Yess! Thank you so much for making this video. I think people are nervous to price their candles higher when starting out because confidence is low and we’re not sure how people will respond. I’ve had conversations with family/friends regarding my pricing, and at first they go “isn’t that a little high?” And then I show them candles on Etsy, other websites, etc. and they change their minds. Honestly I feel like a lot of it is building a brand and you can charge even higher. But this video was definitely needed! I know a common problem is people trying to figure out how to increase their prices after they have been selling for a few months.. it’s always easier to come down in price rather than increase!
The people complaining about something being too high are also the same people that haven't taken a single step towards making the very product the deem expensive. You can't put a price on the time it takes to craft things. Know your worth! Those same people would speed thousands of dollars on a purse because it says Gucci, Prada, or LV.
Memory box candle co I have that same problem. I asked the people around me which I guess I shouldn't have because not one of those people took the time nor money to buy anything from me. Smh... So I have really been cheating myself all along because I'm just starting out.
Can you discuss liability insurance and how that might factor into cost? And how insurance works? Say you’re in business for a year and it folds. You stop paying insurance because the business is no longer, but a year later one of your candles causes damage to something/someone. How long should you keep paying insurance to make sure you’re bases are covered?
Oh wow, that's a good question. Never thought of that. People can hold onto candles for a while though. So there's no telling when something could happen. I'd love to hear his answer on this.
I’ve bumped my price up by $2. I go back and forward from time to time if I should price it up again. I just offered a bigger candle at a higher price. Which forces ppl to buy the smaller ones and more of them.
Thank you!!! I always question myself when pricing. Now I've watched all your videos and I'm still forgetting to pay myself 🤦♀️🤣... but this is a great video to refresh my memory and remind myself to also PAY MYSELF 💪. FYI I suck at math big time 🤦♀️
Thank you for this! With all of the work, time, money and thought that have gone into my products, it really made me think about so many things in terms of value. Yes, I want to be affordable, but I do everything myself, from the designs, to the manufacturing, delivery, creative space, research in terms of safety and quality... everything.
Yeahhhh I bought my supplies from a couple of different websites for a small batch of candles (18 total) and cost of supplies per candles were high😬 lesson learned
I price my candles with common sense. I make a lot of sales and people are happy because the price is reasonable and the amount of product is satisfying. My friend who sells too put prices way too high because he is focused on money solo. Guess who is making more sales in month. I think you need to be fare and smart. That way everyone is happy and your pockets are full.
Great info. I'm just now starting out. Just ordered $500 worth of material and just now completed a few different scents. I see them on etsy so cheap and I was wondering if I had made the right decision to even go into this so heavy. But after watching your video, I have hope again. I spent alot on material and labeling to just get $6-$8 out of a 8oz like I'm seeing posted on Etsy. So thank you for this information.
Same here! I spent close to $500 and I was considering selling them for $8 out of fear that $10 was too steep but I think I should definitely charge $16 now.
Great video, thanks! We are struggling to apply the same rule of thumb to our luxury line. If we did, we would be at 50.00 for a 120z. Candle because the cost of the supplies is so much higher. I’ve wondered if we should use that formula on an average candle to determine a fair mark up then mark our candles up by that amount in order to not price ourselves out of the market. It’s hard! We also don’t want to undercut our fellow Chandlers.
Yessss!🙌🏻I would love a video on the business side of things! I want to start selling this year, but I'm afraid of missing something legal that I probably need. I need someone to lay it out and say THESE are the things you need to legally get in place first.
Look up an accountant in your area who specializes in working with product makers and consult with them. Laws vary from state to state so you want to make sure you're getting information that's accurate for you and your situation.
As someone with an insurance background, it makes me so uncomfortable to see people in the comments asking about insurance questions, taxes, legal questions. These really need to be directed to licensed people who know your situation, because someone on the internet is going to claim they know something and it’ll be wrong, and you’ll pay the price. It’s not legal to advise on many of these things without a license, even for Jeff (not that he does 😊). Check with your local SBA, that’s always a good start, and usually free!
