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26 minutes ago, Incendia said:

Thanks for replying.  I think you said this would be an online business. Do you have an up and running website we could look at?

 

Since this will be a new business, how do you intend to attract paying customers? 

I do have some parked domains intended for the endeavor, a few too many actually. Currently utilizing a high-end home decor site as I lack the full-offering I'm aiming for.

To all:

Honestly - I'm not here to expand on how I choose to operate. I believe anyone who has genuine interest would have expressed so and conversation would be evolving (as it has with few). I consider this one closed. Moderation/Admin's please close the thread when possible.

21 minutes ago, Incendia said:

Have you ever sold 'artsy' products before? Or for that matter, anything else?  Please elaborate.

 

Thanks.

Artsy as in deco. items is new territory that I've broken into recently. Variety of wall art / refurbished / antiqued tables etc. that I have sold. Working on other concepts but quite honestly need to hone the skills in certain areas before I'm comfortable representing the products. I sold candles & soap semi-regular but that has been over a decade ago since I was actually in stores actively pushing product. More recently I've been in the corporate world, making money for someone else, industrial products department averaging $29-$32M annually solely in my area of accountability (power/navy/nuclear environment). Alongside my corporate time I also managed a small 5-10 person local service business that handled property management, which did involve selling, but of home and commercial services.

The short answer, yes, but a work in progress.

2 hours ago, Trappeur said:

Mark,

 

As Clear Black said in her post, she as well as myself and I'm sure everyone else still don't know how exactly how products are going to be offered to consumers (customers)???  I posted a lot of questions that you answered that were in my mind just very evasive.  You answered but didn't answer the way we all could understand.  I feel like you are side stepping everyone's questions.  Getting right to the point here with out taking offense, you are asking people who are interested to private message you for details......Why can you not just state what you are doing?  Are you making your own website that you are going to name "Joe Blows Here and Tomorrow" (just using for example) and you are just going to purchase merchandise from different people.    If you are, that's what we are asking....Then you will be purchasing "wholesale".  We all understand that.  People are asking about branding as a lot of people (myself included) private label.  Nothing wrong with that.  Or are you going to offer products that people leave their own labels on and just offer to the public?  Opening or planning on a new business venture is wonderful.  I can understand if you are in the planning stage and everyone else does.   WE are not asking for your company name at this time.  We all want to know EXACTLY what your post is all about.  You said that you think this is a forum for DIY and hobbyests and not people who are business minded.  I beg to differ with that.  This forum is yes comprised of all of that....but there sure is a lot of people here who are BUSINESS people, who sell wholesale (as myselt) to stores,  there are many people here who have store fronts,  lots have websites, sell on Etsy, Ebay, you name it.........it is all here....You have peaked peoples interests here and people who want to make $$$$$.....well who doesn't?  So I don't know what the secret is about here, [Mark: My business model] but you just need to be more definite here and come right to the point and tell us all (not in private messages) what you are doing and want. [Mark: Review your products/potentially purchase for resale]  You know what I mean?  You came to the forum and put up a post more or less giving an outline of something that you are looking for....But we really don't understand.  By being very evasive, you are going to turn people off like there is something funny going on here like at this point I'm starting to feel like that....

 

Trappeur

Trappeur - All due respect, you've taken something and blown it out of proportion. Allow me be direct (and repeat myself) as you've requested.

It's the internet, it's the US, there is free speech, yet the thread still doesn't benefit from keyboard warrior posts.

2 hours ago, moonshine said:

I have a question....

if I were to send you a sample of one of my candles with my label and my company information and website and it fits what your looking for - would my information stay on the product or are you looking to re-brand it as your own 

The product stays as it is produced.

No intention on re-branding a thing; not a fair practice without a written agreement.

This rolls back to why I would seek the best contenders possible. As a retailer, I could benefit from a strong product, as the manufacturer, you gain reputation.

Private-labeling (etc.) is common and advantageous to some degree, but my thought is it does not fit with the authenticity I'm seeking.

