I'm literally sitting here binging all of your videos because I really want to start my own candle brand! I seriously LOVE your positivity. Just the fact that you gave the analogy of Snapchat as an example was incredibly clever. Your positivity and uniqueness really does shine through!
I am starting a candle business too and the idea of copying someone's content will haunt me throughout my business life because all I am doing is selling a lie and taking advantage of someone's hardwork.
I was working in some companies and now freelance as brand consultant for 4 years. You're right! But so far, my client too afraid to be different. They give me example from pinterest, which is very generic simple design, I explain about it and showing my ideas but well.. Yes, most of them afraid it won't attract buyers, or too different, etc (But of course what's the point of hiring me if you just copying pinterest lol) They then trust me, the design turned out very well and the concept is unique, buyers love it. I wish people don't be afraid to be stand out and different. Inspiration from others are fine, but if you're unique, people need to know or you will losing some potentials. Here some tips: Write your products pros and cons, what makes you different, who's your competitor, the price, etc. Then you can find inspiration on internet. Don't look at one design you like, scrolling a lot! Pick color moodboard that represent your company / products and based on what you wrote before. You will find ideas easier that way. And then you can decide the font you will use based on that color scheme, then slowly to all of the design elements. Make 3 to 5 alternative then choose the best, so you won't change your mind in the future, because you know that the best design you can make. Don't use more than 3 fonts at one design, and any important sentences (like warning label) should use generic fonts or fonts thay easy to read (ex.poppins/century gothic/timesnewroman). I guess that's it. Use your design to all advertising elements so people will know who you are. For example, if we see white font on red background, our mind says it coca cola even though it doesn't show the logo.
Wow I’m so glad you said this. I’m not even launched yet and Ive experienced this, at first I was upset, but now I don’t care lol. Your branding is always one step ahead though, it actually pushes me to do something even greater than the person copying me. It actually helped me to stop being so complacent and stagnant. In the end, you’re right, it’s about who did it better and to always look forward 🙌🏻
Yes exactly!! We have to just keep focusing on our own brand and goals and not worry about what anyone else chooses to do! ❤️✨ Also girl your brand is INCREDIBLE and no one else will ever be able to take that from you!!
Excellent channel, you are an inspiration. Thank you so much. I just got my beginner kit. Thanks for everything. My teenegers want to start a candle business to save for college. Thanks again 🌹❤
Well said ! I’ve had this happen & my reaction was you can give 2 people the exact same candle supplies and at the end of the day they will be different they may look identical but they are bound to perform differently, my objective first and foremost is to make the best candle possible with the current knowledge I have now, and the designing can always come afterwards, and the more I see the “copycats” the least amount of effort is put into the candle itself, from what I see it’s a quick sale, poor quality, but I try to take it in stride, and move on, a safe, good quality candle is my #1 priority as well as gaining new knowledge to make my own unique blends ❣️
I've had this unique idea for a while and have been slowly working on it and yesterday I saw someone who recently started selling the same idea I had with VERY similar designs. I am worried people will think I copied them even though I have been working on it since last year 😭
Such great suggestions and advice Erica. So true, it certainly can be challenging to stand out and be unique but taking the time to research and look at what personally grabs your attention in marketing and the products you purchase yourself can provide a direction on what to do for your business. I agree with your point of view on copy cats in business, if you focus on those people not only are they stealing your ideas but now they are stealing your time. Time that you should be pouring into yourself rather than waste your time confronting EVERY copy cat you encounter! I've not experienced that but I think every business owner fears one day having to deal with that situation. Love your channel, and the outtakes at the end always crack me up! LOL 😆👏💖
Crying at the outtakes at the end and the back alley fragrance dealer 😂 I've seen so many brands on Instagram get copied, my one friend has a brand called nearly November and I swear everyone has copied her style 😭
I see this all the time in pottery, people will either take your idea and copy it or they will draw inspiration from it and make their own twist on it. I just started getting into making and creating candles, and just recently started selling at shows. There were 3 different candle vendors at the last show I participated in but we are all different in what was being offered, the style and branding of our candles and I love that. You have to find what can make your candles stand apart from the crowd and make them uniquely yours.