Nichole C Could not agree more which is why I never really answer these questions. I am absolutely not qualified to talk about insurance in any way. I just tell people it’s a good thing to have and research providers.
Are you selling your amazing, absolutely amazing candles on EBAY, ETSY, or AMAZON !!!!!! You are a big player now im shocked to not see your candles in WHOLEFOODS, WALMART, TARGET, etc
Do you label your candles by size of the container (8oz) or by the oz of wax that makes the candle? I have 8 oz Anchor mason jars but they only actually hold 5.2 oz of soy wax. Do I label it a 5oz candle or an 8 oz candle?
How does one find an accurate scale for both candles and postage? Every scale I’ve looked at has at least 100 reviews saying “this thing is not accurate.”
Hello Jeff. Where do you get your labels done for your candles? I've been making candles for about a year now trying to correct how I do them. I think I have it down for the most part. I'm just looking for best labels, and for different sizes. Do you make them or order them?
Hi Jeff ! I'm Lisa. I'm using my husband's phone to talk to you. I am new to the candle making business and I don't know what to do about charging for my candles in Jelly jars ! I have jelly jars like the ones you use and I'm charging people$5 for them I don't want to lose money but I don't want to run people away with the price I charge either. Help! I've got 7 oz tins , and I will be getting jars with silver on them and I think they are 10.5 oz. Please Help!
Candlescience has great fragrances, fast shipping and perfect customer service. For example, you could ask them this question, what are their most sophisticated fragrances? And they will answer you immediately. In addition their prices are very reasonable.
@@StandleyHandcrafted I subscribed today, over the last week or so I have decided to start a for now home based business making scented candles. Seen your video with your daughter earlier and it was the best thing I could have done today.
Hi! This is a loaded question. i live in Canada. . Would you calculate the cost of each material (wax, FO, etc) in USD + then convert COG in CAD for one candle? Or convert each material item in CAD + then do the math as is? Do this include the conversion value in shipping? Hope this makes sense.
Enjoyed the video as usual very informative. A question that is off the subject, does anyone know where I can get a really good Mulberry fragrance oil?
keeping it simple you’re very welcome sir. Right now Lonestar is the only place I’m ordering scents from. The shipping is low cost and the scents are amazing.
I haven't heard really anyone task to much about the cost of electric or gas for melting the wax. If you're doing this often that's a real cost which is s bit hard to figure out but I THINK important. What do you think?
I believe if you don't have a shipping cost and are in one central location were customers can pick up only then $10 is not too bad however moving slowly to $12 may not be a bad idea either
I like your videos, but please work on your editing. So many comments get repeated and then some start but get cut off. Thank you for the info though 👍
@@StandleyHandcrafted haha, no worries, keep up the good work 👍 question for you though. Nothing to do with this video but whilst I have your attention. When mixing fragrances, Is there ever a time you use more top notes than base or middle? Example 60/40 split top/base.
paul wilkinson For all of my mixing I start to just mix and see how it goes. Once you start using a bunch it oils you start to recognize which are really strong, like a sandalwood, and know if you want that to stand out or not or to be muted. I have definitely mixed some where the base was too strong. Lol
@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you, vanilla seems very strong. I've only just started so only have 4 oils to play with but not going bad so far lol. Thanks for your help
@@StandleyHandcrafted no I think it’s the shipping that bumps up the price :( I haven’t launched my business yet but I’m planning to sell my 5 oz around $22 only cuz I’m too scared to price it for $26
My man, what happened to your fitness level. I saw a recent video first, then I saw a 2017 video with the kid, then another recent one. I'm a trainer and various fitness instructor. My man, whatever you're doing, it's time to rediscover the old you! Get that other Jeff back, we all go through things, and I know we all have a story, but it's time. Start with food choices, gut health, processed food avoidance. I just found a new site Chemical Free Body. I heard them on Tin Foil Hat Podcast. I haven't dived in yet to the site, but it's another company on my list of health. Jimmy Church with Fade to Black radio also sponsors Get the Tea line. Whatever you do, it's time brother. Blessings. Get those biceps back.
