Ashley you hit the nail on head with many of your points. There is no way I can understand how people go from starting to launching a candle business with $500. Here in Texas your LLC filing alone is $300 and that's if you submit it on your own. I am a little over 3k in and I haven't even launched yet.
I agree! There are so many that scoff at others who spend thousands on starting their business, while they state they started their business with $500. That's just not possible unless they aren't testing AT ALL. Like you said, my business license and getting my name registered is close to a thousand alone.
Yeah the math quickly does not add up. Sometimes I wonder if those who mention that $ point are doing it for a hobby, friends and family or something that isn't apples and oranges but more so just a talking point to brag or cause a little ripple effect.
I fell for that too and can agree I easily have spent about $2k-$3k. I think those stating otherwise, simply never filed their LLC, trademark, insurance, sellers licence, funded a website to launch and probably sell candles without caring about the quality of their performance, or customer at all. They usually don't last long in this field and then claim it isn't profitable when things go south. You may not beat those people on price (because they shop for the cheapest materials possible); but you can beat them on quality, safety, customer service and customer satisfaction. That, listed with a fair price, will always bring in customers and have people looking for you in the end. In perspective. I started testing in January and began to sell locally about 2 weeks ago (August 3rd, I think). Long story short, if you're in it for the long haul and take the proper steps, it is worth it.
I was a little nervous about clicking on this because sometimes these videos can end up downers, but it’s really inspired me to pick back up my testing to get my product on Etsy!! Thanks Ashley 🥰🥰
Your videos are so comforting to me because they bring so much transparency that I think UA-cam really needs more of. I will plug in my AirPods, get to work on organizing, cleaning, or creating, and just absorb the words. I stated my candle company May of 2021 and it’s been such a wild ride, but your videos are always helpful. Thank you ❤️
Oh my goodness, you are too kind! I agree with the transparency and need for it as opposed to staged, scheduled and scripted videos! I'm glad our paths crossed!
My initial was almost $10,000 as well. The testing was a killer, but thankfully I am super happy with the finished product and was able to launch last week! You’re on point with everything you said.
As to why I am working to make candles, I am disabled and need a way to support myself. Candle making is one of the few things "in range" that I can do. I love how candle making is a lot like Alchemy. You combine certain ingredients, add a touch of fire, and create something that was never made before. That may be the fantasy view on it, but it is how I viewed candles for the last decade. I am still doing the initial leg work but the way I am going about this is not starting a small or side business but a business. I am not trying to disparage those who are looking to make some extra money, but I think starting with a different mindset would be more beneficial for me.
Making a candle is VERY different than making a business, a sustainable business. Nothing is easy about this. Congratulations to your successes Ashley!
Ashley, great video!!! I don’t see how someone can have a low budget to start a candle business and launch. I started 10 months ago and have spent a little over $8,000. I am a retired nurse, so I thought I was retired!!!! I have created a candle laboratory at home with 2 digiboil (brewzilla) and 2 wax melts that I purchased from Makesy. I work anywhere from 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week with candle making business. I am not ready to launch and decided to do events until I decide otherwise. Anyways thank you for all you do for us ..
Yes, I definitely don't see how some can be started at such a low investment. I never say it can't be done because who knows what someone is actually adding to their start up costs but this sounds about right from what I experienced!
You’re dead on, Ashley! I’m pretty sure I invested $10,000 into product, testing, and equipment. Patience and $$$ is key….testing, wading through the multitude of fragrances, waxes and wicks can be exhausting, not to mention the endless hours of setting up your business! Choosing the right equipment, computer, printer, etc…and then it’s time to start thinking about branding and creating your labels, setting up your website, social media. There are definitely not enough hours in the day. But, what a fun ride it is!!!
I have to agree with Ashley in everything she just said. Candle making is not cheap.. the investment is pretty pricey and it's actually keep going up. But I love what I do I have a passion for what I do. So I'm totally invested in it.
Hi Ashley, my name is John, I think your video has come out at the right time. I am just a couple months into my candle making journey and to start with my reason why is my fiancée. In the coming years if we are blessed with a family, I am starting now to get my little candle business up and running for her. Finances are always a concern when you rely on your 9-5, thinking ahead in life I am going to need something to help relieve that stress from myself of possibly having a lost of stream of income. Because it is my goal to give her the option of either working or raising our children. So starting now will give me that time to test and test and also bring in new items separate of candle and wax as we look to start a health and beauty line as well. I gave myself a 6 month goal of start to launch and right now I am starting to move to the scent testing phase after I have gotten a decent idea of which wicks I want to continue with and further testing. Thank you for your videos
As always your video was thought provoking and comforting at the same time. I am getting ready to launch and just signed up for my first larger craft fair. I have been testing, testing, and more testing and have spent probably close to 10K getting set up.