Thanks for this video! It’s funny, I saw someone in the DIY group showcase their candle and it was called.. Saturday Morning Cartoons for the froot loops scented candle!! I was like.. nope! That’s Erica’s!!
Great video. Regarding the section on some people lying, copying and stealing other people's ideas and copyrighted material, shame on them and they may find themselves in court. Just don't do it, if you can't invent or create your own brand and products then hire someone or consider that you're in the wrong line of business and do something else. And personally, I don't do business with shady people, why would you trust them? Just wanted to mention those things.
It was a much needed video at a right time. I am been struggling with all the issues that I have still not faced yet, so basically what if and keep postponing to turn my dream a reality. Thanks Erica .
Totally agree with you i have a writing blog post am new to this world of online work at home business, am overwhelmed and am currently out of work can't work rn due to health issues i am a 22 yr old female with SLE am trying to be creative as i can with things i do. thanks alot for inspiring me. it is hard work and effort that pays off. i am also interested in this business of candles to atleast help me for the few months or idk how long it will take to get my liver transplant, am oxygen dependent but online business is the only way and option i got rn and hopefully in future am tired for working for a mimimum wage. Thanks Erica lots of love from New Jersey and Kenya
Thank you soooo much for this, Erica! You speak from your heart, and it shows! I would LOVE to watch a video from you with pointers about how to promote on Instagram. It looks so intimidating to me. THANK YOU again!
Hi Erica, This is a great video with very useful info and I would love to mention this and link your channel on my livestream today feb. 28 at 12 noon pt. thanks for the wonderful job you're doing in the candle industry.
I enjoyed this video because it is so true...I am a firm believer in ethical behavior and if I don't want anyone to do it to me then I sure won't do it. It is okay to draw inspiration, look around see what works and then put your own twists on it. Candlemaking has become competitive to where most supplies are out for months at a time. Having to rethink and rebrand was good for me because I am not set in my niche and how I choose to interpret bookish candles. For example, Frostbeard is wonderful but colored candles and candles with crazy things like glitter in them makes me see liability signs everywhere though this niche is all about color and glitter I have taken the perspective of a writer. I come up with ideas based on manuscripts that I have written myself and mythology and folklore, it prevents me from explaining why I called my candle Harry Potter which is ever so popular. I am wary of people that steal and they do steal but focus on your brand and how you run your business because unethical behavior is easy in the short term until you get sued, building a long lasting brand that people love is where your mindset should be. Focus on that and everything else falls by the wayside.
It's hard to find unique vessels anymore. Lots of competition out there lately. However, it can be done with patients. It's easier to do unique scents. As newbies don't venture far from the standards. I was probably one of the original cocoa apricot creme wax users, now even that sadly has become common. I'm constantly changing things around for my internet store. At the local boutique and pharmacy I can still make my original line and it sells well.
Omggggg talking about copying, on a candle maker facebook group there was this intense argument about Saturday Morning Cartoons, people were saying like how many times did you watch Memory Box candle co. Others were saying u can not use this cuz its from erica but aslo others were saying did she copyrighted it? omggg just unbelievable
I can totally relate to the sensitive skin. I get so many comments, “she has a hickey”!” Wellllll it’s actually called sensitive skin and I didn’t know that hickeys were pink and go away in 20 minutes 😂😂
Hi Erica. Thanks for the heads up. Apart from candle science, Lonestar candle supplies and candle pro supplies, where can I get premium quality fragrance oil?
I’m so sorry 😞 Wow people just want to make easy money. Sorry friend, you just launch your 2nd Etsy shop and I can’t believe how fast someone is trying to take your idea. You’re doing great! Keep it up 👍🏼 😘
Hi, I’m looking to start a candle business soon. is soy wax the better choice? Also, what do you think about when people add dry flowers or crystals stuff like that? Does that have an effect on how long the candle will burn ?
