How to Start a Candle Business From Home (6 Easy Steps)

Many of us dream of starting a business from home as it is an appealing option, especially for those looking to avoid large initial investments and are afraid to take a huge risk with their savings. If you are thinking about how to start a candle business with no money, and are worried about startup costs, the good news is that it is entirely possible to start it with little to no money.

With growing consumer demand for artisanal, eco-friendly, and customized candles, the market offers various opportunities for creative individuals looking to do something. 

By using items available in your house, reusing materials, and employing cost-effective marketing strategies, you can easily launch a successful home-based candle business without a huge investment. In this article, you will find a detailed step-by-step guide on how to start a candle business with minimal resources.

Why Starting a Candle Business is Profitable?

The candle business has experienced tremendous growth recently. Candles are becoming popular as more individuals have started to invest in wellness, self-care, and home décor.

Candle use is becoming more and more popular, whether it’s for aromatherapy, meditation, or just creating a warm atmosphere in a space. Starting a candle business is a great idea because of the following reasons:

Low Startup Costs: Making candles doesn’t require costly supplies or equipment, in contrast to other enterprises. You can begin modestly with simple materials.

Niche Flexibility: It’s okay to try out several candle kinds, such as scented, unscented, ornamental, environmentally friendly, or even personalized ones.

High Demand for Hand-Made Products: A growing number of consumers are looking for artisanal, handcrafted goods that have a unique and personal feel.

Plus, you may simply start small and expand organically if you approach your business with a clear plan and a budget-friendly mindset.

Types of Candles

Before you begin your search on how to start a candle business from home or with no money, you need to know the types of candles that are in demand. There are various types of homemade candles that you can make and sell. Every customer is unique and has a preference when it comes to buying candles. 

As there is a huge variety, this gives any new business an edge to capitalize on the gaps available in the market. Following are some of the best-selling candles that you can sell in your business.

1. Soy Candles

Soy candles are a great choice due to their eco-friendly nature. Made from soybeans, they burn cleanly, emit little soot, and last longer than paraffin candles. Soy wax is smooth and easy to work with. Because of this, it is an excellent choice for beginners who wish to make scented or colored candles.

Materials Needed

• Soy wax flakes ( can melt easily and is plant-based)
• Fragrance oils
• Cotton wicks
• Dye chips or liquid dyes (optional)

2. Beeswax Candles

The aroma of beeswax candles is natural and sweet, and they burn for a very long time. They release negative ions into the air, making them environmentally friendly as well.

For anyone who prefers a more natural product without extra chemicals or scents, especially in a place surrounded by babies, these candles are perfect.

Materials Needed:

• Beeswax sheets or pellets
• Cotton or wooden wicks 
• Essential oils (optional)

3. Scented Candles

Scented candles are designed to create a nice aroma in a space. These are the best options for anyone trying to set a seasonal, peaceful, or energetic mood in their house. These candles have a broad range of aroma options, which adds to their appeal. They are very popular and you must make them. These are also considered to be the best candles as people prefer to experience different fragrances in different seasons.

Materials Needed:

• Wax (soy, beeswax, or paraffin)
• Fragrance oils
• Wicks
• Candle dye (optional)

4. Aromatherapy Candles

Aromatherapy candles are specifically made to promote wellness by using essential oils that provide therapeutic benefits. Depending on the oils used, these candles are frequently used for energy boosts, relaxation, and meditation. All-natural, soothing elements are highlighted.

Materials Needed:

• Soy wax or beeswax
• Therapeutic-grade essential oils
• Cotton wicks
• Dried herbs or flowers (optional)

 5. Vegan Candles

Vegan candles are made solely with products derived from plants. They appeal to customers who value the environment and who favour cruelty-free goods. Because of their clean burning characteristics and sustainability, soy, and coconut waxes are widely used around the globe

Materials Needed:

• Soy or coconut wax
• Hemp or cotton wicks
• Vegan fragrance oils
• Natural dyes (optional)

6. Decorative Candles (Shaped or Sculpted)

These candles are only made for aesthetics. By using silicone molds, these types of candles are frequently fashioned into flowers, animals, or other complex shapes. While useful, they are more typically employed as decorative elements and preferred by content creators to be used in their pictures or videos.