Man it’s been a rough couple years, lots of personality life things and falling off the wagon for the diet. I originally lost 160lbs and kept it off for about 6 years. Then the last couple years took a new turn. I’m actually back getting it all back now that life is back in full swing. Just ordered some new weight for the garage from Rogue so I can start lifting again. I miss it. Getting meal prep ready so I can get my macros back in line. I have to fix this again.
@@StandleyHandcrafted awesomeness, and thank you for your videos. I've been trying to start body butters and salves, and lip balm, deodorant too. Candles are the last thing I want to start. You have sparked that drive to just go for it. Life is quite a journey, I think as we go through this chaos, we need constant reminders to just live to the utmost. Live and love hard. I look forward to seeing your videos more. Have a great night.
The candle in the video is an 8oz. From what I understood from his video, ~$16 for an 8oz candle should be the starting point and adjusting higher or lower depending on the market.
These videos are so informative and I'm learning so much, but can you do better edits? During the important information you're reoeating and repeating and starting over and over almost like a blooper special right in the middle of the video and I get lost, esp when you're doing math.
Free shipping is a misnomer. Nothing is free. The customer always pays, and it is fairer to just charge shipping outright rather than hide it in the product price.
People love to believe they are getting something for free, even when it actually isn't. So called free shipping often ends up costing the customer more, as the product is priced higher, so they are tricked into believing it is better value, when it isn't.
Amanda G If you’re selling your product on shelves at $16 and online for $16, then offering free shipping to online orders that’s a good value and you’re not really hiding anything. Now, I would agree with you there is a point at which your product can be priced too high for no reason but in this case I don’t think $16 is that price. Like I said in the video I actually have some of these jelly jars at $10 and I am hurting myself honestly with that price. That’s too low for a product like this. I do get what you’re saying about taking advantage of the situation and the customer but at this price I don’t think it goes into that category Just as a business point of view, I’m willing to be that if you had a product for $11 with $5 shipping and a product for $16 with free shipping the customer would go for the higher prices one by a large margin.
@@amandag5072 It's not a trick. Its called marketing. Also, OBVIOUSLY it is included in the cost. I'm assuming grown ppl with brains are buying the products, not children.
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 price your items so that you earn enough income to sustain/grow your business while making a profit for personal income. tfs!
Yess! Thank you so much for making this video. I think people are nervous to price their candles higher when starting out because confidence is low and we’re not sure how people will respond.
I’ve had conversations with family/friends regarding my pricing, and at first they go “isn’t that a little high?” And then I show them candles on Etsy, other websites, etc. and they change their minds.
Honestly I feel like a lot of it is building a brand and you can charge even higher. But this video was definitely needed! I know a common problem is people trying to figure out how to increase their prices after they have been selling for a few months.. it’s always easier to come down in price rather than increase!
The people complaining about something being too high are also the same people that haven't taken a single step towards making the very product the deem expensive. You can't put a price on the time it takes to craft things. Know your worth! Those same people would speed thousands of dollars on a purse because it says Gucci, Prada, or LV.
Memory box candle co I have that same problem. I asked the people around me which I guess I shouldn't have because not one of those people took the time nor money to buy anything from me. Smh... So I have really been cheating myself all along because I'm just starting out.
your candle cost calculator is a life saver!
Can you discuss liability insurance and how that might factor into cost? And how insurance works? Say you’re in business for a year and it folds. You stop paying insurance because the business is no longer, but a year later one of your candles causes damage to something/someone. How long should you keep paying insurance to make sure you’re bases are covered?
Oh wow, that's a good question. Never thought of that. People can hold onto candles for a while though. So there's no telling when something could happen. I'd love to hear his answer on this.
It depends on the type of policy you have. Ask your agent.
Your not liable for any damage. If there was liability Wal-mart, Ikea, Bed Bath and Beyond would not sell Candles.
jelless That’s not true. They have massive liability policies, and so do their suppliers.
I wonder if the warning label helps?
I’ve bumped my price up by $2. I go back and forward from time to time if I should price it up again. I just offered a bigger candle at a higher price. Which forces ppl to buy the smaller ones and more of them.