Thank you for your video, all of your videos have helped me so much with opening my Etsy shop and selling candles! When in doubt over something I search your videos. Which brings me to my ethical/creative struggle. I had thought of a candle idea that I thought was so smart and creative, looked it up and many people had already done it. What do you do in this situation? I am trying to think of how to make it as unique as possible to my own brand, but the idea behind it is the same. I was pretty sad when I realized this because I was so proud of myself thinking it was creative! Is it still ethical to make this candle even though other people have done it? Thanks in advance! ❤️
Thank you for the info! Love your videos, always very informative..I do have one question. I'm wanting to rename my fragrances, but how do you know if you can choose that name? Like that company you mentioned, named theirs after books, wouldn't that be copyrighted? I'm just scared of I name it something, someone's gonna be like "you can't use that name". I hope I make sense lol
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo thank you for replying. I brainstormed last night and just came up with my own unique names, by using the descriptions of the fragrances. But will definetly contact a legal attorney if need be.
Good morning Candle Queen! I have been following you from the very beginning. I am revisiting creating candles again and went straight to your channel again. I am so proud of you and your growth! You go girly! 🤗🌷 Supporter in Seattle 🌸
If someone came to you and presented you with a real Louis Vuitton bag with the signature orange bag in one hand, and a knockoff with no bag in the other....which would you choose? Same goes for your business. When someone creates copies and knock offs of your brand, customers will ALWAYS choose the “authentic” version. They want the name and the brand just as much as they want the product. Just had this talk with a friend yesterday who thought she was brilliant for basically copying another girls idea and selling it cheaper. Cheap does not equal customers!
😂 what’s funny is the people that think they can use BBW, Jo Malone or Victoria Secret’s intellectual property like scents, trademark names and graphics and they won’t get sued! People better check those trademarks!!
If I knew people that I storm others hard work wouldn't spend any funds from them they can't be trusted in my book.. I understand ideas..but come on...dream for yourself and stand proud. Senior 64
I noticed a LOT of people are selling the same scents in the same jars! I know I will not be selling trademarked love spell, Black Sea, mahogany teakwood, cashmere plum and sea salt and orchid! Luckily I can’t stand those scents that everybody and their mamas are selling!
Can u make a video about descriptions for the scents?
I'm literally sitting here binging all of your videos because I really want to start my own candle brand! I seriously LOVE your positivity. Just the fact that you gave the analogy of Snapchat as an example was incredibly clever. Your positivity and uniqueness really does shine through!
I am starting a candle business too and the idea of copying someone's content will haunt me throughout my business life because all I am doing is selling a lie and taking advantage of someone's hardwork.
I was working in some companies and now freelance as brand consultant for 4 years. You're right! But so far, my client too afraid to be different. They give me example from pinterest, which is very generic simple design, I explain about it and showing my ideas but well.. Yes, most of them afraid it won't attract buyers, or too different, etc (But of course what's the point of hiring me if you just copying pinterest lol) They then trust me, the design turned out very well and the concept is unique, buyers love it. I wish people don't be afraid to be stand out and different. Inspiration from others are fine, but if you're unique, people need to know or you will losing some potentials.
Here some tips:
Write your products pros and cons, what makes you different, who's your competitor, the price, etc. Then you can find inspiration on internet. Don't look at one design you like, scrolling a lot! Pick color moodboard that represent your company / products and based on what you wrote before. You will find ideas easier that way. And then you can decide the font you will use based on that color scheme, then slowly to all of the design elements. Make 3 to 5 alternative then choose the best, so you won't change your mind in the future, because you know that the best design you can make. Don't use more than 3 fonts at one design, and any important sentences (like warning label) should use generic fonts or fonts thay easy to read (ex.poppins/century gothic/timesnewroman). I guess that's it.
Use your design to all advertising elements so people will know who you are. For example, if we see white font on red background, our mind says it coca cola even though it doesn't show the logo.
Wow I’m so glad you said this. I’m not even launched yet and Ive experienced this, at first I was upset, but now I don’t care lol. Your branding is always one step ahead though, it actually pushes me to do something even greater than the person copying me. It actually helped me to stop being so complacent and stagnant. In the end, you’re right, it’s about who did it better and to always look forward 🙌🏻
Yes exactly!! We have to just keep focusing on our own brand and goals and not worry about what anyone else chooses to do! ❤️✨
Also girl your brand is INCREDIBLE and no one else will ever be able to take that from you!!
Can’t you trademark your designs to protect yourself?
Excellent channel, you are an inspiration.
Thank you so much. I just got my beginner kit.
