to make sure they won’t leave black soot all over the place, or tunnel weirdly, or even burn your customers’ hands (ouch!). Plus, you wanna make sure your candle smells good both when it’s lit (hot throw) up and when it’s not (cold throw), and that it burns for the right amount of time based on its container size.

And listen, it’s not just a one-time thing – you gotta keep checking on your candles every so often to make sure they’re still good to go. After all, you’re basically inviting a mini fire into people’s homes, so you wanna make sure that fire stays under control.

By doing all this testing, you’re not just protecting your customers – you’re also protecting yourself from potential lawsuits. So yeah, always make sure your candles are safe to use before selling them!

You Have No Social Media Presence

If you’re thinking about starting up your own candle business, let me tell you something important: having a social media presence is key! I mean, seriously, it’s like having your own megaphone to reach a whole bunch of people in no time at all. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to show off your candles and interact with your customers too.

Think about it – by being on social media, you can really boost your brand awareness and build trust with your audience. I should know – just look at my YouTube channel! I’ve got over 3400 subscribers (and probably more by the time you’re watching this), and a lot of them have purchased candles based on my recommendations. In fact, I made over $17,000 from those recommendations in 2022 alone. Not too shabby for a newbie, right?

And it’s not just about the money – one of the best things about social media is that it allows you to connect with your customers in a really personal way. I’ve met so many cool people (okay, and a few weirdos too) who keep coming back to chat with me and share their thoughts.

Another great thing about social media (like Instagram) is that you can use it to keep your followers up to date with your latest candle creations, and you can even use it to answer any questions they might have. It’s like creating a little community of candle lovers who are totally loyal to you and your brand.

Last but not least, social media is an amazing way to get feedback from your customers. You can learn what they love (and what they don’t), and use that information to make your candles even better.

So, trust me when I say that having a social media presence for your candle business is a total game-changer.

You Don’t Know Your Competitors

it sounds a bit harsh, but hear me out. When we talk about enemies, in this case, we actually mean friendly competition. So, why would you want to keep them closer than your friends?

The answer is simple – by getting to know your friendly competitors better, you can learn a lot about their business capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. And this knowledge can be used to your advantage. For example, you can find out where their products are located, how much they charge, what products they use, and where they source them from.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re not suggesting that you should steal their ideas or products. Instead, use this information to give yourself a leg up on the competition and become a better entrepreneur. By understanding your competitors, you can better understand the market and the opportunities and challenges that exist.

For instance, if you realize that the market is saturated, it may be time to expand your sales beyond your immediate area. Additionally, knowing your competition can help you develop strategies to differentiate your business and position it more effectively. Say you’re participating in a craft fair – by knowing your competition, you can display your candles more efficiently and make them more aesthetically appealing to stand out from the crowd.

So, in a nutshell, it’s always wise to know your competitors. By doing so, you can improve your business and keep up with the latest trends in the market.

You Don’t Know Your Cost of Goods

Have you heard the saying “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer”? Well, I know it sounds a bit harsh, but hear me out. When we talk about enemies, in this case, we actually mean friendly competition. So, why would you want to keep them closer than your friends?

The answer is simple – by getting to know your friendly competitors better, you can learn a lot about their business capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses. And this knowledge can be used to your advantage. For example, you can find out where their products are located, how much they charge, what products they use, and where they source them from.

Now, don’t get me wrong. We’re not suggesting that you should steal their ideas or products. Instead, use this information to give yourself a leg up on the competition and become a better entrepreneur. By understanding your competitors, you can better understand the market and the opportunities and challenges that exist.

For instance, if you realize that the market is saturated, it may be time to expand your sales beyond your immediate area. Additionally, knowing your competition can help you develop strategies to differentiate your business and position it more effectively. Say you’re participating in a craft fair – by knowing your competition, you can display your candles more efficiently and make them more aesthetically appealing to stand out from the crowd.

So, in a nutshell, it’s always wise to know your competitors. By doing so, you can improve your business and keep up with the latest trends in the market.

You Have Shiny Object Syndrome

Have you ever heard of the shiny object syndrome? Out of the 6 things that are killing your candle business nobody talks about the shiny object syndrome. What is the shiny object syndrome? It’s when people get super easily distracted by new and shiny things! It’s like when you see a shiny toy in a store and you can’t stop thinking about it until you have it. This syndrome can be a bit like a disease because it can totally distract you and mess up your plans.

Let’s say you’re working on your candle line, and suddenly you see a new, super cool candle jar that just hit the market. You think it’s the perfect thing to take your candles to the next level, and you just HAVE to have it. But wait, that can be a problem! This syndrome can cause you to jump around between different candle projects or goals, without ever committing to one thing.

So, it’s important to stay aware of this tendency and try to stay focused on your goals. Instead of chasing every shiny thing you see, set specific goals for yourself and work towards them. That way, you can avoid getting sidetracked

Check out a the video version of 6 things that are killing your candle business.