It sounds like you are right on track! Thats about what I spent and while I could have cut corners and cut cost, Its just the route I took! You've got this!
I agree with you! I spent several thousand for testing and launch and prices have gone up significantly in the last year and a half. Repeat customers are what keep my business going. Getting new customers is a lot harder than selling to those who have already tried my products. What are your best tips for reaching new customers? Have a great week!
Hey. Just throwing it out there that I usually have candles on me and when I get the opportunity (a quiet moment standing around people who might just be waiting, or something) I usually pitch the phrase.. hey, I was wondering.. do you like soy candles by chance? Then it usually goes on from there as I have basically a business in a backpack. Hope it helps.
Thank you!! Having a business is wonderful. Even better when it's something that's enjoyable 😉. I tried the $500 budget... nope nope nope. BC testing is so important. Why just put any ole thing in folks home. Quality, due diligence and time. This business is not for the faint of heart.
Ashley, you are the bomb! I have a question on the need to launch. While I eventually intend to offer lots of scents, I will start with one. I will be working on my website. My branding. Getting feedback. Making sales at shows and online. Do I tell people I am not launched yet? What's the difference doing business launched or unlaunched? I'd love your pearls of wisdom on this. Thanks!
I think what you are mentioning is more of a soft launch or something that isn't as official as the big release. I would work though word of mouth or friends for the one scent as you work on the behind the scenes pieces that you mentioned. You could call it "unlaunched" but I'd really consider your launch the date to promote, broadcast and showcase to the general public.
All the feels 🤦🏽♀️ Ashley thank you for your transparency. In addition to all the questions you mentioned…I am going crazy trying to figure out the wicking for the makesy 5 oz vessels. I reached out to Makesy and I’m still waiting …is there an email where I can email you for advice please?
You are so welcome! I'm not the best resource for this as there are so many different variables. I think there are some makers out there that are great about wicking advice!
A friend kind of mentioned to me as to why would I make candles since there is just so many makers. How do you feel about that or maybe a video on your opinion please
I have a video that is focused on inspiration vs. copying coming up but the more I feel this myself and get asked the topic around "it's saturated" the more I realize it needs its own airtime. The cliff notes: yes, there are SO many makers. Even in my two years doing this I've seen an influx and human nature is to scoff at the saturation and have the reverse scarcity approach of there's TOO many out there. I've witnessed over time that someone doing something similar has nothing to do with my foothold in the market. I'm more so in competition with myself than I am with the vendor down the street meaning, if I'm doing the work, finding the joy and finding my niche of people who support my products, the rest is irrelevant. okay this needs to be a video - ha!
Agreed there are alot of makers but not alot that are testing and perfecting their craft. Stand out from the bunch and focus on putting your best product forward. It's easy to get caught up on reasons why this won't work or that there are to many of us out there but if your enjoying what you're doing and you're darn good at it why let someone else's opinion steer you away from doing something you enjoy.
I just want to cry honestly, i feel bad. I spend a month looking for information. My toddler not getting my time cos im always on my phone. I bought things for 150pounds. (Im from uk) thats a lot for me. Im not working now.and we are struggling so much with finances, so i though i can work from home . I already can see its going to be difficult, but after this video i just started crying. I dont have money...thousands? ? I thought its really enough to begin with 300£ . im so stupid .i wasted and money and my time. Again dont know what to do in my life😭😭 Why all people saying just start just dont give up...yeah...waist more money and time and all and up in the bin.
HI there! I truly hope one video of my experience doesn't deter you entirely from something that you care about. I think it all has to be relative to you, your journey and your drive to make it happen! Good luck!
Ashley you hit the nail on head with many of your points. There is no way I can understand how people go from starting to launching a candle business with $500. Here in Texas your LLC filing alone is $300 and that's if you submit it on your own. I am a little over 3k in and I haven't even launched yet.
I agree! There are so many that scoff at others who spend thousands on starting their business, while they state they started their business with $500. That's just not possible unless they aren't testing AT ALL. Like you said, my business license and getting my name registered is close to a thousand alone.
Yeah the math quickly does not add up. Sometimes I wonder if those who mention that $ point are doing it for a hobby, friends and family or something that isn't apples and oranges but more so just a talking point to brag or cause a little ripple effect.
