Where Do Candle Making Businesses Get Their Supplies?

Are you wondering where candle-making businesses get their supplies? If YES, here are 4 places candle-making businesses get their supplies in 2023. Successful candle makers are artisans who pay utmost attention to the sensitive aesthetics of their product line. This business revolves around the numerous forms of wax, containers, color, and fragrance additives. You can source these supplies at low per-unit costs in bulk.

Candle-making businesses are known to sell candles either directly to consumers, or indirectly through resellers, such as boutiques, gift shops, and other arts and crafts retail venues. Candle making is a very familiar field, therefore, you have to make your products unique through the kinds of candles you sell (pillar, floating, votive, tea, etc.), or through the quality of your offering. You can also experiment with scents, colors, and molds to make something with a different appeal and worthy of your pricing.

In this line of business, your products will more or less sell for as little as a few dollars apiece or as much as $20 or more. Note that your pricing will be contingent on the quality and breadth of your product line, your audience, marketing objective, and competition. If your objective is to be the lowest seller, then you have to ensure you source your raw materials at very competitive prices and that you also understand what your competitors are charging at all times.

Have it in mind that you need to source wax, wicks, coloring agents, scents, and other materials in bulk, to leverage the benefits of maximum per-unit savings. If your business objective is to sell a more premium product line, the price may not matter as long as your products stand out.

Primarily, your end customer will be anyone who wants candles. Some people have pragmatic needs—such as for illumination in case of a power blackout, while others just need a sensual experience. You can also look out for churches that use candles for decoration of altars or retailers who are eager to add a dramatic effect to their showrooms.

Also, note that your business can appeal to resellers who can buy your merchandise in bulk. These will include store owners in your local area or beyond, or rather businesses you meet at arts and crafts trade shows. If you prefer speaking with your customers face to face in a location where they can experience the beauty of your products, then consider art and craft shows, flea markets, festivals and fairs, and related venues.

It is important that you understand the basics of eCommerce and how to create an online presence. Also, note that display presentation skills are necessary both online (in the quality of your photos and your written product descriptions), and in physical displays, if you intend to sell from booths at shows.

Common Places Candle Making Businesses Get Their Supplies

Finding good and reliable suppliers is a must for almost every business. Note that without the necessary materials to make your candles the way you want them, you will have a daunting time growing. Your candle-making business needs several supplies and here are common places to source these supplies.

1. Manufacturers

A good number of candle-making businesses source their supplies through company salespeople or independent representatives who handle the wares of several different companies. Note that prices from these sources tend to be the lowest unless your location makes shipping freight expensive.

2. Distributors

Distributors are known to source products in quantity from numerous manufacturers and warehouse the goods for sale to businesses or individuals who need them. Although their prices tend to be higher than a manufacturer’s, these businesses can supply candle-making businesses with small orders from a vast range of manufacturers.

Notably, a lower freight bill and fast delivery time from a nearby distributor often atone for the higher per-item cost. Distributors that aren’t manufacturers act as middlemen, obtaining products from manufacturers and supplying them to other businesses.

3. Independent Craftspeople

In the candle-making business, exclusive distribution of unique creations is frequently offered by independent craftspeople who sell through reps or at trade shows. Independent craftspeople are known for a one-of-a-kind intricacy, along with handmade detailing. Have it in mind that sourced materials from an independent craftsperson are ideal for projects involving low-volume purchasing where turn-times are a lower priority.

4. Import Sources

So many candle-making businesses source foreign goods from a domestic importer, who function more like a domestic wholesaler. Depending on your familiarity with overseas sources, you may consider traveling abroad to source your goods. Importers are known to acquire their materials from one country and then sell those same materials in a different country.

When you source materials through importers, high-volume orders in standard sizes are where you will experience the most benefit. The high volume also helps to cancel out the costs acquired through shipping and transporting the materials. Howbeit, it is still not rare to buy from a wholesaler or distributor who sources from importers as well.

Conclusion

Always note that there is more to starting a business than just registering it with the state. As a candle-making business, aside from attracting customers, your goal should be to make repeat customers of them. Since candles are disposable items that have to be replaced steadily, have it in mind that your existing customer relationships can be very profitable over time. Owing to that, make sure you satisfy their needs and that they love the quality of the products they get from you.