Candle Business PRO

#030 Are you stuck in the "testing phase" of your candle business? Do you feel like you can't launch until you have the perfect logo, a $5,000 website, and custom packaging? In this episode, we’re busting the myth of the "Perfect Launch." I’m sharing the story of how Garnet Beacon Candle Co. launched with a choppy, blocky Canva logo and still grew to over $550k/year in ret...

#029 The clearest sign your candle business needs help isn’t a feeling, it’s a pattern: you’re saying no to great markets, customer emails are slipping, or sales have flatlined because you’re out of hours. We break down a practical path to hire with confidence, protect your quality, and regain capacity to grow without jumping straight to a full-time payroll commitment. We start by separating worki...

We walk through the 15 real reasons candle businesses stall and how to fix them with clear actions. From niche and numbers to branding, email, and mindset, the aim is a repeatable plan that turns great candles into steady sales. • defining a niche you belong to and customer research • building systems for batching, production, budgeting, inventory • tracking analytics to spot trends and pivot • re...

#027 We answer real maker questions on scaling a candle business with practical tactics: diversify sales channels, build a quality email list, test wicks with confidence, and choose the right places to sell. Clear steps, real numbers, and tools you can use today. • diversifying beyond social into website, wholesale, private label, and fundraisers • using email as the primary promotional tool with...

We map a clear path from retail maker to confident wholesaler with a six-part readiness framework, real pricing math, and a simple outreach system that lands reorders. The focus stays on consistent sourcing, fast fulfillment, and building fewer but better accounts. • shifting from retail mindset to a wholesale model • choosing stable jars, waxes and oils for consistency • pricing cleanly for true...

#025.  Shoppers are sprinting for 50% off electronics, but your candles can still win the weekend with one bold, simple offer, fast shipping, and a clear story. We break down the exact Black Friday-to-Cyber Monday system we use to spark action, reduce friction, and turn first-time buyers into repeat customers through December. We start with discount psychology and why 25% often blends into the noi...

#024. This is Part 2 with tips 6-10. To get tips 1-5, check out episode #010.  We share tips six through ten for building a real candle business, not just making candles. We break down niche selection, email-first marketing, market feedback, legal musts, and why social followers don’t equal sales, then wrap with a bonus mindset shift. • choosing a niche that creates superfans • defining target cus...

#023 We map out every sales channel that keeps our candle business profitable, from storefronts and Shopify to Amazon, wholesale, markets, parties, fundraisers, subscriptions, private label, email, and press. Along the way we share pricing rules, calendar timing, and systems that turn interest into daily sales. • separating home and work to avoid burnout • setting up Shopify with strong photos and...

#022 We shift from making more to selling better and lay out a practical plan to build a timeless candle brand around a classic line. Trends fade, but focus, systems, and the right sales channels turn a small catalog into real growth. • why a classic year‑round line beats seasonal hype • letting customers decide your signature scent • the real costs of adding more products • supplier turnover risk...

#021 We answer real candle business questions from startup costs and profitability timelines to wicks, seasonal strategy, scaling beyond the kitchen, and cutting COGS, using hard numbers and simple steps. We share exactly what worked for us as we grew from $1.5k invested to $1.5M in sales. • startup budget realities and lean inventory planning • niching down, target customer clarity, and faster te...

#020 and Part 9 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** A one-page press release can change your entire demand curve—if it’s written for real people on deadline. We walk through the exact PR playbook that took our candle brand from a spare-room studio to local T...

#019 and Part 9 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Wholesale strategies can transform a small candle business into a thriving enterprise, creating opportunities for expanded reach and increased sales without relying solely on direct-to-consumer channels. •...

#018 and Part 8 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** This week's episode recaps the 8-week journey of building a candle business from scratch, covering everything from setting foundations to overcoming roadblocks with the new brand "wthout." •...

#017 and Part 7 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** This week I shares eight effective marketing strategies for candle entrepreneurs to implement before officially launching their businesses, drawing from his experience growing Garsnett Beacon Candle Company...

#016 and Part 6 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Wondering why visitors browse your candle website but don't buy? The difference between attracting traffic and converting sales often comes down to specific website elements that build trust and create...

#015 and Part 5 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Sabastian shares strategies for rapidly testing candles, selecting strategic sales channels for an elevated brand, and determining profitable pricing for the new gender-neutral "Without" candle li...

#014 and Part 4 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Today I'll share essential strategies for sourcing supplies when starting a new candle business, emphasizing the importance of building on reliable, long-term available products rather than trendy item...

#013 and Part 3 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Ready to transform your candle business from DIY to polished professional? This week we're diving deep into the art and science of visual branding—the key to creating instant trust with your ideal cust...

#012 and Part 2 of Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** We dive into the critical process of selecting and protecting your candle brand name, focusing on trademark registration, domain acquisition, and establishing a professional online presence. This week conti...

#011 and Part 1 of our Build A Candle Business series.  **This special series is brought to you by ToAuto Wax Melters. Our listeners will get a special deal at checkout when they use this link . ** Ready to build a candle business that stands out from the crowd? You've found your starting point. This episode kicks off an exciting 12-week journey where I'll be creating a completely new ca...

#010 Building a successful candle business requires strategic planning and avoiding common pitfalls that can derail your progress before you reach success. We share five critical lessons learned from growing our business to over a million dollars in sales. • Start with six well-chosen scents instead of ten or more to test market response without overwhelming yourself • Focus on customer favorites:...

#009 Today I break down the advantages of each Shopify and Etsy based on business goals, sharing specific strategies for leveraging both marketplaces effectively. • Etsy provides immediate access to millions of potential buyers with built-in traffic • Competition on Etsy is fierce with thousands of candle sellers competing for visibility • Etsy's total fees can reach 21.5% per sale (listing f...

#008 Social media should be a tool for growing your candle business, not a source of burnout and frustration. Today we explore why being selective about your social platforms leads to better results than trying to be everywhere at once. • More platforms doesn't equal more success - most customers only follow you on one or two at most • Rushed content gets low engagement - algorithms reward qu...

#007 Wondering how much it really costs to start a candle business in 2025? In this episode of the Candle Business PRO Podcast, I break down the actual startup costs of launching a successful candle brand, from testing and tools to legal setup and inventory. As the co-founder of a million-dollar candle business, I’ve helped hundreds of makers plan smarter and spend wisely. Whether you're star...

#006 I share our journey of starting a candle business while working full-time jobs, detailing strategies to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and stay motivated through the process.  • Finding 5-10 hours weekly to work ON your business (not just making candles) is essential for growth • Track your time usage and identify areas where you can reclaim hours from activities like social media...