WAHM Forums

Hi! I posted a similar topic in the Mia Bella folder here, but I wanted the opinions of the other side of the coin too smileys/smiley2.gif.


I'm thinking about joining Mia Bella, but I'm just not sure. I'm a little nervous about the COTM $ requirement and I'm afraid I'd buy more than I should http://www.wahm.com/forum/smileys/smiley9.gif. My husband would throw a fit if he knew I was spending at least $50 a month on candles, lol. So, here's the thing....I eventually want to make my own candles and sell them I think. I think it would be so fun to experiment with scents, colors, containers, and just have fun being creative with it. I'd like to sell at craft fairs, flea markets, retail stores, etc. I've been doing some research and found that it actually takes a while to find the "right" way to make a perfect candle and that you have to experiment a lot. That sounds like it could get costly too. I do want to make candles my own business though, either through Mia Bella or on my own.


I thought that it would be a good idea to start with Mia Bella while I started experimenting with my own candles, but I don't know. Maybe I'd just stick with Mia Bella. I figured that if I started with Mia Bella I could get my feet wet in the candle biz and learn a lot...and hopefully make some money. So, what do you think? Is that a resonable way to get into the biz and lean a bit about it? I'm hoping that the money I make from Mia Bella would fund my candle making biz at first while I was "experimenting".


Thanks for all the advice and tips!

Hi there! These are just my thoughts on the subject...



I chose not to join Mia Bella because of the purchasing
requirements. For me, personally, I don't want to have that much
stock and be required to purchase a case each time someone orders a
candle. I know that many people who join Mia Bella really love
it, but I just didn't feel like Mia Bella's sales system matched up
with what I was personally looking for. I think it can work for
some people, but I just didn't think it was right for me. YOU are
the best person to decide if it is right for you.



Hopefully some of the people who make their own candles will jump in
here and offer you some advice on how best to "break into" that
market. Since that is something you are interested in eventually
doing one way or the other, I think that hearing how others have gotten
started would be very helpful for you in your position.



Whether you decide to try Mia Bella or try making your own candles, my
biggest piece of advice is to be honest with your husband upfront about
how much you will be spending and to try to enlist his support.
My husband is sooooo supportive of my business, and I really can't
imagine having it any other way. If my business were causing
tension between my husband and me, I don't think I would enjoy it like
I do now. When I started my business, I made the decision jointly
with my husband, and I definitely think that is the best way to
go. If you keep secrets from him about your new business, both
your relationship and your business may suffer. Include your
husband in your decision. Seeking my husband's input and support
was the single best decision I made when I started my home business.



Best wishes in whatever you decide to do! :)

When I read your post it is clear that your end goal is to make your own candles. So, I think it would be wise to put your energy into that. Why not buy a candle making kit to expirement with? You will learn real fast if candle making is your thing. LOL! smileys/smiley36.gif There are tons of places to buy good quality candle kits. Obviously, I sell kits, but there are tons of places to find them.


If you decide that candle making is not your thing, then I would turn to a party plan to sell them. There are wonderful candles being made all around you. It is justa matter of finding the right company to pair up with.


Whatever you decide, we are here to cheer you on in your new adventure! If you need candle making help, I'm always available. If you need help starting up your new party plan/candle business, there are plenty people here to support you! Good luck! smileys/smiley32.gif

I would also advise you to purchase a kit. I am not affiliated with the following site, but they have several kits to choose from and they also have an instructional video that walks you step by step through the candle making process. A kit will also cut down on the testing, because the scents, wax containers and wicks are already matched together for you, so you will know what to buy after that.smileys/smiley2.gif

Candle Kits (http://www.scentsationscandlesupplies.com/candle%20making%20kits.htm)

I agree too...If what you REALLY want to be doing is MAKING candles, then focus your energy and money on THAT!!


You could definitely check out CandleWealth (see TranquilityRose's post and signature). She is very nice and helpful!CandleWealth has kits and they've already done all the work of figuring out what works and what doesn't. smileys/smiley2.gif


I also have a few sites that I've bookmarked that have complete kits so let me know if you want a few of those too.

