DragonWorks

I like Lorrie's idea of Pine Lodge Creations. It really gives you the most flexibilty for future developments. The down side is that it is so flexible it doesn't say what you do.

The Pine Lodge Candle & Bath and the Pine Lodge Scents & Suds doesn't have that issue, but they may cause some logo/banner/advertising issues because of the number of letters making it so long. It makes it harder to balance out a logo and it decreases the readability. I'm running into that issue a bit with our website address:

www.BlackCreekCandleWorks.com

It's a bit hard to read at a distance, which is why I put caps in the middle whenever I can. Some places won't allow that though.

Just my 2 cents....which doesn't buy much these days!

Well all day this lady kept telling people that her candles were 100% soy and blah, blah, blah.

I've found that many people don't know how to sell without being obnoxious. You need to find something that is your "hook" to differientiate your products and stand out from all the others. However, you CAN promote your products by pointing out their features and benefits without sounding hauty and demeaning to other products. Snobbiness isn't necessary, but it is very common.

While I was driving home this evening, the radio DJ had this "story of the day" (usually news that doesn't make the News). I had to laugh and think of this thread. So I went on their website and copied/pasted the story below.

OUR STORY OF THE DAY COMES FROM AUSTRIA, WHERE A YOUNG ROMANTIC BURNED HIS HOUSE DOWN AFTER MAKING A GIANT HEART OUT OF LIT CANDLES FOR HIS GIRLFRIEND. HANNES PISEK, USED 220 CANDLES TO MAKE A HUGE HEART ON THE FLOOR OF HIS LIVING ROOM. HE THEN LIT THEM AND WENT TO PICK HIS GIRLFRIEND UP AT WORK. WHEN THE TWO RETURNED, THEY WERE GREETED BY FIREMEN WHO WERE TRYING TO BRING THE BLAZE UNDER CONTROL. OUR ROMEO NOT ONLY LOST HIS HOME...HIS GIRLFRIEND ALSO LEFT HIM AFTER THE STUNT.

As I said before, never under estimate mankind's ability to find stupid things to do! Tammy, maybe you can use this story in your presentation!

I also quit using them several years ago when a fuse blew out for no apparent reason. When I went into the bathroom the socket around the plug-in was black with soot and it looked like sparks had come from it from the 'burn marks' on the plug in.

I pitched the air freshener and put in a new electric socket and plate....I guess that's why we have fuses! I think that's what stopped a fire in our house.

Nina

One thing you could do is add some pretty craft beads and pearls and then use a heat gun to warm the outside just enough to embed the the string of beads. A row or two around the bottom and top, depending on the height of the pillar. String them first so they are easier to keep up with and keep evenly spaced.

Another thing I have done is to embed a large decorative button into the side. Button doesn't sound very pretty, but I'm not talking about a 4 hole shirt button; more like a 2 inch coat shank button. There are some pretty ones out there. Also craft stores have all kinds of things that would work. Just go browsing all the isles...but thats how I never get out of Michaels for under $60!:rolleyes2

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/static?page=beads

http://www.michaels.com/art/online/displayProductPage?productNum=pc0222&channelid=

I actually like tags better because I don't like company advertizing on things in my house; I prefer the cleaner look of just the candle.

As Angela suggested, I use a business card, but don't fold it: Company name , logo and contact info on the front, safety info on the back. I use small clear labels for the fragrance.

The disadvantage of tags, I think, is that if people take them off and pitch them, they no longer have your contact info. I've tried preventing that by using a pretty 1/8 inch satin ribbon to tie it with, but I have no idea what happens once they take it home.

If you put a label on the lid, they're likely to keep that. I've been considering switching to round labels on the bottom. My jars are flat on the bottom with the lids domed. I don't use Masons, but I think they may be too domed on the bottom, so the lid might be the best place.

N.

Lots of good vibes coming your way...but I'm sure you do have your ducks in a row and it will all work out.

Try to relax just a bit and enjoy it too!

N

Tammy,

In 'another life' I write instruction booklets, brochures, trainning manuals etc. That includes designing the "look and feel", cover, etc.--basically everything except actually doing the printing.