Agreed!
I fell for that too and can agree I easily have spent about $2k-$3k. I think those stating otherwise, simply never filed their LLC, trademark, insurance, sellers licence, funded a website to launch and probably sell candles without caring about the quality of their performance, or customer at all. They usually don't last long in this field and then claim it isn't profitable when things go south.
You may not beat those people on price (because they shop for the cheapest materials possible); but you can beat them on quality, safety, customer service and customer satisfaction. That, listed with a fair price, will always bring in customers and have people looking for you in the end.
In perspective. I started testing in January and began to sell locally about 2 weeks ago (August 3rd, I think). Long story short, if you're in it for the long haul and take the proper steps, it is worth it.
Me too. Starting now.
I was a little nervous about clicking on this because sometimes these videos can end up downers, but it’s really inspired me to pick back up my testing to get my product on Etsy!! Thanks Ashley 🥰🥰
ok first of all, your comment just made my day because thats exactly what I wanted to evoke with this topic! You've got this and enjoy what's next!
Your videos are so comforting to me because they bring so much transparency that I think UA-cam really needs more of. I will plug in my AirPods, get to work on organizing, cleaning, or creating, and just absorb the words. I stated my candle company May of 2021 and it’s been such a wild ride, but your videos are always helpful. Thank you ❤️
Oh my goodness, you are too kind! I agree with the transparency and need for it as opposed to staged, scheduled and scripted videos! I'm glad our paths crossed!
My initial was almost $10,000 as well. The testing was a killer, but thankfully I am super happy with the finished product and was able to launch last week! You’re on point with everything you said.
Congrats on your recent launch!
@@UpsideGoodsCo Thank you! 🙏
As to why I am working to make candles, I am disabled and need a way to support myself. Candle making is one of the few things "in range" that I can do. I love how candle making is a lot like Alchemy. You combine certain ingredients, add a touch of fire, and create something that was never made before. That may be the fantasy view on it, but it is how I viewed candles for the last decade.
I am still doing the initial leg work but the way I am going about this is not starting a small or side business but a business. I am not trying to disparage those who are looking to make some extra money, but I think starting with a different mindset would be more beneficial for me.
Thanks for sharing!
Making a candle is VERY different than making a business, a sustainable business. Nothing is easy about this. Congratulations to your successes Ashley!
So true!
I really enjoy your TikTok & UA-cam videos. I love your honesty and how real you are! We need more people like you Ashley 😊.
Thank you so much for this comment! I appreciate it greatly!
Ashley, great video!!! I don’t see how someone can have a low budget to start a candle business and launch. I started 10 months ago and have spent a little over $8,000. I am a retired nurse, so I thought I was retired!!!! I have created a candle laboratory at home with 2 digiboil (brewzilla) and 2 wax melts that I purchased from Makesy. I work anywhere from 10-12 hours a day 6 days a week with candle making business. I am not ready to launch and decided to do events until I decide otherwise. Anyways thank you for all you do for us ..
Yes, I definitely don't see how some can be started at such a low investment. I never say it can't be done because who knows what someone is actually adding to their start up costs but this sounds about right from what I experienced!
You’re dead on, Ashley! I’m pretty sure I invested $10,000 into product, testing, and equipment. Patience and $$$ is key….testing, wading through the multitude of fragrances, waxes and wicks can be exhausting, not to mention the endless hours of setting up your business! Choosing the right equipment, computer, printer, etc…and then it’s time to start thinking about branding and creating your labels, setting up your website, social media. There are definitely not enough hours in the day. But, what a fun ride it is!!!
A fun, wild, stressful and exciting ride. YES!
I have to agree with Ashley in everything she just said. Candle making is not cheap.. the investment is pretty pricey and it's actually keep going up. But I love what I do I have a passion for what I do. So I'm totally invested in it.
TRUTH!
Hi Ashley, my name is John, I think your video has come out at the right time. I am just a couple months into my candle making journey and to start with my reason why is my fiancée. In the coming years if we are blessed with a family, I am starting now to get my little candle business up and running for her. Finances are always a concern when you rely on your 9-5, thinking ahead in life I am going to need something to help relieve that stress from myself of possibly having a lost of stream of income. Because it is my goal to give her the option of either working or raising our children. So starting now will give me that time to test and test and also bring in new items separate of candle and wax as we look to start a health and beauty line as well. I gave myself a 6 month goal of start to launch and right now I am starting to move to the scent testing phase after I have gotten a decent idea of which wicks I want to continue with and further testing. Thank you for your videos
It sounds like you have a great, well-thought out approach to this! I wish you nothing but luck and abundance with your business.
