✅ Step 1: Choose Your Candle Type & Niche

🔥 Decide What Kind of Candles to Make:

Pick a candle style that suits your creativity and market. Popular types include soy candles, beeswax, wood wick, crystal-embedded, or aromatherapy candles.

• Scented soy candles
• Minimalist travel tins
• Luxury glass jar candles
• Intention or chakra candles

🎯 Find Your Niche:

Your niche helps you stand out. It could be eco-friendly packaging, gender-neutral scents, spiritual themes, or handmade aesthetics.

• Eco-conscious branding
• Mood-based (focus, sleep, love)
• Event-based (wedding favors, gifts)
• Locally inspired scents

✅ Step 2: Research the Market & Plan

📊 Understand Demand & Competitors:

Browse Etsy, Instagram, or marketplaces to find what styles and price points are working. Look at bestsellers and customer reviews.

🧾 Plan Your Offerings:

Create a simple plan: what candle sizes you'll offer, how much each will cost to make, and where you’ll sell them.

• 3-5 signature scents
• Different sizes (mini, standard, large)
• Budget for supplies and packaging

✅ Step 3: Learn the Craft & Practice

🧪 Start Learning:

Use free or paid resources to master candle making basics: wax melting, wick sizing, fragrance blending, and safety tips.

🔁 Test Small Batches:

Start with test batches before selling. Note scent throw (cold/hot), burn time, and how the candle sets after cooling.

✅ Step 4: Source Materials & Tools

📦 Candle Making Essentials:

Gather quality materials to ensure safety and performance. Always buy a small amount first to test quality before bulk ordering.

• Wax (soy, beeswax, coconut)
• Wicks (cotton, wood, pre-tabbed)
• Fragrance oils or essential oils
• Jars, tins, or molds
• Pouring pitcher, thermometer, scale

🔍 Where to Buy Supplies:

Check local suppliers, Amazon, or specialized sites like CandleScience or Makesy (depending on your location).

✅ Step 5: Develop Your Product Line

🕯️ Create Core Products:

Build a collection with a theme - such as seasonal scents, mood sets, or locally inspired collections. Keep it simple and cohesive.

🎁 Design Labels & Packaging:

Labels should include scent name, burn time, safety info, and ingredients. Choose containers and packaging that reflect your brand (rustic, luxury, minimal).

✅ Step 6: Pricing Strategy

💰 How to Price:

Factor in material cost, time, packaging, and overhead. Use a markup of at least 2.5× your cost to stay profitable.

(Materials + Packaging + Labor) × 2.5 or 3 = Retail Price

📌 Example:

• Material cost per candle: $4
• Packaging + time: $2
• Total: $6 → Retail Price: $15–$18

✅ Step 7: Set Up Your Online Presence

🌐 Where to Sell:

Create a storefront online and list your products with clear photos and descriptions. Use Etsy, Shopify, or a simple Instagram store.

• Instagram + WhatsApp or Linktree
• Etsy or your own website (Shopify/Wix)
• Local Facebook groups or pop-up events

📸 Promote Visually:

High-quality photos and videos matter. Share pouring videos, scent stories, and candle lighting clips to build emotional connection.

✅ Step 8: Market & Launch

🚀 Launch Tips:

Start with a pre-launch teaser campaign. Share your brand story, show sneak peeks, and collect early interest.

• Giveaway before launch
• “Behind the scenes” stories
• First-buyer discount code

📢 Ongoing Promotion:

Keep engagement going through scent-based posts, seasonal promotions, or collabs with lifestyle influencers or small brands.

✅ Step 9: Order Fulfillment & Delivery

🧾 Handling Orders:

Use forms or store checkouts. Track orders using Google Sheets or order management tools like Notion or Trello.

📦 Packing & Shipping:

Wrap candles securely with padding. Include care cards and a thank-you note. Offer gift wrapping as an upsell.

• Use kraft boxes, fillers, and fragile stickers
• Courier via Shiprocket, USPS, etc.
• Offer local pickup or same-day delivery (if possible)

✅ Step 10: Scale & Diversify

📈 Expand Slowly:

Once you’ve got traction, consider adding more scents, bundles, or wholesale options. Listen to feedback and improve products.

• Add seasonal collections (e.g., Festive, Valentine’s)
• Launch DIY candle kits
• Offer private label candles for other brands
• Sell in boutiques, salons, or gift stores

A candle-making business allows you to blend creativity with commerce. Focus on quality, branding, and scent storytelling to connect with your audience and build a loyal customer base.