Thanks for everything. My teenegers want to start a candle business to save for college. Thanks again 🌹❤
Great video!
That interview with Frost Beard was great, I watched it yesterday. I’m off to find a fragrance oil drug dealer in the alley 😂😂👊
😂😂😂
😂😂😂
Lol, That's just amazing. Hey you got that stuff, as they open a trench coat full of fragrance oils and wicks! Too cute!
@@OneCraftyRabbit haha! What are you in for? Buying crème brûlée for my candles 😂😂
Great advice Erica! Thank you for this! I’m hoping to launch my wax melt business in March! You are such an inspiration! Keep Slaying the game! 💗
Thank you so much! That was be so exciting!
I literally have been asking myself this question for weeks!! Lol
Me too. I mean, everyone and their uncle opened a candle business, so it's gotten extremely hard to stand out.
@@annamiljevic8632 yes but I'm just been brainstorming different ideas and everything! So I know it will pop as soon as I pick one lol
Well said ! I’ve had this happen & my reaction was you can give 2 people the exact same candle supplies and at the end of the day they will be different they may look identical but they are bound to perform differently, my objective first and foremost is to make the best candle possible with the current knowledge I have now, and the designing can always come afterwards, and the more I see the “copycats” the least amount of effort is put into the candle itself, from what I see it’s a quick sale, poor quality, but I try to take it in stride, and move on, a safe, good quality candle is my #1 priority as well as gaining new knowledge to make my own unique blends ❣️
I've had this unique idea for a while and have been slowly working on it and yesterday I saw someone who recently started selling the same idea I had with VERY similar designs. I am worried people will think I copied them even though I have been working on it since last year 😭
I think u should be fine.. just as long as its not a complete copy of what their doing and your adding ur own creativity.
You’re 💯 on this. Thank you! Went to Lone Star today and felt overwhelmed. But I won’t compare my first to their current.
What the candle supplier?! Are they open to the public now??
Such great suggestions and advice Erica. So true, it certainly can be challenging to stand out and be unique but taking the time to research and look at what personally grabs your attention in marketing and the products you purchase yourself can provide a direction on what to do for your business. I agree with your point of view on copy cats in business, if you focus on those people not only are they stealing your ideas but now they are stealing your time. Time that you should be pouring into yourself rather than waste your time confronting EVERY copy cat you encounter! I've not experienced that but I think every business owner fears one day having to deal with that situation. Love your channel, and the outtakes at the end always crack me up! LOL 😆👏💖
Crying at the outtakes at the end and the back alley fragrance dealer 😂
I've seen so many brands on Instagram get copied, my one friend has a brand called nearly November and I swear everyone has copied her style 😭
😂😂😂
And yep!! That happens all the time 🤷🏼♀️
I see this all the time in pottery, people will either take your idea and copy it or they will draw inspiration from it and make their own twist on it. I just started getting into making and creating candles, and just recently started selling at shows. There were 3 different candle vendors at the last show I participated in but we are all different in what was being offered, the style and branding of our candles and I love that. You have to find what can make your candles stand apart from the crowd and make them uniquely yours.
Thanks for this video! It’s funny, I saw someone in the DIY group showcase their candle and it was called.. Saturday Morning Cartoons for the froot loops scented candle!! I was like.. nope! That’s Erica’s!!
Haha! And honestly I don’t even know if I was the first one to name mine that or not 😅
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo ps.. I made my second order from you last night! So excited!!!
It’s not a unique name. It’s a good name but many candle makers have the same name
Great video. Regarding the section on some people lying, copying and stealing other people's ideas and copyrighted material, shame on them and they may find themselves in court. Just don't do it, if you can't invent or create your own brand and products then hire someone or consider that you're in the wrong line of business and do something else. And personally, I don't do business with shady people, why would you trust them? Just wanted to mention those things.
It was a much needed video at a right time. I am been struggling with all the issues that I have still not faced yet, so basically what if and keep postponing to turn my dream a reality.
Thanks Erica .
I love your videos. Very inspiring!!
Be creative, don't steal someone hard work and dreams. There or Dream stealers and Dream killers. Create your own you will be proud. No Mo Talk.
