How many of you get so

[Lisa]

frustrated with all the legal stuff (trademark, business name etc) for making candles that you have thought of not making any? I am to that point and i haven't been doing it long.

Hugs

[mizbizzyb]

Not really, because I love my craft. This is my passion.

[Sara]

Just wait until you try B&B.

It can be frustrating, but with any business there comes regulations, etc. It is what sets business apart from hobby. It might seem overwhelming at first. Don't rush things, take it slow - there's a lot to learn and there's time. This isn't a get rich quick, first one there makes the most kind of thing. It is about learning, improving and perfecting (or at least trying to perfect).

[SatinDucky]

That's the good thing about starting out making candles as a hobby first, then get into the business part slowly. When I grow up, I hope to be a real candle business

[Donita]

I have to have all kinds of business liscenses....city, county, vendor....drives me nuts.....that's the price I pay for "having my own business". People still don't think I work. LOL Donita

[Scented]

Actually learning the business end of it helps. That doesn't deter me from making candles as much as my other job does lol.

[sudsnwicks]

I find the business end of it very frustrating. But it has not deterred me. Every now and then, I'll pick up a book from the library to learn some new topic pertaining to business e.g. accounting.

[Mozzie]

I think that legislation is a lot tougher in the US than in Oz. Here, I simply need to register a business name and that's about it, oh and keep proper records (but that's only if it is a business and not a hobby). Even as a hobby I'm allowed to make sales, I just can't claim expenses on my tax return. There also doesn't seem to be any legislation in place about warning labels, size or weight of item, etc. In fact, I've bought tons of candles from sellers as diverse as stall-holders to large department stores and very rarely is there any type of information or labelling attached apart from the name of the scent and the price. It's more a case of buyer beware and use your common sense. I didn't even know that votives were meant to be burnt in a holder and it was only luck that the dish I put them in was large enough to catch all the melted wax - phew!! Thanks to you guys though, I am making sure that I give out a candle warning sheet with every candle I sell - better safe than sorry. Having said all this, I don't expect that I've made you feel any better. Sorry.

[RobinInOR]

No reason why you can't just make them as a hobby for yourself and friends and family. Nothing says you have to sell and have a business. Lots of people cut back when they burn out or don't want to do what a business takes, and go back to having fun again.

[cindym]

I get frustrated sometimes but you have to learn in bits and pieces, I was lucky to find an accountant my first year that did my books and also helped me learn the ropes , I am attempting to do my own books this year, and I hate it but I have learned so much it is well worth it. Go slow as Robin said you may not want to do it as a business, I think that thought crosses my mind 3 or 4 times a week. Then I remember what managing a company with 30 employees was like, I am at a point where I think I want to get a part time job as I get to feeling very isolated at times.