Taking it from the Top: Starting a Candle Business

Luxury candles have become a popular indulgence for many people, creating a market for businesses that specialise in producing high-end candles. Starting a candle business can be a fulfilling venture, but it requires planning and creativity to establish a successful brand. In this blog post, we will guide you through the essential steps involved in starting a luxurious candle business and building a strong brand.

Step 1: Research the market

Before starting any business, it is essential to research the market and identify potential customers, competitors, and trends. Take a look at the current trends within the candle world and see what stands out to you. A great way to keep up to date is through us! We’re huge advocates for bringing all candle makers the information and opportunities to make their mark in the industry, which is why we supply free blogs and guides to get you started and keep you up with the latest inspiration.

Research the demand for luxury candles and the type of scents that are popular among consumers. To get real opinions, it could be great to initiate your own market research. You can survey potential customers to understand their preferences and expectations via social media, or even go out into the public and ask around.

 

Step 2: Develop a business plan

A business plan is a roadmap that outlines your goals, strategies, and financial projections for your candle business. Your business plan should include details such as your brand name, target market, marketing strategies, pricing, manufacturing processes, and distribution channels. You can consult with business experts or mentors to help you create a comprehensive business plan.

London Luxury Candle Supplies founder, Alex, is a whiz at business but she’s no self-proclaimed mathematician. However, she still notes that this is a fundamental part of starting a candle business, as you need to know your numbers to keep track of what money you're spending, making, and bringing home. Some advice from Alex is to swat up on Excel and then keep an up-to-date spreadsheet of all your expenses, your costs, your turnover, your revenue, and your profits.

Keeping a solid plan in place for where you want your candle business to head, whether that’s keeping things local and selling at markets or branching out to get your foot in the door of big retailers, you need to know the direction in order to get there.

 

Step 3: Create a brand identity

Your brand identity is the way you present your business to the public. It includes your brand name, logo, tagline, and packaging design. Your brand identity should reflect your brand's values and appeal to your target market. Consider working with a professional designer or branding agency to help you create a unique and appealing brand identity.

To make a start on your brand, let the ideas flow to you naturally. Your brand should reflect you, so think about what is important to you, what do you like, what brands inspire you, and go from there. Starting a candle business is a brilliant opportunity, and everyone is joining in the trend. This is why you’ve got to ensure your brand stands out as the best of the best.

 

Step 4: Develop your product line

Your candle product line should include a range of scents, sizes, and packaging options. Ensure your candles are made with high-quality ingredients, such as natural waxes, essential oils, and fragrance oils. Experiment with different scents and packaging designs to create a unique product line that stands out in the market.

Lucky for you, we have you covered here. Look at our Starter Kits and Beginners Guides, and discover what to start your business with. We are also strong believers in experimentation, so source the supplies you like the sound and look of and test them out. We stock loads of testing options to get the ball rolling, including our Wax Starter Kit, a tester pot option for every fragrance, and small quantity orders permitted to remove any barriers for you.

 

Step 5: Set up your production process

To produce your candles, you will need to set up a production process that includes sourcing materials, creating candle blends, pouring candles, labelling, and packaging. You can either produce your candles in-house or outsource production to us through our Private Label service. Learn more on this HERE.

Ultimately, when starting a candle business, you need to get the process flowing in order to save time and get your products ready for market. Don’t forget the essentials in this process too! Ensure that your production process adheres to safety and quality standards.

 

Step 6: Build your distribution network

To sell your candles, you will need to establish a distribution network. This could include setting up an e-commerce website, selling through third-party marketplaces such as Etsy or Not On the High Street, and looking into selling via social media. We also hugely recommend starting a candle-making business locally, by this we mean targeting local markets and fairs and selling to those who might already know you or be interested in local products. We believe that your community is likely to be your first big selling opportunity, so make the most of it.