Life operates within the framework of systems. Sam Carpenter’s book, “Work the System,” is a game-changer that can revolutionize how you manage your candle business and lead your life.

Reading this book is imperative, but—and here’s a significant caveat—I’ll do my utmost to convey its essence and illustrate how it can significantly enhance your candle business, even if it’s still in its infancy.

Understanding this concept takes a moment, but let’s commence by acknowledging that nearly everything functions as a system. While not all systems are flawless and might necessitate adjustments, it’s crucial to recognize that every system, no matter how routine, exists because someone designed it or we adopted and created it ourselves through learning or improvisation.

Consider your morning routine as an example; it’s a system comprising a sequence of activities like waking up, brushing your teeth, having breakfast, and getting dressed in a specific order. You put on your underclothes first, followed by socks, then your shirt and pants. This systematic approach ensures functionality.

An even more intricate system could be an airline’s flight scheduling and management system, involving planning efficient flight routes, considering factors like aircraft availability, crew schedules, and passenger demand. Real-time adjustments are made based on weather conditions and air traffic.

Does every system always work perfectly? No, but whether good or bad, it is a system. Everything we do, from routine activities like brushing our teeth to more complex tasks like paying bills, involves a system.

For your candle business, implementing systems is crucial to enhance efficiency and productivity. You can’t just create candles haphazardly; eventually, a system must be established. This includes having a dedicated location and time for candle-making, inventory management, sales and marketing systems, packaging systems, and storage systems.

You might feel overwhelmed, but don’t be. You were likely going to implement these practices anyway. The key is realizing that you were, in essence, creating systems to improve your business and life. Often, we don’t consciously think about systems; we simply perform tasks and make adjustments as needed.

Systems need to be specific, and while I strongly recommend reading “Work the System” for a deeper understanding, let me illustrate how systems have impacted my life and can do the same for yours.

In my videos, you’ll notice I have formulas or systems in place for making concrete candles. For instance, a specific concrete candle requires 345 grams of cement, 87 grams of water, 242 grams of candle wax, and 22 grams of fragrance oil, all meticulously measured based on systems established in early 2022. These systems save money by minimizing product waste—an example of a good system.

Whether you realize it or not, these systems are either already in place or about to be implemented without you explicitly labeling them as such. Understanding and acknowledging these systems will give you a distinct advantage. Trust me!

If your sole focus is on generating income from a single source, such as selling candles, you may be setting yourself up for potential failure.

Let me elucidate – picture relying solely on selling candles to make a living, and it doesn’t unfold as expected or proves insufficient to sustain your lifestyle. What’s your next move?

Most thriving businesses have diversified revenue streams. Consider giants like Amazon, for instance. They not only sell their products but also earn by taking a cut from others’ products and provide subscription services for movies, shows, books, and music. Their revenue streams are diverse.

Ebay follows a similar model, making money from sellers, buyers, and advertising space. Apple, too, boasts various income streams through selling devices and offering subscription services, akin to Amazon.

The fundamental concept is to have multiple avenues for income. Personally, I generate income from selling products like silicone molds, candles, and my online course, the Winning Formula. Additionally, I earn through YouTube, affiliate marketing, sponsorships, and one-on-one consultations.

I share these not to boast but to emphasize the effort I put into my work. Now, how do you plan to make money? Or, more precisely, what systems do you have in place to generate income? Remember those systems?

If you’re just starting, now is the ideal time to contemplate your approach. Diversifying your financial lifeline, embracing multiple streams of income, is the key to substantial earnings.

Now, let’s talk about opportunity costs.

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative forgone when you make a choice. In simpler terms, it’s what you could have gained or experienced if you had chosen something else.

In the candle-making business, opportunity cost affects us in two ways.

Firstly, regarding time. If we spend ample time making candles but neglect promotion and marketing, we miss out on finding potential buyers. Conversely, if we prioritize promotion but don’t produce enough candles, the demand won’t translate into sales.

Secondly, in product choices. Every product decision entails an opportunity cost – the potential value or benefits we forgo by choosing one product over another. For example, exclusively using a specific candle wax may align with our values initially, but it comes with the opportunity cost of missing out on other potential advantages from alternative waxes or suppliers.

Consideration of opportunity costs is crucial in making sustainable business decisions. It ensures that product choices not only deliver immediate benefits but also account for potential drawbacks and strategies to mitigate them, securing the long-term viability of our business.

In the contemporary business landscape, establishing a robust online presence is indispensable. It goes beyond merely having a website and being active on social media; it’s about remaining pertinent and flourishing in the digital age.

A pivotal factor is the potency of engagement. Through social media, direct connections with customers are forged, inquiries are addressed, and a genuine interest in their opinions is demonstrated. This engagement fosters trust and loyalty, transforming customers into ardent advocates of your brand—recall our earlier discussion on branding?

Take, for instance, the hundreds of comments I’ve received through my online presence, to which I’ve responded to about 90%. Now, you might think, “Well, Jai, you’re omnipresent on social media.” Yes, but I started somewhere, and believe me, it wasn’t effortless.

Furthermore, an online presence opens avenues for remarkable marketing opportunities. Your website and social media platforms serve as your personal advertising space, where content, updates, and special offers can be shared to attract customers and enhance awareness of your business. Targeting specific groups amplifies the efficacy of your marketing endeavors.

Through my YouTube channel, companies have approached me for sponsorship deals, a testament to the recognition garnered through hard work.

Being online confers a competitive advantage. If your competitors have a more robust online presence, they might be siphoning potential customers. Competitiveness necessitates being where your rivals are and striving to deliver a superior online experience for your audience.

Your online presence isn’t confined to local outreach; it facilitates reaching a global audience. If your products or services have international potential, expanding your market and boosting sales become feasible through a well-established online presence.

Consider the convenience your customers appreciate in accessing information about your business anytime and anywhere. This personal connection, evident in people feeling they know me and addressing me by name, stems from deliberate efforts to send love and convey genuine care.

Lastly, it’s not solely about having a website; it’s about leveraging the data it provides. Websites and social media platforms furnish invaluable insights into audience behavior and preferences. These insights inform strategic decisions, allowing for continuous improvement.

For instance, analyzing my online activity provides clarity on what is effective and what isn’t, guiding decisions to either intensify efforts or pivot strategies.

Yes, the prospect of navigating the digital realm can be daunting, but within that trepidation lies the thrill of possibilities and the assurance of fortifying a more resilient, agile business. Confronting these challenges head-on not only positions us to endure change but to lead it.