Material Needed:

• Wax (soy or paraffin)
• Silicone molds
• Dyes and mica powders
• Wicks

7. Floating Candles 

These candles are small, disc-shaped candles which are made to float on water They are frequently used as party and wedding centrepieces or in ornamental bowls. These candles emit gentle lighting and are lightweight.

Materials Needed:

• Paraffin or soy wax
• Floating candle molds
• Wicks
• Dye (optional)

Some other types include pillar candles, gel candles, wood wick cables, massage candles, and pressed flower candles.

How to Start A Candle Business

1. Discover Your Niche

Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Create a unique selling proposition for your business. You need to have a unique selling point that distinguishes your product from others.

 Following are some points that you can focus on to achieve this:

• Eco-friendly materials: Use natural products and repurposed or recycled vessels as many customers make a conscious choice while investing in something and eco-friendly products are on the rise.
• Aromatherapy-focused candles: Candles infused with essential oils to promote better sleep or reduce stress.
• Seasonal or themed candles: Consider making some candles for the holidays, for unique events, or even candles with customized designs. You could focus on launching unique one-time products with different and attractive designs for Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas holidays.

Since you are starting with little to no money, make use of what you have instead of investing in something new.

Market Research on a Budget

To find out what people want, you don’t have to work with a market research company at the start. Make use of free internet resources such as: 

• Social Media Groups: Facebook groups and forums about small businesses or candle businesses can provide a lot of information. It’s all real-time information as startups and already successful business owners hang out there. 
• Study Reddit Threads: You can also learn a lot about trends and consumer choice by browsing subreddits like r/smallbusiness and r/candlemaking.
• Instagram & Pinterest:  Start following popular candle-making accounts or search hashtags like #homemadecandles to see what’s trending on these platforms and incorporate that into your business.

If you are starting a business for the first time, then it is essential for you to know about the steps needed to start a business. Here is a detailed guide on how to start a business. Here, you find a detailed guidance about registering a business, complying with legal obligations, and basically everything you need in order to start and grow your business.

2. Ingredients and Equipment – Start with What You Have

You might have heard that starting a business requires a ton of investment. There is a misconception that you have to invest in tools and new equipment. But when you think of how to start a candle business, you don’t need to buy anything as you pretty much have everything in your home.

Using Household Items

You don’t need any professional equipment to make candles. Many of the required things can be easily found in your kitchen.

• Use old pots for melting wax.
• Use measuring cups for accurately measuring everything.
• Use clean wooden or silicone spatulas to stir the wax.
• For candle molds, you can use containers, mason jars, or old candle jars.

Sourcing Wax and Wicks for Free

Now, as you are looking to start this business with little to no money, focus on using everything you have. Here is how you can get basic materials for your candles.

Upcycling Old Candles: If you have old candles sitting in your cupboard, you can melt them down, strain the wax, and use it for new candles.

DIY Wicks: You can easily make wicks from cotton twine, by using fabric strips soaked in a solution of borax and water. Paper clips or any thin wire can be used to hold the wicks until the wax sets.

Using Natural Scents from Home

One of the most basic ingredients in the candle business is scents. Now, instead of buying new scents, look into your pantry or garden for some natural scents.

• Coffee Beans or Cinnamon sticks can be ground and added to the melted wax to create a candle that has a warm, cozy, and inviting scent.
• Vanilla essence can be used to give a feel of a rich, sugary, and sweet scent.
• Citrus peels from oranges and lemons can provide a very refreshing aroma.
• Flowers like lavender or rosemary can also be ground and added to your candles for a natural fragrance.

In case you are looking to set up a proper business from scratch and looking for some ways to get funds, here are some of the best ways to find funding for small businesses.

3. Create Your First Batch

Now that we have all the necessary materials, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create candles.

