WAHM Forums

Hi,


My name is Sherri. I live in Willington, CT with my husband, Shawn. We don't have any kids yet. We are thinking in about two years we'll try starting a family. In the mean time, I'd like to get my craft business going so that I can be a successful WAHM when the time comes.


I love this web page. There seems to be so many supportive people who are very knowledgable. I am so overwhelmed with all that I have read so far!


I have a web page set up selling silk floral centerpieces, soy candles, bath & body products, & gift baskets. I have so many ideas on new products I want to eventually add and different ways I want to go about selling it all. I have a web page, I would like to try selling wholesale to local stores. I plan to try some craft shows. Am I getting in over my head? Should I focus on one thing at a time? Does anyone sell wholesale? Does it make sense to sell both retail and wholesale?


Also, do other of you out there that sell candles and similar products make enough to support a family? I just can't see myself spending my life sitting silently in my cubicle. I would so much rather be out there selling my crafts or home making them.


Sorry about all the questions!


Thanks


-Sherri

Hi Sherri!


I live in CT too! Isn't that something?! Anywho to answer your question yes I make enough money (EVEN IN EXPENSIVE CT)selling my candles and crafts to support my family (although I'm a Single WAHM). Because I wanted to concentrate on making gift baskets (and a few other gifts) I didn't go into making candles. I did lots of research and found a company that makes their candles from natural products. The candles are cleaner burning (virtually no black soot!) and infused with scent from top to bottom. While I was searching for a candle to promote in my gift baskets I wanted to find something that was healthy and unique (unique so the market wasn't saturated and I had more of an opportunity to share). That's what I found with Mia Bella. This company is AWESOME!! You can make money from Retail, Wholesale, Fundraising and Residuals. For the wholesale portion of my business I require a 2 case minimum. But to be honest wholesale folks (those that are interested in purchasing wholesale from me) would make more by becoming Distributors themselves. I make sure to let them know that. Sometimes they use the Wholesale as a 'let me get my feet wet' option. Also having them become Distributors allows me more free time to concentrate on my crafts.


I'd be happy to share more information with you if you'd like---or if you have other questions. Feel free to send me an email anytime: Dinika@HealthierScents.com (Dinika@HealthierScents.com)


BE BLESSED
Dinika

H Sherri,


Welcome to the board!! smileys/smiley1.gif I have my own business making candles and gift baskets and I've been doing this for 8 years. I'm 26 years old and I feel exactly how you feel with sitting in a cubicle.


The best advice that I can give you is this: your business will only be what you make it to be. If you put in 110% of your time and effort in making your business successful you will see ROI. Know that it will not happen overnight, but don't be discouraged that everything seems to be moving slow.


The first three years of when I started my business, I was making excellent money. I was bringing in anywhere from $3k-$5ka month depending if it was a holiday in that month. I made most of my money doing home parties and going to different government buildings tovend. I have allowed things to slow down now because I had a baby and since I'm the candlemaker the fragrances were making me ill!! uugh smileys/smiley5.gif


Anyway, I wish you the best of luck and if you feel it in your heart then go for it!!





Jameel

Hi Sherry ~



I've found that retail and wholesale are both necessary to balance volume with cash flow at least initially.



BUT I have been a burned out crafter for several years now and find
that making things when I want to is much more fun than making things
when I have to.



To that end, I've switched my focus to doing fundraisers with a product
that is hand-crafted, but not by me and I don't have to oversee the
production bees either (been there done that too and have the paper
cuts to prove it ;-).



I'm building a website that I hope will be supportive to all candle makers/sellers.



Let me know what you think?<a href="http://%0Ahttp://www.candle-fundraiser-advisor.com%0Awww.candle-fundraiser-advisor.com" target="_blank" target="_blank">

www.candle-fundraiser-advisor.com</a>



hth,

Andrea


Edited by: agoodsaid

Hi Jameel ~



Were we next to each other at the Greenbelt show last year? Small world if it's you ;-)



Andrea

Hi Andrea,


I don't recall doing a Greenbelt show last year. What type of products to you sell?





Jameel

It was one of the last shows I did with jewelry. I have been a glass
artist for 16+ years ... now I'm 100% turned on to candles :)



Must've been someone else ...



Have a good one,

Andrea

Thank you guys for all the info and support! I have a friend that is going to help me sell some of my candles to some stores near by(she does sales for a living). I am a little nervous. I tend to be shy, but I know I have great products.


Thank you,


Sherri

It's always nice to have someone to team up with. Sounds like you'll compliment each other :)



Have a great time with it!



Andrea