3 hours ago, GoldieMN said:

As a successful business person, I would want to know the answers to many of the questions asked here.  I would think it would be easier to clear some of those questions up on the forum rather than have to answer them over and over again in private messages.  

 

It is confusing, to me, when you say you want "one-off" products, but then you need participants to have the ability to "replenish" as well as provide you with "small, but bulk, orders."  I work with up to fifteen local artisans and know for sure there is at least one person who would be interested.  However, in the very least, I would have wanted to know answers to the above questions first.  We aren't asking for your business plan.  Just trying to figure out how this would work to our advantage as well as yours.

 

Goldie

Goldie - to be as concise as possible. I'm looking to procure and resell.

I'm not just asking the same questions in PM's repeatedly, but I would like to understand each person's situation a bit further rather than them broadcasting it to everyone.

View it how you prefer...however please give thought to this: If you were a buyer/planner for a larger company and seeking an item, would you gather all the possible suppliers on one conference call at once? Then ask them all to describe their processes, their quality program, their capacity, their OTD, their current supported industries, their minimums, their pricing (etc.)?

6 hours ago, Incendia said:

Will you show us some samples of your work?

 

Thanks.

Sure. Recent focus is not exactly in the same vein as what is discussed on this forum (wall art); sadly I don't have that many candles around any longer, other than duds in which I have crates of but I'd rather not show off!

As noted earlier, I'll be in touch with the few that did reach out and likely proceed to communities focused on different genres of work. Thanks for everyone's time and input - but I believe this forum lends itself more to the hobbyist/DIY'er than business leaders and/or crafters..

2 hours ago, Clear Black said:

Im still confused as to exactly how the products will be offered to consumers. If you do not plan to have a brick and mortar storefront, I would be very hesitant handing over my brand/product and just allowing you(or whomever) to market and sell them as you please. For someone like myself who is trying to build brand recognition this could pose a huge problem if I didnt agree with how my brand was being sold or marketed. At least with a retail/wholesale account you know first hand how the products you hand over to the buyer will be sold.

 

If that makes sense I dunno lol

It does make sense, and I do appreciate your concerns. What I think is most important right now is that I'm not asking for anyone to "hand over" anything. I'm looking for examples of craftsmanship, authenticity, top-quality, and as previously mentioned hungry entrepreneurs.

The best advice I can put forth right now is, let's not put the cart before the horse; no anxieties about how your product would be marketed, how your brand could be affected, etc. I understand and appreciate these concepts, but we are not there yet. No contracts, no gimmicks, and at this point zero investment short of using a few moments of your time presenting your work. In a nutshell, this is just the preliminary showcase. In many cases, the time it has taken to express skepticism could've been replaced by a summary of services.

Thank you to those who have chosen to send forth their company information/product exmaples, it is both enlightening and encouraging, and I will be in further contact.

1 hour ago, TallTayl said:

Thanks for the feedback. It does help. 

Glad to help, can provide more in the future.

Who is is your target market? That often helps me figure out if an opportunity like this is a good fit for my brand. 

Demographic would be mid to up scale, dual/expendable income established families primarily (like most consumable luxury goods), however I would aim to eventually have items to meet multiple segments; one focus at a time though.

Also so would drop shipping be considered? Some of the unique items I make (pottery and pottery candles) are heavy and fragile enough to require special packing methods. 

Not my original thought, but just as the consignment question above, it would be optimal in certain situations. Of course this strongly reinforces the requirement to have a reliable source relationship to replenish/ship timely enough that the transaction is still seamless. Few customers like the idea of their order being out-sourced to another party for lack of a better term. I've utilized drop-shipping arrangements in the past (in my career), and geographically speaking it can be advantageous but on the other hand it can really create customer support concerns.

 

Hope it helps,

Mark

 

3 hours ago, Trappeur said:

Hello Mark,

 

So is this business venture that is in the planning stages something you are putting together like what Wayfair does or Amazon?   Is this the kind of business you are developing?

Amazon/Wayfair, negative, very much the opposite intention. While Amazon does at least offer it's own seller stores for handmade items, it's not the feeling I'm going for. I want to bring back the appreciation and value for authentic craftsmanship.