Thank you!!! I always question myself when pricing. Now I've watched all your videos and I'm still forgetting to pay myself 🤦♀️🤣... but this is a great video to refresh my memory and remind myself to also PAY MYSELF 💪. FYI I suck at math big time 🤦♀️
@Queen how is business going?
@@craftedbycatiyamarie2521 it's up and down. But that's to be expected during this time
Thank you for this! With all of the work, time, money and thought that have gone into my products, it really made me think about so many things in terms of value. Yes, I want to be affordable, but I do everything myself, from the designs, to the manufacturing, delivery, creative space, research in terms of safety and quality... everything.
Yeahhhh I bought my supplies from a couple of different websites for a small batch of candles (18 total) and cost of supplies per candles were high😬 lesson learned
This is extremely informative, will have to watch it again. Thanks SH
Thanks so much! Saw you reviewing other products and now I'm seeing you everywhere. So grateful for you sharing since I'm just getting started :)
I price my candles with common sense. I make a lot of sales and people are happy because the price is reasonable and the amount of product is satisfying. My friend who sells too put prices way too high because he is focused on money solo. Guess who is making more sales in month. I think you need to be fare and smart. That way everyone is happy and your pockets are full.
Thank you so much very eye opening 🙂
Quality is 🔐 key
Great info. I'm just now starting out. Just ordered $500 worth of material and just now completed a few different scents. I see them on etsy so cheap and I was wondering if I had made the right decision to even go into this so heavy. But after watching your video, I have hope again. I spent alot on material and labeling to just get $6-$8 out of a 8oz like I'm seeing posted on Etsy. So thank you for this information.
@kelly have you started ?
Same here! I spent close to $500 and I was considering selling them for $8 out of fear that $10 was too steep but I think I should definitely charge $16 now.
Same here, but have not started yet. Have you started and how did it go
@@alicebussybee please let me know, I am also going to try
I think I'm also selling too low.
What about adding a "free shipping when you order $25 or more"? Its appealing and encourages larger purchasing. :)
Awesome video. Very very helpful and thorough. 👍👍👍👍
Great video, thanks! We are struggling to apply the same rule of thumb to our luxury line. If we did, we would be at 50.00 for a 120z. Candle because the cost of the supplies is so much higher. I’ve wondered if we should use that formula on an average candle to determine a fair mark up then mark our candles up by that amount in order to not price ourselves out of the market. It’s hard! We also don’t want to undercut our fellow Chandlers.
Thanks for this video definitely great Information for me! I’m just getting started in the candle making business. ‼️
If you haven’t before can you do a video on shipping in the summer or do you just not do it? Thank you!!!
Great information thanks for sharing
Do you charge sales tax? I never hear you talk about that.
And could you make a video on the bookkeeping end? How to do it? That would be great!
Yessss!🙌🏻I would love a video on the business side of things! I want to start selling this year, but I'm afraid of missing something legal that I probably need. I need someone to lay it out and say THESE are the things you need to legally get in place first.
Look up an accountant in your area who specializes in working with product makers and consult with them. Laws vary from state to state so you want to make sure you're getting information that's accurate for you and your situation.
Thank you so much for this video, it helped me tremendously!
As someone with an insurance background, it makes me so uncomfortable to see people in the comments asking about insurance questions, taxes, legal questions. These really need to be directed to licensed people who know your situation, because someone on the internet is going to claim they know something and it’ll be wrong, and you’ll pay the price. It’s not legal to advise on many of these things without a license, even for Jeff (not that he does 😊). Check with your local SBA, that’s always a good start, and usually free!
Nichole C Could not agree more which is why I never really answer these questions. I am absolutely not qualified to talk about insurance in any way. I just tell people it’s a good thing to have and research providers.