If it isn't too big, if you do the typing of the copy, I can probably create the booklet, set up the pages, and get it ready for print for you--if that's not something you like doing. I have the software if you're interested. I'd do it for permission to use on my website and when I do presentations.

Just email me if you are interested and we can work out the details.

I'm sure you'll do fine!

Just visualize them in their underwear.....hmmmm.... or may not..... depending on the looks of you audience, you might end up laughing too much!

n

Nice job, Lorrie.

I noticed you just started Gift Certificates. We tried that too, and it was a bit of a mess to use online. For example, someone was given a $30 certificate and ordered $25 product. We didn't want to be refunding the extra money, especially since the Certificate was most likely paid for by credit card and we already paid the fee on the whole amount. And how do you get the money back to them? It wasn't their CC to refund the money to. PayPal? That was okay for some, but not others.

We tried re-issuing a certificate for the remaining amount, which meant you had to give them a new certificate number to use in the promotion code bin, but then they weren't happy about not being able to buy something (with shipping) for $5..... oh yuk! Managing the process online just didn't work well.

We quit offering it. It would be much easier with a storefront. I hope your experience is better!

Nina

When you've been doing something as a hobby and then switch over to being a business, it's sometimes hard to mentally switch gears. You have to remember WHY you are giving a freebie.

• Is it a sample to a potential good customer who may give you business in the future?
  
• Will it function as an advertisement (donating a candle center piece to public function, or as an auction item for a non-profit fundraiser)
  
• Is it a 'thank you gift' for a current customer? (like a free votive or tart)
  
• I gave two tealights in a pretty container to 10 people in my office for Christmas---and got $150 in sales from them on my website.

Those (and others) are good reasons for freebies. But friends also have trouble mentally shifting to you being in business, so they may ask without even thinking. If you are giving it to them so they don't have to buy someone else a present, personally, I'd talk to them first. Most of us are nice people with good friends and once we point out that its now a business, they understand.

You just have to decide why you are giving it to them. Because you don't want to say 'no' and possibly hurt the friendship? That's a decision you have to make based on how important the friendship is to you and how comfortable you are with telling people no.

All I can say is that my life has gotten a lot easier since I learned to set limits on my friends' (and family!) expectations for me. It was hard at first, but if I didn't, I'd be giving away the whole business!

Nina

Thanks Tammy. Sound like some good public service too!

These are really more 'burning tips' rather than safety:

• Store candles in zip lock bags to conserve their scent and keep dust off.
  
• Before a dinner party, light your new candles before the guests arrive, then extinguish them. It will be easier to light them later when the guests arrive.
  
• If you don't have a long match or lighter to reach a deep or high candle, light a piece of uncooked dried spaghetti and use it to light the candle.

I'm trying to remember the site that has the stats on fires from candles. I know our fire department is usually on TV around Christmas giving them. Your fire dept. probably has them too. Might be interesting to show that the problem is real.

Good luck with the demo!

Nina

I'm an ICU nurse and there's no limit to mankind's ability to find stupid things to do!

I've even considered:

• Don't run with candles
  
• Do not attempt to heat your house with candles
  
• The flame is extremely hot. Do not attempt to extinguish the flame with your tongue.

As I type, there's a Citi Bank commercial on TV where a guy is on a corded phone and can't reach the gas stove where food is burning so he tries to push the pan off the flame with a straw broom...yup, you got the picture!

Unfortunately, I've seen things more stupid.

Nina

Carmen,

The site does look good.:whoohoo:

I noticed you didn't require a EIN number to register. That is one way you can be sure people aren't just shopping for gifts or personal use. The other thing you might consider is to add to the "Introduction Box" that there is a $200 minimum. That should help people know you truly want wholesale buyers.

Good luck with the site!

Nina

Here are a couple I also use:

Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Never drop wick trimmings, matches or any foreign matter that could burn into the candle container.

Avoid burning candles in drafts. It causes the wick to burn faster and taller.

Are you making a booklet to give out with your candles or offer on a website?

Just curious!

Nina

Christina, I thought your cinnabun was great. Glad to hear it can sell too.