What do you mean you are looking for one-off products?  Example?

One-off products, taken exactly how it sounds. Non mass-produced. Perhaps its a one of a kind decor piece, wall art...etc.  Then again, hand-poured candles would also qualify in their own right in the essence that they are not something you can just pickup in a random big-box store.

Are you going to have all sorts of products or just candles and soaps?

Strong focus on covering all areas possible, my personal start was within candles and soap, however the overall mission is eventually offering hand-crafted goods from every imaginable field.

You say you are going to do a retail front with US based products.  Does that mean you will be opening a store?

No intent to have a brick and mortar store front. My area could feasibly support it, but from a lean start-up perspective, I'd rather invest in quality product and a marketing funnel to help launch the operation.

When do you think you will be doing this?

On a small scale, I've already begun - I have my own LLC that focuses more on up-cycling/waste reduction, but plan to umbrella into a different, more suitable name and theme once I have reliable sourcing acquired.

Will  you be buying the products outright or is this a consignment thing?   So that would mean you would be looking for wholesale if you are buying outright.

I would prefer to buy outright, the option of consignment could always be there, perhaps for larger ticket items. As for candle/soap, I would see no need to consign that as carrying that kind of inventory is not as large of a burden.

I know you say you prefer to have one on one conversations, but I'm sure there are a lot of us here on the forum that are thinking the same questions so if you could give us some more detailed information, we would appreciate it as I have NO IDEA what you are developing.

I agree with you, but everyone's situation is different and I would appreciate the time to get to know the people behind the product and why they've chosen their applicable path. My intention was to place a feeler post out there (and in other areas), in hopes that passionate and hungry entrepreneurs would be the ones to reach out; these are the kind of individuals I need. It is unlikely that a part-time, partially invested, work at home hobbyist is going to have a mutually beneficial business relationship for very long. In reality, if I thought I could learn and do a multitude of crafts myself...I would, but I realize the great potential of bringing in experience and different creative views to really showcase what is possible. Without exactly detailing my business plan for the world to see, I still hope this has helped shed some light on any lingering questions.

Thanks.

 

Trappeur

 

 

53 minutes ago, TallTayl said:

For me, I would need more info to make sure this is a legit endeavor. I have no idea the requirements, expectations, or profit potential to decide if it is worth my while.  

Thanks for the feedback. I can understand the skepticism, it is the internet after all.

In reality, I started making candles & soap in 2004, but moved away from it to pursue the college/corporate ($) life. I had a good amount of success and despite living a "better" lifestyle, I was generally unhappy. Moving forward, I want to follow a passion, not the dollar so much.

My aspiration here, is to grab the interest of anyone who might have a smaller business but professional product, hopefully from many different backgrounds and eventually assemble a retail front with US-based, home-made, relatively one-off products. It's in the planning (and even dreaming) stage, but when you've wanted to do something for over a decade, it just feels about time to pursue it.

My immediate goal is to make contacts and evaluate the products of those out there who are looking to expand in different directions, and find the right fit(s) for each area of the business. I actually grew up just miles from one of the largest, most successful, and over-priced candle manufacturers in the US; it's time for some authentic competition. So if you're out there reading this, and you or someone you know has a proven hand made product that can steadily be supplied, I want to hear from you!

I'm more than happy to share further details, but in reality, I'll save that for one on one conversations with those with the passion to move forward. Hope it helps.

Bump up - Have received one legitimate interest. Any other crafters looking to further their business or am I barking up the wrong tree?

Hello,

I've been around the candle/soap making (and other craft industries, glass, woodwork, etc.) for a number of years.

I however have always held a full-time job that dominated my life. Now at the point where I'm considering embarking on an endeavor to bring together some of the best handmade crafts from artisans in the US. Without going into major detail, I am seeking reputable suppliers who could meet deadlines for initially small, but bulk, orders within different crafts.

I do realize this forum is more niche to candles/soap (long time follower) but I thought it would be a good idea to check the level of interest here.

If this sounds like something you could potentially be interested in, please feel free to reply or send me a message regarding what you specialize in, and what makes you unique, in addition to your geographical location.

