All About a Candle Home Business

A candle home business can be operated in two different ways. Retail sales involves becoming a distributor and selling candles bought at wholesales prices from candle companies. The other option is to make your own candles to sell. Here we look at retail sales and what it involves. For a free guide to making your own candles and selling them go to Making and Selling Candles as a Home Based Business

Retail Sales

You can earn money with a candle home business through retail sales. This means that once you have decided to become a distributor you purchase the candles at wholesale or discount prices from the candle companies. You then sell the candles at a retail or higher price and keep the profit. There are many ways to retail wholesale candles - home parties, office parties, face to face selling, gift baskets, shows and expos, corporate gifts, farmer and flea markets, beauty salons and day spas, craft shows.

Use these guidelines to help decide if candle retail sales is the right home business idea for you.

What skills and abilities are needed?

Will a candle home business suit you? Consider what is needed to run a successful candle retail sales business.

• An outgoing personality. To be successful and sell the candles you will need to market and network with a variety of people. You should feel comfortable meeting and engaging with new people on a regular basis. This home business opportunity will not suit someone who is shy and reserved.
• Selling skills. If you are marketing candles you really need to sell the product. You have to feel confident about your product and convince potential buyers that your candles are the best. You should be a good communciator with strong persuasive skills.
• Organisational skills. Effective time management and scheduling are needed to establish and carry out your sales plan.

Advantages of a candle home business

• A social business. If you love to be with other people and are outgoing then hosting parties and talking and selling to people can be lots of fun.
• Low start up costs. You do not need a large amount of money to start a candle home business. A number of candle companies give you the option of purchasing the candles after your customers have placed their orders. You will only need to purchase sample candles to show your potential customers. Carefully select a company in terms of the intial investment required.
• Product demand. According to the National Candle Association retail sales of candles in the U.S. is worth about $2 billion a year and 70 percent of households use candles. This means there is a huge and well established customer base to target.
• A large number of candle companies to choose from. A large number of direct sales candle companies advertise on the internet for distributors so there are many to choose from. If you are passionate about a particular type of candle select a company with products that you personally love. It is always easier to sell a product that you personally believe in. Remember to always thoroughly research a business opportunity before you make any decision. The National Candle Association has a list of membership companies and you can check with them.

Disadvantages of a candle home business

• Weeknd and evening work A large number of the hours you work selling your candles will be evening and weekends when people can attend home parties. It is a good idea to speak to other candle representatives and ask them what sort of hours they work.
• Competition. There are many people acting as direct sales agents for candle companies. Find out which companies have agents in your area and select a company that is not over represented.

Buying wholesale candles from a direct sales company and selling them on for retail value is a good candle home business option if you are not the creative or crafty type or you don't have the time to make your own candles. If you want to make your own candles and sell them go to

All About a Candle Making Home Business.

Tips for starting your own candle making business at home

How to make your own candles

How to price your candles

Marketing and selling candles

Small Business Licenses

Work at Home Crafts

With your own home candle business you can become part of a successful and profitable industry