I think its a case of 'right product at the right place at the right time'. Looks like you found that combination!

Nina

I didn't know how big you wanted the letters, but Cow Town Ceramics is the only place I know of. Their smallest is 1 inch. These are glazed, but the bisque is cheaper.

http://www.cowtownceramics.com/glazed_letters.htm

I'm not sure this is what you are looking for, but it might be a start.

Nina :tiptoe:

I agree with Michi on the note taking. I have a notebook for each kind of wax I use and write down ALL the variables everytime plus the results I get. That way I can go back and see which wick I used, fo, etc. It helps me decide where to start the next time I want to do something similar.

I guess that 'obsessive documentation' may stem from my biochemistry background...I treat everything like a science experiment! LOL

But honestly, it has been worth the trouble in the long run. Just create a "system" and use what works for you.

Nina

Do you all put labels on each tealight too? We just have the safety info in the bag...we only sell them by the dozen.

Thanks.

I like the concept...especially for a patio. We have a wok shaped "portable patio fireplace" that we don't use in the summer....too hot for a big fire. But I could see setting one of those in the middle of it and lighting it some summer eve.

When I first saw it, my reaction was "Luke must be the Tim the Toolman Taylor's "More Power" Candleman!

Nina

Thanks Beth,

I came back to this thread tonight to update my post. I was purchasing some graphics today and read their terms of use. This particular graphic source said you could NOT use the graphics "AS a logo" but could use them as 'component parts of an overall design'.

I guess the real message is always read the 'fine print' because it can really vary by the source.

Thanks!

I definitely agree that you MUST get a CPA to do your taxes. Having a CPA do your taxes as an indicator to the IRS that you consider this a 'real business' not just a tax write-off to pay for your hobby. Also a CPA can also help you decide if you need to incorporate. For many people, sole proprietorship is the best choice. I decided to go with LLC (limited liability Corp) rather than full "C" incorporation. There is good and bad about both...you just have to decide what is best in your situation. But, you need to decide that relatively early because it will affect how you are taxed.

There are a number of good business resources out there that are free for small business owners. One I have found helpful is SCORE.

http://www.score.org/

They will help you with mentoring and coaching and they have good online resources for developing a business plan....which is strongly suggest you do. It helps you think through a lot of important things in an organized manner.They have online articles, templates and examples of business plans.

You'll also need a 'for business use only' credit card. If you get one through one of the big banks like Chase/Bankone, they have alot of free business resources on their website.

Check out your resources and don't get overwhelmed...although that's easy to do!

Hope that helps,

Nina

www.BlackCreekCandleWorks.com

If there is anything else I can do to help, feel free to email me directly or through the website.

Nina;)

Hi Kris,

I like your site. I have a couple of suggestions, if you are interested.

One way you can increase you website's visibility on search engines like Google is to use H1 tags on the headers for each product page. That tells the 'bots' that this is the most important thing on the page to say what this page is about.

You can also use a more descriptive title in the meta tag title (in the source code). When I first started my site, I thought the title HAD to be the name of the website, but it doesn't. When you have a name like "Country Classics" it doesn't tell the 'bots' what this site is all about. You can leave your Header on the webpage exactly like it is and then put something like "Country Classic Candles and soaps by Kris". That immediately tells the bots how to start indexing it.

Just some friendly help!

www.blackcreekcandleworks.com

You also have to take care using clip art as part of your company logo. If you just put your logo on business cards, business stationery and website, then you're probably fine (assuming you have obtained the clip legitimately by buying a CD or downloading from a site that gives you permission).

But sometimes people then forget where they got the clip art and later decide to add their logo to their label. That can get you in trouble. If you use clip art in creating a logo, or for that matter anything you use in the business, keep a record of where and when you got the clip art. That way, if you later decide you want it on an item that you sell, you know who to contact to get permission. Many times you can permission, but you need to ask. Depending on the source, they may just give it to you, or they may charge a fee. I had everything from a $5 fee to a $1500 fee requested.

The main thing is that you get permission it in writing and you can't do that if you can't remember where you got it.