Don't Start A Candle Business

You're always 84 candles away from starting a candle business.

In this episode, Kevin breaks down why it's important to focus on the craft before diving into a new business adventure, introducing the 84 Candle Rule as guidance.

THIS COULD CHANGE CANDLE MAKING FOREVER

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👉 USE THE SAME EQUIPMENT AS ME

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Armatage Candle Company: Started in 2020 by Kevin Fischer to accelerate your candle making technique and business online.

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[briachaney]

I'm going to chewed for this but I was a candle hobbyist for two years before I started my business and honestly I've been successful due to YouTube videos and candle groups...not to be a copy cat but I took the recommendations given to me and it's worked for my brand. Perfect slow burns everytime. We live in an age of technology...why waste money on mistakes when you don't have to? Get on the internet and look at the diameter of your jars, see what wicks are compatible, what waxes and scents work well in combination. You'll be fine. Start you business, just be smart about it.

[tarabrunswick]

I don’t agree with this. You should test test test before you give out any candles. Burn them for a long time, assume your customers won’t trim their wicks, how long do your candles last, how is the hot throw, do they melt to the perimeter of the jar. And giving out 80 candles? Sounds like a huge waste of money when you could be selling. Give away 20 candles and in return ask them for feedback so you can learn from it. Overall it’s progress over perfection.

[kinyanicole]

Great advice. I just started making candles in Jan. I’ve never made them before and was kinda thrown into it. It’s now May and I have sold out of my candles at pop up shops, and in person sales. I sold out in 1 hour during my test launch!!!!

[nicole]

I’m already up to 45 and still doing my tests and making my choices! Super fun and each batch just gets better and better

[KrisOkoya]

I never knew anything about the “84 Candle Rule, ” but it’s amazing that starting out i started with samples and giving them away which well over 84. I had a kit first and fell in love with the hobby & decided to research more outside of a kit. And after my sampling phase I kept perfecting the craft. Fast forward, I’m almost a year in business & have had 5 launches and all have sold out. Thank you for this video, because I’ve been doing it right all this time.

[insightbytes]

I'm just doing them to give away as blessings. It's something to do to help cope, I have Asperger's and this is calming. I don't actually like selling anything. When I create them with the intent of giving, they are way more enjoyable to make! And I use old candles and recycle and clean the wax and containers. Every candle I make us one of a kind.

[kudzu_]

Never made a candle in my life and it's 2am. Just got done taking off an exhaust manifold on an engine with bolts that didn't want to come out in one piece, but now I'm prepared to go into the candle business if I ever choose to switch it up. Thanks, youtube algorithm?

[totallynoclue]

I’m glad I watched this. I thought from the title it was discouraging but it’s actually really helpful! I’m thinking about adding candles to my business but now I know I need to get comfortable with the craft first. It will also give me a chance to just have fun with it without any pressure!

[LojainDashti]

I’ve just hit my 65 candle mark! And still learning new skills and techniques.. thank you for this video.

[huegotthelook]

I have type 2 bipolar disorder which comes with a LOT of hobbies. I'm also just an entrepreneurial person by nature so almost every hobby becomes a business endeavor (last night I was saying that Bourbon and Bow Ties could be dyed green or grey and marketed under the name You're So Vain) and I just gotta say: if I'd seen this video before I started crochet, knit, cardmaking, etc etc etc... I could have saved my family and myself a LOT of pain and trouble. From personal experience I can say it's basically impossible to learn a new business AND a new craft at the same time. Thank you for putting this out there and potentially saving the hearts and bank accounts of people like me!

[tina]

I joined an international candle making group and I was so shocked by how they make Americans appear so "Im gonna sue every little things". When they are talking about insurance, they said even when you give out gifts and youre just starting out get insurance because people sues, even friends. I find this scary.

[janhoyle]

I’ve been making candles since the 1970s when I was a teen. I have skipped the testing because I’ve learned a lot about it in 50 years. I’ve perfected my craft. Now I need to learn how to sell & get cheap advertising on a 0 budget.

[Pilachio]

I don't understand why so many people are take issue with this video.

It basically just tells you to make sure your skill is developed, and that you know how to do business before starting one.

[beloit]

Love this so much and I cannot reiterate how many times you should make candles and test and reconfigure until you get something you are truly happy with. We kind of cheated in the sense of having two people in the business, one who is good at the craft/logistics and then the other who is good at sales/development. Thank you so much for sharing!

[beyoutifullyunique]

Great video! I have probably made over 100 tests candles at this point 😩. I never thought going into this it would ever be like this, but I think I’ve finally gotten my formula down with the proper wicks for my jar that I like. I still have a lot more to do. When your patient and passionate about what you’re doing it will all work itself out. 😊 I’m never giving up.

[raquelanderson]

Exactly what I was trying to tell people.. i want to learn the craft and provide a quality product.

[The-Grateful-Hippie]

While not making candles, I can apply this to the cold proccess soap I want to add to my product line. I'm deep into R&D right now and with a 4-6 week cure time trying different formulas and suppliers. My husband keeps asking when do I start selling and I keep reminding him not till next year some time.

[kandyhansard]

Spot on advice. I've been at this for the last 5 years. Yes, I've made some really nice candles, but my curiosity gets the best of me and I am always trying out different waxes, F.O.s and wicks to see what works best with all of the choices. Early on, I tried mixing making with business...a big fat flop. So heed Kevin's advice. You'll be thanking him all along the way.

[Catstronautgirl]

Most of the stuff that the 84 candles rule is teaching can be learned before buying it. Good advice but I believe that in this age of technology we really don’t need to do that because everyone is posting their mistakes, so we just learn from them.

[Allthequeenzhorses]

Didn’t take me nearly that long. It’s common since mixed with art and science. I’m sure life experience definitely plays a part in this.