dai

hello folks, perhaps i may have asked some of my Q's previously on the olden forum but here goes.. 1) i'm interested in 100% natural candles but desire the rustic effect - is this no more difficult using veg wax? 2) with regards to my 'natural' theme i'll obviously have to use EO's. yet some of my candles will require "native" scents such as sage etc - are these available? could i produce my own etc? 3) are there any recommended Canadian sellers of specific wax melters? i appreciate i can use a presto pot but am interested in purchasing a small melter (without having to pay the crazy 17% Canadian import tax of course!) thanks in advance, have fun today

i suffer from anxiety disorder now so i rarely speak to anyone or leave the house (!!) but i was a software salesman by profession and did many presentations to the chairmen of large international companies. i never got used to them but there are methods which were of help: - firstly, be yourself. you want these strangers as friends so talk with and not merely to them. - once you have your speech written then reduce it to just 'pointers', simple code words on a small card, which prompt you on to the next topic. - if there are many people and you're feeling nervous then look at peoples' foreheads and not their eyes - they won't notice the difference and it enables you to keep 'eye contact' without actually having to look into their eyes. - slow down. it's common for one to rush a presentation if nervous or new to it, take deep breaths and try to relax. you don't want to come across as a robot which spews out a sales pitch at high speed. - lastly, enjoy that amazing feeling when the party is over - you got through it, perhaps made a bit of money, had a fun time and wondered why you were nervous in the first place! good luck and best wishes

additionally you can use www.whois.com to check for domain name availability. incidently, http://www.lunarpages.com is a web host which supports many technologies (eg. the ability to have a php BB forum just like this one) and also includes a free domain name to subscribers.

from my marketing background i understand that every one of your customers who love the product will tell a further nine others. it's not just a candle that you sold, it was your company, its potential and the quality etc. congrats!

what an excellent thread, i'm yonks away (a British term meaning 'a rather large amount of time'!) from doing the same but the info here has been most helpful.

laineval, forgive me but i'm quite new here - are you just adding Eau de Toilette to the candles? i've never heard of this, sounds interesting. anyway, as for 'men scents' can i suggest "big mac", "breaking wind under the blanket" and "new car smell"?

as a side note, i think it would be a benefit to all if this Business Forum had a sticky FAQ thread. it could cover the basic and general questions regarding profit, selling, web hosting and links to the relevant sites concerning country/state legal practises etc. sounds like another project (oh no .. don't get me started!)

i was actually a member here on the old forum (as the faerie king) and asked a ton of Q's but, just before diving in, i stopped to do another project (writing a book - i don't exactly pick the easy options do i?!!) and, no, the book isn't finished either!

hmm, 'people like that'.. thanks Liz, some interesting points for consideration there. 'can I take criticism?' yes, i'm married..

hello folks, i'm considering making candles myself but it must be for profit. can i ask if other members have found hand-made candles (and hence, the increased price) really appeal to buyers? also, do "for-profit" members make enough money to ensure candle-making is a worthwhile business venture? (i realise i haven't expressed my love for candles here but it's purely a business question.) thanks for your replies in advance, have fun peeps