Mmmm... I have both sides of the fence in perspective for you :)


I was a professional crafter for 15 years or so. I've opted to replace that income with a candle distributorship.


I know first hand how gratifying it is to create your own product line, production challenge warts and all. I also know that what you are suggesting about needing cash flow and the value of marketing/ business training are dead on. It's a bit of a balancing act, but doable.


Your hesitation over the COTM is more than valid. You don't *know* yet that you will have sales. Of any candles. You WILL make an awsome candle, that's just a matter of time. You WILL have sales (and plenty of them) .... it's your belief that needs bolstering.


I'd be happy to mentor you on the marketing side of things if you want. Highly recommend going with your gut on this re. learning from people who are already actively selling candles.


I don't really think it has to be either / or ... why not learn all the tips and tricks you can, fill in with a quality candle line as needed and generate the needed start-up money for your crafting experiments?


Did you know that you can set-up a free associate account with Mia?


PM me if you'd like to brainstorm privately ... happy to share whatever you decide is right for you :)


AndreaEdited by: agoodsaid

I also choose a company that didn't have any minimum order requirements. I wanted a company that offered me the opportunity to purchase just one candle if I wanted to. I didn't want to have inventory on hand as I don't have alot of extra room in my home for it. I wanted the opportunity for my customers to order online and have it dropped shipped to their home.


I think what it comes down to is what you'd really like to do. If you want to try candle making, give it a shot. Write down the pros and cons of both - making them and buying them already made to resell. Make sure you ask yourself about time investment, money investment and storage.

Hi!


I am in almost the same boat as you are! I had my own candle business for 5 years, making and selling soy candles. I did well, but the time it took for me to make it all come together was too much for me. I work full time and also go to college. I will say, however, that it is so gratifying to have a customer purchase and enjoy a candle you made with your own hands.


I too have looked into both Mia Bella and Bittersweet. I was put off by the monthly $ requirement yet, love the Mia Bella line. I haven't yet decided which to choose as both companies seem great and the help that the people on this board have given has been wonderful. I feel it is just a matter of what you would like to do.


When I started my candle company I had a budget of $1000.00, now this gave me everything I needed, supplies, labels, containers, scale, melting pots ect.. What I found daunting was all the money it takes to actually label, market (with a color catalog) and test each container, each wax and color and scent combination. It is completely up to you what you would like to do, but just remember that to make a saleable product you must test, test, test. I wish you the best of luck, let us know what you choose to do!


By the way, if you go to the EZboard website you can type in candlemaking, it should take you to the candlbrew message board which has a host of information should you choose to make your own.


GOOD LUCK smileys/smiley4.gif

I used to make candles years ago and enjoyed showing off my product. Mostly my candles were for my own use though. Sales wasn't my priority.


Once again, I find myself looking for a home business and I looked into buying the soy candle kits. It all looks easy enough and leaves a lot of room to choose what to sell the product for. Profit is always a GOOD thing!


But at this point in my life, I had to turn down the idea of making my own. It was simply a matter of TIME. I am married, have 2 school-aged daughters, I drive school bus, I have two other home businesses (one internet, one product driven), and I am about to join another candle business. I simply don't have any time left for actually making the candles. But that is my circumstance. Yours may be completely different.


One point I'd like to make about Mia Bella (which I am about to join) is if the monthly candle of the month scares you, consider joining as a Distributor first. There is no monthly minimum although your wholesale price is higher. But at least it will give you an opportunity to order just what you want and test the market for yourself. Then down the road, if you are happy with your products and sales, join the candle of the month to receivethe deep wholesale discounts, and commissions on your referrals six levels deep (if that is a way you wish to earn).


What it all comes down to, you must sell a product you are proud to share with people. Whether that's one you've made yourself or a manufactured one, as long as you love it, you will be able to sell it!


The best of luck to you!


Blessings,


Vicki

Xtreme Mom aka Becky aka mia Bella Mamma! ..lol smileys/smiley36.gif


I am sooo glad you chose Mia Bella!! I know you are very happy with your desicion and I cant wait to work with you and share your success!! smileys/smiley32.gif