As always your video was thought provoking and comforting at the same time. I am getting ready to launch and just signed up for my first larger craft fair. I have been testing, testing, and more testing and have spent probably close to 10K getting set up.
It sounds like you are right on track! Thats about what I spent and while I could have cut corners and cut cost, Its just the route I took! You've got this!
I agree with you! I spent several thousand for testing and launch and prices have gone up significantly in the last year and a half. Repeat customers are what keep my business going. Getting new customers is a lot harder than selling to those who have already tried my products. What are your best tips for reaching new customers? Have a great week!
Repeat customers literally make life grand! Markets and social media are my livelihood when it comes to reaching new customers!
Hey. Just throwing it out there that I usually have candles on me and when I get the opportunity (a quiet moment standing around people who might just be waiting, or something) I usually pitch the phrase.. hey, I was wondering.. do you like soy candles by chance? Then it usually goes on from there as I have basically a business in a backpack.
Hope it helps.
Great info and breakdown. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you!! Having a business is wonderful. Even better when it's something that's enjoyable 😉. I tried the $500 budget... nope nope nope. BC testing is so important. Why just put any ole thing in folks home. Quality, due diligence and time. This business is not for the faint of heart.
Totally agree!
Ashley, you are the bomb! I have a question on the need to launch. While I eventually intend to offer lots of scents, I will start with one. I will be working on my website. My branding. Getting feedback. Making sales at shows and online. Do I tell people I am not launched yet? What's the difference doing business launched or unlaunched? I'd love your pearls of wisdom on this. Thanks!
I think what you are mentioning is more of a soft launch or something that isn't as official as the big release. I would work though word of mouth or friends for the one scent as you work on the behind the scenes pieces that you mentioned. You could call it "unlaunched" but I'd really consider your launch the date to promote, broadcast and showcase to the general public.
@@UpsideGoodsCo thanks!
All the feels 🤦🏽♀️ Ashley thank you for your transparency. In addition to all the questions you mentioned…I am going crazy trying to figure out the wicking for the makesy 5 oz vessels. I reached out to Makesy and I’m still waiting …is there an email where I can email you for advice please?
You are so welcome! I'm not the best resource for this as there are so many different variables. I think there are some makers out there that are great about wicking advice!
@@UpsideGoodsCo thank you 😊
A friend kind of mentioned to me as to why would I make candles since there is just so many makers. How do you feel about that or maybe a video on your opinion please
I have a video that is focused on inspiration vs. copying coming up but the more I feel this myself and get asked the topic around "it's saturated" the more I realize it needs its own airtime. The cliff notes: yes, there are SO many makers. Even in my two years doing this I've seen an influx and human nature is to scoff at the saturation and have the reverse scarcity approach of there's TOO many out there. I've witnessed over time that someone doing something similar has nothing to do with my foothold in the market. I'm more so in competition with myself than I am with the vendor down the street meaning, if I'm doing the work, finding the joy and finding my niche of people who support my products, the rest is irrelevant. okay this needs to be a video - ha!
Agreed there are alot of makers but not alot that are testing and perfecting their craft. Stand out from the bunch and focus on putting your best product forward. It's easy to get caught up on reasons why this won't work or that there are to many of us out there but if your enjoying what you're doing and you're darn good at it why let someone else's opinion steer you away from doing something you enjoy.
@@mhatch8946 wow thank you I needed to hear this. 🙏🏼💜
Ashely I would love a 1:1 coaching with you at some stage xxx ❤️
Great, please email me and we can set that up!
I just want to cry honestly, i feel bad. I spend a month looking for information. My toddler not getting my time cos im always on my phone. I bought things for 150pounds. (Im from uk) thats a lot for me. Im not working now.and we are struggling so much with finances, so i though i can work from home . I already can see its going to be difficult, but after this video i just started crying. I dont have money...thousands? ? I thought its really enough to begin with 300£ . im so stupid .i wasted and money and my time. Again dont know what to do in my life😭😭
Why all people saying just start just dont give up...yeah...waist more money and time and all and up in the bin.
HI there! I truly hope one video of my experience doesn't deter you entirely from something that you care about. I think it all has to be relative to you, your journey and your drive to make it happen! Good luck!
I might want to have a 30 with you, since im just startung out and I have many questions to ask you.
Go ahead and phone a candle making friend, I got you!
Me as well ! Very much needed
You so sweet
Well thank you!