The 84 Candle Rule of starting a candle business

The “84 Candle Rule” suggests that before you begin selling candles, you should create and distribute a significant number—ideally around 84—of candles. This approach allows you to hone your craft and gain experience without the pressure of running a business. This guideline comes from Armatage Candle Company, which advocates that beginners focus on mastering the art of candle-making before diving into the business aspects.

Elaboration:

Mastering the Craft:
The main objective of the 84 Candle Rule is to help aspiring candle makers develop their skills. By experimenting with different wax types, fragrances, and wick sizes, you can learn to produce a consistent and safe product.

Focusing on the Product:
Creating and gifting a large number of candles allows you to gather valuable feedback and refine your recipes without the additional pressure of selling.

Avoiding Early Business Pitfalls:
This rule encourages you to concentrate on your core skill of candle-making before becoming bogged down with business elements like marketing, packaging, and customer service.

Testing and Iteration:
Making 84 candles provides ample opportunity to test your creations, identify potential issues, and iterate on your process.

Free Distribution:
Gifting candles enables you to gather feedback from a broader audience and refine your product according to their preferences.

Not a Hard and Fast Rule:
While the number 84 is a suggestion, you can adjust it based on your learning pace and the complexity of your creations.

Further Steps: Once you have mastered the craft and gained confidence, you can proceed to develop a business plan, choose your sales channels, and set up your online store.

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