You’ve always loved scented candles. You never ran out of them in your home. They give color and fragrance to the rooms in your house. Not to mention they keep your humble abode looking lit.
Also, scented candles cater to whatever mood you’re in. You’re stressed out; you light up a lavender-scented candle. You’re feeling sexy; there’s a vanilla-scented candle to get you even hotter. Yes, those candles come in handy. So, why not take your passion for scented candles to the next level? Why not transition from someone who buys to someone who sells?
If you want to seriously consider starting a homemade scented candle business, the first order of business is looking for suppliers of raw materials. These materials include paraffin wax, wick, dye, and fragrance oils. You need to allow yourself some time to practice and perfect the candle-making process. Once those are taken care of, you can go straight to branding your products. Here’s how.
Know what your brand is all about
You need to have a mission and vision statement. That is regardless of how small your business operation will be. Your mission statement will guide your daily to-dos. Here’s a sample mission: to produce high-quality candles that customers will love. Consider this mission as your reminder to prioritize quality assurance. As for the vision, that’s where you think long-term. Where you do want to take your candle business in, let’s say, ten years.
Know what your competitors are doing
This is not cheating. It’s research. Know the most successful scented candle brands in the market. See what they’re doing right in terms of branding and marketing. Also, look into the market segment they cater to. The insights you’ll get from this research will let you know the best business plan for your brand. For example, you can decide to compete for an established market, such as spas and restaurants. Or you can look into untapped markets with potential. Think students in need of scented candles for when they write papers or prepare for exams.
Come up with a memorable name, logo, and slogan
Your name, logo, and slogan will be your brand’s most recognizable aspects. Come to think of it. Candles pretty much look the same and smell the same. They’ll burn in approximately the same duration too. For your products to stand out, you need a memorable name, logo, and slogan. Come up with a name to which your target market will respond. The same rule applies to your logo and slogan. For example, if you want to zero in on the Gen Z crowd, something young and hip might do the job.
Mind the packaging
Invest in packaging. Do not settle with the old-school style of packaging products in boring boxes or bags. Think out of the box, as they say, while staying consistent with your branding. Remember that packaging enhances the customer experience. You can make it interactive. If your customers find your packaging delightful, they might take unboxing videos of your products. They will post them on social media. That’s free marketing for you.
Brand marketing
Here you cannot cut corners. You have to market as aggressively as possible. You’re competing with many names, after all. And some of them are already established. If you want to command a specific market, you need to get out of your way to meet your audience halfway.
Thankfully you do not have to break the bank to market your products. Social media’s at your disposal. You can devote a page for your brand on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Make sure to post relevant content. If you have the budget, you can commission online content. If not, you can share stuff you find online, which your target audience will enjoy. The key is to interact with your audience consistently. Get them interested in what you’re selling.
Candles will never go out of fashion, especially scented and decorative ones. You throw a dinner party; you need candles. You want to meditate; you light up some candles. With that said, this is a viable source of additional income. If your brand hits the jackpot, it can even be your main source of income. So if you’re looking for a business idea, and you happen to adore candles, this might be the best fit for you.
Plus, you no longer have to shop for candles to use. You can go to your storage and light one up straight from your homemade scented candle collection.