Step-by-Step Candle-Making Process

1. Melt the wax: Melt the wax, whether old or new, in a heatproof container or pot using the double boiling method.
2. Prepare the wick: Place the DIY wick in the center of the container using a fab of melted wax or a wick holder of your choice.
3. Add fragrance or colours: Once the wax has completely melted, add in your natural scents or any colouring of your choice and stir it thoroughly.
4. Pour the wax: Carefully pour the wax into your jar, and leave a little space at the top.
5. Let the candles set: Allow the candles to cool down and solidify. After that, trim the excessive wick and leave a quarter of it above the wax.

Just keep in mind, that since you are just starting this business, your first batch may not be perfect. Make sure to test your candles for scents, colouring, burn time, and wick performance, and make adjustments accordingly.

4. Branding on a Budget

When you are starting a business on a tight budget, you don’t need to invest in marketing strategies to make a name for yourself. Here is how you can build a brand on a tight budget.

DIY Branding

• Create a logo using Canva which offers a variety of templates to use for free.
• Keep your packaging simple. Use thrifted containers or jars. Add a simple ribbon or a hand-drawn label to add a personal touch.
• Create a story for your brand and sell it. Customers love brands with a story. Share your journey and the reason behind starting this particular brand.

Social Media Presence

You don’t need to start running social media ads right away. Make your social media profiles on Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok. Post photos of your candles, share your story, and engage with potential customers.

5. Marketing and Selling Candles for Free

Here are a few marketing strategies that you can use to promote your candles for free.

Leveraging Social Media

• Content Creation: Use your smartphone to take high-quality pictures of your candles.  Share behind-the-scenes and post small vlogs of yourself making or assembling the candles. This increases engagement and attracts new customers.
• Instagram Reels and TikTok: You can share some snippets of making candles or explaining how they are made. This technique can make you go viral.

Engaging Local Communities

• Local Facebook Groups: Several small local business-related Facebook groups allow small business owners to post their products and engage with customers. This will give you a great chance to start selling locally and build a customer base.
• Nextdoor: Find creative ways to promote your business in your local community and offer free delivery to neighbours or some other gift as a bonus to get your business on the road.

Selling on Free Platforms

Creating a website requires some investment so there is no need to go for it in the start. Instead, you could consider one of the following options.

• Etsy: List your products on Etsy for free. 
• Facebook Marketplace: You could start by selling your products on the Facebook marketplace.

6. Scaling Your Business on a Tight Budget

Once the business has started to make some sales, it’s time for you to think about scaling it. 

Take any profits that you have made from your initial sales and invest them back into the business. Buy new raw materials, invest in packaging, and also put some money aside to market your business.

You can use platforms like Wix or WordPress to create your free website.

Common Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Time Management: When you run a business, especially from your home, every single task takes time. Just set realistic goals and balance them with other responsibilities.

Minimal Resources: At first, you may find yourself with little resources. This is where creativity comes in place. For cost-cutting, look for free internet videos, thrift for materials, and make do with what you have.

Sustainability: Customers prefer to choose eco-friendly items. Focus on recycling old containers, use natural materials, and make sustainability a part of your business.

Legal Considerations When Starting at Home

Home-Based Business Licenses: Depending on where you live, you may require a small company license to work from home. Consult your local government for precise requirements.

Insurance & Safety: Liability insurance is recommended for all businesses, including small businesses. Making candles requires you to take some precautionary measures as you are dealing with hot wax that can burn the skin.

Labelling and Safety Standards: Make sure that you add adequate warning labels and mention combustible properties on the labels of your candles. This is extremely necessary and results in heavy fines if you fail to follow this rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Start a Candle Business – The Bottom Line

Starting a candle business from the comfort of home is very much possible but it does come with a little bit of challenges like any other business.  By following the 6 steps mentioned in this article, one can easily start a candle business from their home and grow it with time. Every kind of business needs to continuously improve itself, take customer feedback as constructive criticism, and work on improving their products and customer satisfaction.

If you plan everything properly and continue to make consistent efforts, you can easily turn it into a successful, profitable business. This is a very easy and reliable way to create an income stream that gives you the liberty to eventually work for yourself rather than working for others.

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