Thank you!

Mark

I would be glad to help, but first here is a briefer that may or may not help some. As others have suggested, I think searching the topic will help give a better idea of equipment, setups, and techniques employed.

Typed this in a hurry as I have to head out, just realized my passion for product photography is still there after a couple years off from shooting on a regular basis! If anyone has questions just post or PM if that is possible.

Camera

While the camera itself holds the power to really make or break an image, in this case it is more so the correct lens and angle combination that create a dynamic and versatile stock/product image. The camera should almost always be mounted on a tripod to achieve the best results and using a remote trigger or time delay if possible. Most modern point and shoot style cameras will suffice but once again a nice DSLR with some accessory and lens options will make a huge difference. The key item to remember in each product shot is to set your white balance to that paper or poster board or whatever white background your are using.

Background

All dependent on the actual product size, but setup can and should be kept as simple a possible. A wide roll of white paper or perhaps a piece of white poster board curved into a 90 degree angle (not creased) and attached to a table top will do well for this. Expensive backdrops are not really necessary, especially at first.

Lighting

Much of the difficulty in shooting products with a white background revolves around blowing out the shadows around your item. To do this avoid using the on camera flash, but instead use supplemental lighting on at least the left and right sides of the product. Top and bottom are very useful too if you have the tools handy. Expensive strobes are not necessary but nice to have, shop lights are actually recommended by many as they are very intense and inexpensive, but do produce a lot of heat so be cautious in their placement. It is also important to not mix light sources, in other words no Incandescent/CFL/LED,etc combinations, this throws off the color temperature of the shot. Even light coverage will soften shadows to a tolerable point but will not give you that truly white/clean background.

Post-processing

With all this considered, it is the post-processing that really makes ties it together. What software is used will vary depending on what is suitable I realize, and can get rather “spendy.” There are plenty of inexpensive and even free applications out there, but what you need is a way to adjust exposure and color levels in order to phase out that last bit of shadow lingering around the item. This will make all the difference in the world and really make your item “pop” into a more crisp view.

Best,

Mark

Can someone recommend a good photographer to photograph candles at a reasonable price? I've tried photographing them myself but just dont want to mess with it. If you have a recommendation, please let me know.

Thanks

Pixie,

What kind of product shots are you going for? Solid white background with an isolated item or with the product in a setting/themed backdrop? I could potentially help you out depending on what's required. If you're still interested in DIY I know some useful tips I could shoot your way when I'm on next.

Mark

Anita,

Fairly small bubbles. As for effect on the candle, no apparent impact on function, but definitely on aesthetics.

Hello folks,

I've recently started experimenting with soy. While I'm not new to candle making in general, but soy is a new beast all together. Years ago I used to produce some beautiful candles with J50, but am interested in staying as natural as possible now. Have poured multiple batches of small container candles with both Xcel and GB464. Used CS's very vanilla, CS ivory dye, and ECO/LX wicks.

My experiences with Xcel have been excellent in terms of adhesion, no frosting, with slightly "crinkled" tops, with very light scent throw, even with generous FO load. Actually had some slight bleeding/sweating occur on top of the candles when exposed to warmer/humid areas. Some air bubbles noticed while burning.

My experiences with GB64 have been a bit worse. Adhesion was great overall, however frosting was prevalent at multiple pour temps, even heated jars and slushy pour temp yielded speckles on the sidewalls of the container. Scent throw was fairly light again, regardless of FO load. Tops were decent, but eventually fell in after test burning due to what appears to be an insane amount of air bubbles!

My main concern is the air bubbles! I never had this problem with paraffin. I pour at lower temps, 100-110(464) 120-130(Xcel), and try to maintain an even cooling rate and steady room temperature around 70-75. I pour slowly and stir slowly/gently in between pours. Never once have I actually seen an air bubble in my pitcher or in the candle as it is setting up. Simple problem, but I could definitely use some advice on resolving it.

I greatly appreciate everyones time and reading this post, I know its probably another echo of all the soy posts but I have not seen much concrete advice on addressing this issue.

Thanks!

Mark