Totally agree with you i have a writing blog post am new to this world of online work at home business, am overwhelmed and am currently out of work can't work rn due to health issues i am a 22 yr old female with SLE am trying to be creative as i can with things i do. thanks alot for inspiring me. it is hard work and effort that pays off. i am also interested in this business of candles to atleast help me for the few months or idk how long it will take to get my liver transplant, am oxygen dependent but online business is the only way and option i got rn and hopefully in future am tired for working for a mimimum wage. Thanks Erica lots of love from New Jersey and Kenya
im learning a lot from you for my candle business :3
really love the last minute that you laugh 😂
Thank you soooo much for this, Erica! You speak from your heart, and it shows! I would LOVE to watch a video from you with pointers about how to promote on Instagram. It looks so intimidating to me. THANK YOU again!
Hi Erica, This is a great video with very useful info and I would love to mention this and link your channel on my livestream today feb. 28 at 12 noon pt. thanks for the wonderful job you're doing in the candle industry.
We all have Canva and we all love books, Greek Mythology, and maybe LOTR or the pagan calendar. So ya, stuff is going to start to look the same.
Thank you for this info its helped a lot 💕
I enjoyed this video because it is so true...I am a firm believer in ethical behavior and if I don't want anyone to do it to me then I sure won't do it. It is okay to draw inspiration, look around see what works and then put your own twists on it. Candlemaking has become competitive to where most supplies are out for months at a time. Having to rethink and rebrand was good for me because I am not set in my niche and how I choose to interpret bookish candles.
For example, Frostbeard is wonderful but colored candles and candles with crazy things like glitter in them makes me see liability signs everywhere though this niche is all about color and glitter I have taken the perspective of a writer.
I come up with ideas based on manuscripts that I have written myself and mythology and folklore, it prevents me from explaining why I called my candle Harry Potter which is ever so popular.
I am wary of people that steal and they do steal but focus on your brand and how you run your business because unethical behavior is easy in the short term until you get sued, building a long lasting brand that people love is where your mindset should be.
Focus on that and everything else falls by the wayside.
Love your videos! So much useful info. Do you sometimes worry about people copying your exact business?
Well said!
It's hard to find unique vessels anymore. Lots of competition out there lately. However, it can be done with patients. It's easier to do unique scents. As newbies don't venture far from the standards. I was probably one of the original cocoa apricot creme wax users, now even that sadly has become common. I'm constantly changing things around for my internet store. At the local boutique and pharmacy I can still make my original line and it sells well.
Oh WoW!!!! Thanks for sharing your knowledge these are some great ideas❤️
First comment! Love and your channel! 💗
Thank you! ☺️
Omggggg talking about copying, on a candle maker facebook group there was this intense argument about Saturday Morning Cartoons, people were saying like how many times did you watch Memory Box candle co. Others were saying u can not use this cuz its from erica but aslo others were saying did she copyrighted it? omggg just unbelievable
I don’t own anything rights to that name currently :)
I want to look into trademarking my candle scents names in the near future though
I love your videos and learn so much with you but often ask myself how you keep your business running all year around. Do you ever take holidays?
I can totally relate to the sensitive skin. I get so many comments, “she has a hickey”!” Wellllll it’s actually called sensitive skin and I didn’t know that hickeys were pink and go away in 20 minutes 😂😂
It would be nice to know if you need to list ingredients on the label for candles like you need for beauty products
Hi Erica. Thanks for the heads up. Apart from candle science, Lonestar candle supplies and candle pro supplies, where can I get premium quality fragrance oil?
LOL @ back alley fragrance suppliers! I am cracking up!
😂
Could you make a video about how to price your items? And the wholesale prices?
I’m so sorry 😞 Wow people just want to make easy money. Sorry friend, you just launch your 2nd Etsy shop and I can’t believe how fast someone is trying to take your idea. You’re doing great! Keep it up 👍🏼 😘
Hi, I’m looking to start a candle business soon. is soy wax the better choice? Also, what do you think about when people add dry flowers or crystals stuff like that? Does that have an effect on how long the candle will burn ?
Hi, I am glad you did this test as I use 464. Do you have a chart or advice on using any other wick sizes for larger candle diameters? THX!