Standley Handcrafted Exactly! 😊
Are you selling your amazing, absolutely amazing candles on EBAY, ETSY, or AMAZON !!!!!! You are a big player now im shocked to not see your candles in WHOLEFOODS, WALMART, TARGET, etc
those soulless big box stores are not great market places for handcrafted wares
Do you label your candles by size of the container (8oz) or by the oz of wax that makes the candle? I have 8 oz Anchor mason jars but they only actually hold 5.2 oz of soy wax. Do I label it a 5oz candle or an 8 oz candle?
You’d list the weight of the wax.
That's what I like about candle science they break everything down by the piece. So you kind of know where your at price wise per candle.
How does one find an accurate scale for both candles and postage? Every scale I’ve looked at has at least 100 reviews saying “this thing is not accurate.”
Hello Jeff. Where do you get your labels done for your candles? I've been making candles for about a year now trying to correct how I do them. I think I have it down for the most part. I'm just looking for best labels, and for different sizes. Do you make them or order them?
Hi Jeff ! I'm Lisa. I'm using my husband's phone to talk to you. I am new to the candle making business and I don't know what to do about charging for my candles in Jelly jars ! I have jelly jars like the ones you use and I'm charging people$5 for them I don't want to lose money but I don't want to run people away with the price I charge either. Help! I've got 7 oz tins , and I will be getting jars with silver on them and I think they are 10.5 oz. Please Help!
This got really confusing around the 7:00 mark
The editing got a bit messy!
What is a good labeling company?? Ive heard about Avery...any other reputables???
What stores have the best premium fragrances?
Kanalani Cuesta Wooden Wick Co has some nice ones.
Candlescience has great fragrances, fast shipping and perfect customer service. For example, you could ask them this question, what are their most sophisticated fragrances? And they will answer you immediately. In addition their prices are very reasonable.
Mio Sustentable CS is amazing
@@miosustentable3187 thanks for your response.
@@StandleyHandcrafted I subscribed today, over the last week or so I have decided to start a for now home based business making scented candles. Seen your video with your daughter earlier and it was the best thing I could have done today.
Hi! This is a loaded question. i live in Canada. . Would you calculate the cost of each material (wax, FO, etc) in USD + then convert COG in CAD for one candle? Or convert each material item in CAD + then do the math as is? Do this include the conversion value in shipping? Hope this makes sense.
Xoelle Cavelle Wilson I would convert the individual items then calculate.
Enjoyed the video as usual very informative. A question that is off the subject, does anyone know where I can get a really good Mulberry fragrance oil?
keeping it simple Lone Star has a good mulberry scent. www.lonestarcandlesupply.com/mulberry.html
Thank you Robert I will try it.
keeping it simple you’re very welcome sir. Right now Lonestar is the only place I’m ordering scents from. The shipping is low cost and the scents are amazing.
Robert good to know thanks for the tip
keeping it simple you’re very welcome
Hi, how much would you recommend selling a 32 oz. candle at? I haven’t started making labels yet and won’t be able to have any made any time soon.
How do you feel about using Mica in candles? I really want to try it!
I just tried it a few days ago. It doesn’t work.
I haven't heard really anyone task to much about the cost of electric or gas for melting the wax. If you're doing this often that's a real cost which is s bit hard to figure out but I THINK important. What do you think?
It is definitely important to figure out because it will impact your overall profit.
You can also write those costs off with taxes as well.
I only sell locally and sell my jelly jars for $10 if they buy more than one it’s $9. I could never see those for $16. I wouldn’t sell anything.
Thomas1234 Gaming certain areas may not have room for a higher priced candle
I believe if you don't have a shipping cost and are in one central location were customers can pick up only then $10 is not too bad however moving slowly to $12 may not be a bad idea either
What liability insurance do you have? Does anyone have any ideas of a good insurance company with reasonable pricing for this?
X Marieeh17 X i would like to know too!
I'm about to start making soy candles
I like your videos, but please work on your editing. So many comments get repeated and then some start but get cut off. Thank you for the info though 👍
paul wilkinson I might of rushed the editing in this a bit.
