wood_elf

I didn't mean it was simple to make candles, just that candles themselves are simple (compared to say a television or something). I'm a bit of a luddite so candles appeal to me in this way.

Meg_10, Not sure what gave you the impression that I saw candle making as an "over night deal", but thanks anyways, I guess...? It is a bit funny. Someone says "lets be positive" and people come out of the woodwork shouting "how dare you! it is HARD this is HARD stuff, you will fail!". The funny thing is that I never said I thought it was easy Success begins with positive thinking. If you did not think you could do it, you would never try.

Good luck to you too cybersix, peace & light wood_elf

Are there any Canadians here who run a candle business? I was wondering how business insurance works here, as all the info on this board that I've been able to find pertains to the US and the UK. Thanks!

Hi cybersix! I am sorry that you are frustrated that you have not been able to produce good candles after four years of testing, that must be really disappointing. I don't know why you are wasting your time or money either.

Thanks for your stories everyone who has replied so far, a lot of you brought a smile to my heart. It really is an adventure isn't it. I love the idea of making candles and selling them, it is such an ancient craft and trade. And so very simple too. There is just something so sacred about burning candles, as so many of our ancestors have done in the past. Wishing all of you who replied success with your business and craft. --wood_elf

Thanks everyone who shared and kept things positive like I asked! To everyone else: thanks for your concern but I am disappointed that you did not honor my request to keep this thread a positive place only. Of course you are right that when you make a business the whole picture counts. But this thread was not entitled "lets look at the whole picture with regards to starting a business, good and bad". After this thread I was going to today make another one to look specifically at the pitfalls of starting a business and to ask everyone to share their wisdom in that regard. Personally I am well aware of the pitfalls of a business (but not a candle business) having started one before. This thread was for sharing positive vibes only about success stories and encouragement. I just thought it would be nice to have a place to share positivity. It is one of the most important things to have when you are starting a new business. It helps tremendously to surround yourself with positivity and supporting individuals. Anyways thanks for your advice none the less everyone. I understand that most of you proffered your advice out of genuine concern. But maybe try to "lighten up a little" You know we really are just a bunch of weird aliens hurtling through space on a pretty rock. Love ya, wood_elf

I am just starting this thread to ask everyone that runs a candle business or who sells candles to share their story with us. How did you get started? What kind of selling do you do (consignment, wholesale, craft shows etc)? Do you make candles for a living? How did you know you wanted to start a candle business? Do you enjoy it? How many candles do you sell a year? Or anything else you can think of! Lets keep this thread positive everyone! There are a million reasons why not to do something, but the people who look at things that way are in the end the ones who never do it because they don't bother trying

Thanks for all your replies. Does anyone here actually live in an apartment and run a candle business out of it?

Hi motohaley, thanks for your reply. I think you're right that the best bet would be to just get insurance somewhere else for the candle stuff. I guess I should just stay positive and not worry about things too much Who knows what will happen

Hi everyone, I am about to start making candles and I live in an apartment (renting). Does anyone here that makes candles live in an apartment? I was wondering if you had to inform your insurance company that you were doing so, and if you did were you allowed to? Here is why I am worried. I know that this probably won't be for quite a while (you do not have to lecture me well intentioned person, as I have read about a million threads outlining this, lol) but I intended to someday sell my candles online if I really enjoy making them and I start producing some really nice ones. To do this I would need product liability insurance, which means I would need to be an official business. Then I read my lease agreement and it states that if I want to run any kind of business or trade in my apartment, I would have to get the landlord to sign an agreement. Then I realized I would then have to inform my insurance company that I insure the apartment through, and they could say "no way jack" and even possibly refuse to provide insurance for me anymore (as I've read here on the boards)! This broke my heart because I was really set on doing this. Then I wondered if I am even allowed to just make candles for fun here. Thought I'd ask, anyone else in a similar situation? Also I was wondering if insurance companies are really strict about soap making too, or is it just candles? Thanks kindly and much love, wood_elf