Thank you for your video, all of your videos have helped me so much with opening my Etsy shop and selling candles! When in doubt over something I search your videos. Which brings me to my ethical/creative struggle. I had thought of a candle idea that I thought was so smart and creative, looked it up and many people had already done it. What do you do in this situation? I am trying to think of how to make it as unique as possible to my own brand, but the idea behind it is the same. I was pretty sad when I realized this because I was so proud of myself thinking it was creative! Is it still ethical to make this candle even though other people have done it? Thanks in advance! ❤️
Thank you girl you inspired me so much
I’m so glad! Thank you so much for watching ☺️
Thank you for sharing. I agree with you 100%.
Thank you for the info! Love your videos, always very informative..I do have one question. I'm wanting to rename my fragrances, but how do you know if you can choose that name? Like that company you mentioned, named theirs after books, wouldn't that be copyrighted? I'm just scared of I name it something, someone's gonna be like "you can't use that name". I hope I make sense lol
It’s best to talk with a legal attorney that specializes in trademarking if you have any questions on names! (This can be tricky!)
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo thank you for replying. I brainstormed last night and just came up with my own unique names, by using the descriptions of the fragrances. But will definetly contact a legal attorney if need be.
If you copywrite your pictures and brand then can't you go against them in court?
Thanks for video
I’ve been beating myself up thinking about this what can I do to stand out in the candle competition 🤷🏻♀️
It can be hard, but finding what truly makes you stand out as a brand can bring you so much clarity in where you what your brand to go! 💞
Hi friend I love your headband where do you get it from? Is that one a wired one? I love it!
Thank you! It’s a bandana folded up! :)
I am working on making some with wire! If I send you one would you accept it?
sure!
Can you link to the behind-the-alley fragrance oil people? Lol just kidding! Enjoyed the video!
😂❤️
Great video!
Nice vedio ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Good morning Candle Queen!
I have been following you from the very beginning. I am revisiting creating candles again and went straight to your channel again.
I am so proud of you and your growth! You go girly! 🤗🌷
Supporter in Seattle 🌸
Very well said.
How long did you test wicks and fragrances before you started to sell your candles?
About 6 months, and I’m still adjusting! ❤️
If someone came to you and presented you with a real Louis Vuitton bag with the signature orange bag in one hand, and a knockoff with no bag in the other....which would you choose? Same goes for your business. When someone creates copies and knock offs of your brand, customers will ALWAYS choose the “authentic” version. They want the name and the brand just as much as they want the product. Just had this talk with a friend yesterday who thought she was brilliant for basically copying another girls idea and selling it cheaper. Cheap does not equal customers!
I’m the end, brand is EVERYTHING! ❤️
😂 what’s funny is the people that think they can use BBW, Jo Malone or Victoria Secret’s intellectual property like scents, trademark names and graphics and they won’t get sued! People better check those trademarks!!
"Drug deal fragrance oil!" Yes!!! :P
😂
Can you trademark your designs?
However if a business has no integrity there are other places for me to shop
I honestly want to do an anime candle business I bet nobody has done that ?
Keep it to yourself, sister. You're giving everybody the idea right now.
I bet Etsy has some...but so what, if you can do it better, you should do it! Just google “anime candle” and see what comes up
I’m first ‼️
If I knew people that I storm others hard work wouldn't spend any funds from them they can't be trusted in my book.. I understand ideas..but come on...dream for yourself and stand proud. Senior 64
I noticed a LOT of people are selling the same scents in the same jars! I know I will not be selling trademarked love spell, Black Sea, mahogany teakwood, cashmere plum and sea salt and orchid! Luckily I can’t stand those scents that everybody and their mamas are selling!
9:42 Reminds me of the video series Everything’s a Remix. So true! ruclips.net/video/nJPERZDfyWc/видео.html and the book Steal Like An Artist
Clicking your link doesn't pull up your etsy shop or searching also doesn't work. #sadface
It wasn’t working earlier but I checked and I believe it’s working again!
Watch and listen to this video closely.
@@MemoryBoxCandleCo Thank you so much for letting me know! It is working now! 😊
Listen to your video, closely.
I saw the comments were at 99 and I’m just posting a comment so it can hit 100 ☺️. Have a pleasant day 🫶🏾