@@StandleyHandcrafted haha, no worries, keep up the good work 👍 question for you though. Nothing to do with this video but whilst I have your attention. When mixing fragrances, Is there ever a time you use more top notes than base or middle? Example 60/40 split top/base.
paul wilkinson For all of my mixing I start to just mix and see how it goes. Once you start using a bunch it oils you start to recognize which are really strong, like a sandalwood, and know if you want that to stand out or not or to be muted. I have definitely mixed some where the base was too strong. Lol
@@StandleyHandcrafted thank you, vanilla seems very strong. I've only just started so only have 4 oils to play with but not going bad so far lol. Thanks for your help
Will people actually even buy a 8 oz candle for $16??
If you market then well and have them in the rights areas, absolutely.
It costs you $2.5 to make a candle?? Mine costs $6.50 to make a 5 oz here in Canada🥲😭
Ouch! Are supplies expensive up there?
@@StandleyHandcrafted no I think it’s the shipping that bumps up the price :(
I haven’t launched my business yet but I’m planning to sell my 5 oz around $22 only cuz I’m too scared to price it for $26
My man, what happened to your fitness level. I saw a recent video first, then I saw a 2017 video with the kid, then another recent one. I'm a trainer and various fitness instructor. My man, whatever you're doing, it's time to rediscover the old you! Get that other Jeff back, we all go through things, and I know we all have a story, but it's time. Start with food choices, gut health, processed food avoidance. I just found a new site Chemical Free Body. I heard them on Tin Foil Hat Podcast. I haven't dived in yet to the site, but it's another company on my list of health. Jimmy Church with Fade to Black radio also sponsors Get the Tea line. Whatever you do, it's time brother. Blessings. Get those biceps back.
Man it’s been a rough couple years, lots of personality life things and falling off the wagon for the diet.
I originally lost 160lbs and kept it off for about 6 years. Then the last couple years took a new turn. I’m actually back getting it all back now that life is back in full swing. Just ordered some new weight for the garage from Rogue so I can start lifting again. I miss it. Getting meal prep ready so I can get my macros back in line. I have to fix this again.
@@StandleyHandcrafted awesomeness, and thank you for your videos. I've been trying to start body butters and salves, and lip balm, deodorant too. Candles are the last thing I want to start. You have sparked that drive to just go for it. Life is quite a journey, I think as we go through this chaos, we need constant reminders to just live to the utmost. Live and love hard. I look forward to seeing your videos more. Have a great night.
@@detoxinglifepodcast Thank you and good luck with your business too! Let me know if there are any videos you’d like to see that could help.
How big is the candle you have in this video? Would $16 be too much for an 8oz?
The candle in the video is an 8oz. From what I understood from his video, ~$16 for an 8oz candle should be the starting point and adjusting higher or lower depending on the market.
These videos are so informative and I'm learning so much, but can you do better edits? During the important information you're reoeating and repeating and starting over and over almost like a blooper special right in the middle of the video and I get lost, esp when you're doing math.
All those numbers lost me tbh
Free shipping is a misnomer. Nothing is free. The customer always pays, and it is fairer to just charge shipping outright rather than hide it in the product price.
Agree, especially with shipping prices rising all the time. A company certainly can't ship for free.
Amanda G People love bearing shipping is free how ever you do it.
People love to believe they are getting something for free, even when it actually isn't. So called free shipping often ends up costing the customer more, as the product is priced higher, so they are tricked into believing it is better value, when it isn't.
Amanda G If you’re selling your product on shelves at $16 and online for $16, then offering free shipping to online orders that’s a good value and you’re not really hiding anything. Now, I would agree with you there is a point at which your product can be priced too high for no reason but in this case I don’t think $16 is that price. Like I said in the video I actually have some of these jelly jars at $10 and I am hurting myself honestly with that price. That’s too low for a product like this.
I do get what you’re saying about taking advantage of the situation and the customer but at this price I don’t think it goes into that category
Just as a business point of view, I’m willing to be that if you had a product for $11 with $5 shipping and a product for $16 with free shipping the customer would go for the higher prices one by a large margin.
@@amandag5072 It's not a trick. Its called marketing. Also, OBVIOUSLY it is included in the cost. I'm assuming grown ppl with brains are buying the products, not children.
Awesome advice 👍👏